The Stress is Killing Me Review: A Good One-Time Watch!

The Stress is Killing Me is a feel-good comedy that dives into friendship, mid-life struggles, and chasing the dreams we left behind for obvious reasons. Written, directed, and produced by Tom Carroll, the film follows a group of eight college friends reuniting for their 20th reunion at the University of New Mexico. What starts as a simple trip down memory lane takes an unexpected turn when they decide to hit pause on their careers for a week and finally give their long-forgotten dream jobs a shot.

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At its core, The Stress Is Killing Me explores the idea that success doesn’t always bring happiness. Sue (April Hartman) and Todd (Theron LaFountain) host the group in a rented house, where a candid dinner conversation reveals that none of them are particularly satisfied with their professional lives. One by one, they confess their true aspirations—Kiki (Carly Christopher), a lawyer, dreams of becoming a yoga instructor, while Will (Barry Landers), a restaurateur who ironically doesn’t cook, longs to be a chef. Others, like Donna (Crystal Thomas), a doctor with artistic ambitions, and Marcie (Lisa Lucas), who fancies herself a sex therapist, add to the mix. The film then follows their often hilarious attempts to step into these new roles, with varying degrees of success.

While the premise is promising and provides a setup for comedy, the execution is inconsistent. Some scenarios land well—like Will’s disastrous cooking attempt—while others, such as Todd’s directing ambitions, fall flat.

Despite its uneven humor, The Stress Is Killing Me thrives on the chemistry of its exceptional ensemble cast. The actors are perfectly cast, seamlessly playing off each other in a way that makes their long-standing friendships feel authentic and lived-in. Carly Christopher shines as Kiki, bringing both warmth and nuance to her role, excelling in both comedic and heartfelt moments. Her subplot with her old flame, Jason, adds an emotional depth to the film, with their unresolved romantic tension standing out as one of the more engaging aspects of the story. This dynamic helps balance the film’s lighthearted nature with moments of genuine sentiment.

However, the film’s biggest weakness lies in Tom Carroll’s writing. While the premise—a reunion with a twist—has plenty of potential, the dialogue often lacks the sharpness and wit needed to elevate the comedy. Some jokes land well, like the group’s forced enthusiasm for Will’s terrible cooking, but others feel predictable or drawn out. The humor shines most when it embraces the absurdity of the characters’ struggles, yet too often, the film opts for easy gags instead of fully exploring the emotional stakes of their mid-life crises. This lack of depth prevents the story from reaching its full comedic and dramatic potential.

The Stress Is Killing Me is a good one-time watch, offering light entertainment with themes of reunion, self-discovery, and friendship. While these elements have the potential for a more compelling story, Tom Carroll doesn’t fully capitalize on them, leaving some moments feeling underdeveloped. The comedy is decent but could have been sharper, with a mix of genuinely funny scenes and others that fall flat. Ultimately, it’s an enjoyable film which you could spare some hours on the weekend.

‘The Stress Is Killing Me’ Rating – 3.25/5