Izabel Pakzad’s directorial debut, Find Your Friends, is a sun-drenched fever dream (with all the alcohol and drugs they consumed, it kind of was)—equal parts girls trip, club banger, and revenge fantasy. The film plunges you headfirst into a chaotic, glittery world where a relentless EDM soundtrack pulses like a heartbeat, making you feel trapped in a club at 2 AM for its entire 89-minute runtime. It’s loud, messy, unhinged in all the best ways—flaws and all, it’s definitely worth a shot.

Find Your Friends opens with a wild yacht party that instantly sets the tone for the film. But amid the revelry, Amber (Helena Howard) is sexually assaulted, which deeply affects her mood and every interaction throughout the trip. Her changing behavior makes her friends uneasy, even irritated. 

Amber’s unsettling experience early in the trip casts a shadow over the group dynamic as she and her four best friends—Lavinia (Bella Thorne), Lola (Chloe Cherry), Zosia (Zión Moreno), and Maddy (Sophia Ali)—leave behind their L.A. bubble for a weekend getaway in Joshua Tree. What begins as a carefree, chaotic 2016-era girls’ trip—filled with partying and impulsive choices—soon takes a darker turn. The locals make it clear the girls aren’t welcome. And this isn’t just the usual “you’re not from around here” side-eye; there’s a simmering tension, a real hostility that quickly escalates into chaos and violence.

Yet, the tension and hostility aren’t just external—they simmer within the group itself. Their friendship is messy, often toxic, exposing deep fractures that feel raw and unsettling. At times, loyalty wavers—especially when one of them “disappears” without warning and no one seems truly alarmed. That lack of concern is chilling, especially as Amber’s trauma is eventually brushed aside and minimized, adding to her frustration. It’s hard not to notice how absent the support you’d expect from close friends feels in such a vulnerable moment. Still, even amid the dysfunction, there are flickers of care and solidarity. Pakzad doesn’t shy away from exposing these uncomfortable fractures, portraying female friendship as complex, layered, and imperfect—capable of harm, but also of fierce love.

What sets Find Your Friends apart—and what some viewers might find off-putting, but I found refreshingly honest—is how unapologetically vulgar, chaotic, and unfiltered the girls are. Pakzad herself has spoken about rejecting the classic “final girl” trope, where the heroine is expected to “fit into this pretty little box, behave a certain way, and be sweet and innocent to survive.” Here, the characters explode those conventions. They are wild and messy, pushing every emotion and reaction to the extreme. Watching this group of women act without restraint feels wildly authentic and entertaining. 

The film is very much a girl’s girl story, centering on female friendship and fury. All the men in this universe are almost uniformly insufferable (but aren’t they all in real life?). From obnoxious locals to indifferent cops, none are remotely sympathetic—except maybe one, whose humanity flickers through at the end. They mostly serve as obstacles or antagonists, highlighting the chaos and intensity of the women’s world without offering any relief (truly, being a woman and dealing with men is no joke). This dynamic underscores the story’s focus on female rage and survival in a hostile environment.

The casting in Find Your Friends is spot-on. The four leads bring to life a chaotic, 2016-era friend group that flirts with stereotype—but always with a spark that keeps things interesting. You believe in their dynamic, however toxic it gets, because it’s messy in a way that feels lived-in. There’s a tension in their bond that makes it compelling to watch, even when (at times) you can’t stand some of them.

Stylistically, Find Your Friends is an effortlessly cool desert trip that transitions from sun-soaked party vibes into a heat-stroked nightmare before turning into a revenge flick. The desert setting amplifies the sense of isolation and escalating danger, while the pulsating EDM soundtrack keeps the adrenaline high throughout. It’s a film that balances trashy fun with moments of genuine horror and emotional depth.

At its core, Find Your Friends dives into toxic friendships, impulsive choices, and raw female rage—served up with glitter, sweat, and blood. It’s a story about women pushed to their limits, grappling with betrayal, trauma, and messy realities. When the girls finally take control and fight back, the catharsis is undeniable—you can’t help but cheer for their fierce, unfiltered fury. Honestly, the moment they grabbed the kitchen scissors had me on the edge of my seat!This film may not be for everyone, especially those who shy away from loud, vulgar, and chaotic storytelling or aren’t fans of EDM culture. But if you’re ready for a raw, unpolished look at friendship, and revenge told through the lens of unapologetically wild young women, Find Your Friends is the film for you. It’s messy, infuriating, and exhilarating all at once—a unique debut that refuses to play by the rules and leaves a lasting impression.

Grade: B

Oscar Prospects:
Likely:  None
Should be Considered: None

Where to Watch: TBA