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David Wain’s Gail Daughtry, a Cameo-Rich Absurd Comedy, Opens in Early July

The Sundance-premiered film will show whether Wain and Ken Marino’s cult surreal style can reach a broader theatrical audience.

Overview

  • The film premiered to strong audience response at the Sundance Film Festival and is moving into a limited theatrical run in early July.
  • Zoey Deutch stars as Gail, a small-town hairdresser who travels to Los Angeles to pursue a celebrity encounter, with the story deliberately echoing The Wizard of Oz structure.
  • Reviews praise Deutch’s lead performance and the movie’s fast, silly tone while noting a high density of celebrity cameos and frequent collaborators from The State and Wet Hot alumni.
  • Critics highlight the film’s short 93–94 minute runtime and rapid-fire gag style, and several outlets flag a disconnect between Sony Pictures Classics’ marketing and the crowded early-July release window.
  • Publication reports disagree on the exact theatrical start date, a distribution listing issue that could affect box office visibility and shape whether this project broadens Wain’s mainstream reach.