Next Gen

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Next Gen is available in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. With 858 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. John Krasinski is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Netflix.

Next Gen is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The jokes in Next Gen land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. A friendship with a top-secret robot turns a lonely girl's life into a thrilling adventure as they take on bullies, evil bots and a scheming madman. John Krasinski and Lo Mutuc lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2018. The timing in Next Gen is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Next Gen. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. John Krasinski's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.