The Big Sick

The Big Sick is currently streaming in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Stan, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Kumail Nanjiani sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Big Sick earns its spot. The Big Sick gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family's expectations, and his true feelings. Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2017. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The Big Sick holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The Big Sick respects your intelligence. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Kumail Nanjiani is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.