The New Guy

The New Guy has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Netflix and Hoopla, and in the US on Kanopy and Hoopla. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 667 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. DJ Qualls 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.

The New Guy is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The New Guy gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. Nerdy high school senior Dizzy Harrison has finally gotten lucky -- after purposely getting expelled, he takes lessons in 'badass cool' from a convict and enrolls at a new school. But can he keep up the ruse? DJ Qualls and Eliza Dushku lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2002. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The New Guy holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The New Guy respects your intelligence. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. DJ Qualls is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.