For as many positives there are that can come from social media, there are just as many, if not more, negatives. And Ingrid Goes West focuses hard on the negatives, in an effective blend of dark humor and sadly relevant drama.
After pepper spraying bride Charlotte for not being invited to the wedding, Ingrid (Aubrey Plaza) – who, it should be noted, was not ever friends with Charlotte – is placed in a mental hospital. Ingrid has various never-specified issues, that mostly manifest themselves in her obsession with social media, specifically Instagram. She becomes obsessed with certain users, believing to be legitimate friends with them.
Soon after her release, Ingrid fixates on a new target, social media influencer Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen). After receiving a response from Taylor that Ingrid made on one of her Instagram posts, Ingrid impulsively moves to Los Angeles, with the dream of meeting and becoming friends with Taylor.
After running into Taylor by chance while out shopping, Ingrid follows her home, concocting a plan to kidnap her dog so the two can officially meet upon returning the dog. The plan works better than Ingrid could have ever hoped, as Taylor and her husband Ezra (Wyatt Russell) welcome her into their lives. Ingrid and Taylor begin something long lacking from Ingrid’s life: a real and lasting friendship. But that’s just the thing. Is it real? Is it lasting?
Send up of influencers
One of the central themes of Ingrid Goes West is just how curated the Instagram lives are of these so-called influencers. Every post is meticulously planned, with each picture taken and re-taken until the “perfect” shot has been achieved.
It’s often a real-life representation of the “Instagram vs. Real Life” meme. But Ingrid is so blind in her obsession that she can’t see how fake so much of Taylor’s life is. She only sees the “Instagram” side of things. That’s the glamorous side. That’s what had driven her for so long to find her “friends.” She either can’t, or doesn’t want to, see the real side of things. Ingrid ultimately offers extremely poignant commentary on society’s obsession with social media “success.”
How much cringe can you handle?
This is one of the critical questions in deterring how much you will enjoy Ingrid Goes West. Ingrid’s obsessions, and the actions it inevitably leads her to, can be incredibly hard to watch. For one, it’s sad to see someone so detached from reality. Deep down, all Ingrid wants is acceptance and friendship. But she goes about it in some of the worst possible ways.
And when Ingrid tries to force her way into Taylor and her friends’ lives, it is the literal definition of the word “cringe.” Sometimes it plays funny, but more often it makes you want to bury your head in your hands until it’s over. Even still though, Plaza’s performance and commitment to the role make it tolerable enough to not detract too much from it.
Third act falls apart
This is where Ingrid Goes West loses much of the goodwill it earned in its first two-thirds. In case you’re reading this without having seen the movie, I won’t get into spoilers. But suffice it to say that the movie ends on a more positive note that Ingrid arguably deserved. While its entire set up appeared to be criticizing our current obsession with our social media status, the ending almost effectively undoes all of that in a matter of minutes. It was a confusing decision for an otherwise smart film.
Top notch performances
Ingrid Goes West is Aubrey Plaza’s movie. And she takes it and runs with it. As awkward and cringe-inducing as Ingrid can be, Plaza demands your attention from the jump and doesn’t let up until the credits roll.
Olsen is also phenomenal, expertly channeling the essence of the stereotypical Instagram influencer. The most accurate way to describe her performance would be “natural.” It feels so real that at times you forget she’s just a character and not an actual would-be influencer that got cast in the role.
Wyatt Russell plays what seems to be a typical Wyatt Russell role, which is a supporting part that he completely nails. Just like in 22 Jump Street or Everybody Wants Some!! he doesn’t get a ton of time, but he shines when given the chance.
Then there’s O’Shea Jackson, Jr. Ingrid Goes West was just his second major role, following a role as his father Ice Cube in Straight Outta Compton. He shot out of a cannon in the N.W.A. biopic, and has turned in heater after heater ever since. Jackson is one of the more exciting young actors on the come-up, and the talent was apparent immediately. He’s one to keep our eyes on in the years to come.
Worth a watch
If you’re looking for a simple pitch, that’s probably the best way to put it. You’re not going to fall in love with Ingrid Goes West, but it’s a perfectly fun way to spend 90 minutes.
The Verdict: 7.5/10
Ingrid Goes West is streaming on Hulu.