The Guilt Trip
The Guilt Trip
As inventor Andy Brewster is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime, a quick stop at his mom's house turns into an unexpected cross-country voyage with her along for the ride.
Manuel Frangis reviewedMarch 17, 2025
I just watched The Guilt Trip, and I would give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. Had to watch this one at school, and honestly, I was not expecting much, but it ended up being pretty decent. It is a road trip comedy with Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand, and while it is not the funniest or most exciting movie ever, it has its moments. It is not the kind of movie I would have picked on my own, but it is way better than I thought it would be.
The story is simple. Rogen plays a scientist trying to pitch his invention across the country, and Streisand is his overbearing but well meaning mom who tags along for the ride. What follows is a mix of awkward family moments, funny little arguments, and some surprisingly heartfelt scenes. The comedy is light, nothing over the top, but it works because the chemistry between Rogen and Streisand feels real. You totally buy them as mother and son, and their dynamic is what carries the whole movie.
A lot of the humor comes from how different they are. Rogen is frustrated, trying to focus on his work, while Streisand is just enjoying the trip, completely unaware of how much she is embarrassing him. Some of the most uncomfortable moments are also the funniest because they feel so relatable. Anyone with a parent like Streisand’s character will probably cringe at how spot on she is. There are plenty of moments where Rogen’s character just sighs in defeat, and it is those little reactions that make the comedy feel natural.
The pacing is mostly solid, but there are definitely slow parts. Some scenes feel like they go on a little too long, and a few jokes do not really land. But when the comedy does hit, it works well. The Vegas scene? Easily one of the best parts. There is a good mix of situational humor, sarcastic one liners, and those classic awkward silences that make you laugh just because you know exactly how uncomfortable the characters feel.
What surprised me the most was the emotional weight that sneaks in toward the end. The movie does not start off feeling like it is going to be deep in any way, but as the story unfolds, you start to see more layers in their relationship. It is not just about a mom embarrassing her son. It is about understanding each other, reconnecting, and realizing that sometimes people have good intentions even when they drive you crazy.
The performances make the movie better than it would have been otherwise. Rogen plays his usual sarcastic and slightly grumpy character, but he dials it back a little to make it feel more real. Streisand is the highlight, though. She is funny, a little over the top, but also surprisingly sweet. Her character could have easily been annoying, but she makes it work by bringing just the right amount of warmth to balance out the comedy.
Would I have watched this on my own? Probably not. But for a school movie, it could have been way worse. It is not a must watch, but it is an easygoing, feel good movie with some laughs and a solid story. If you like road trip comedies or family movies that mix humor with heart, it is worth checking out. I had a better time with it than I expected, and while I might not rush to watch it again, I am glad I saw it.