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With the upcoming release of Francis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolisand the coming-of-age comedyMy Old Asson the horizon,Aubrey Plazaremains as one of the most enduring and exciting actors today. Plaza has proven to be a versatile actor, and looking across her already rich filmography, fans will find many highlights where the actor either leaned into type or broke the mold of what had been expected of her since her feature debut inthe Donald Glover-led comedyMystery Team.
Out of all her projects, one stands out as one of her most versatile and deep character portrayals; Ingrid Throburn in 2017’sIngrid Goes West. The dark comedy led by Aubrey Plaza is certainly worth a watch for both fans of the actor and those with a wicked sense of humor; here is why it is a must-watch and a treat to finally be available to stream for free onTubi.
Ingrid Goes West Plot and Cast
Ingrid Goes West
Ingrid Goes Westfollows the titular Ingrid Thorburn (Aubrey Plaza) who, after returning from an extended stay in a psychiatric facility, finds herselfobsessed with the life of online Instagram star Taylor Sloane(Elizabeth Olsen). Ingrid begins to figure out ways to get closer to Taylor, including starting a relationship with a Batman superfan and aspiring screenwriter Dan Pinto (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) to use his vehicle and getting closer to those around Taylor, including her husband Ezra (Wyatt Russell). However, when Taylor’s brother, Nicky (Billy Magnussen) becomes suspicious of Ingrid and learns of her motives, it startsa downward spiral of desperation and stalking to keep the ‘dream’ friendship alive.
The wonderfully irreverent Aubrey Plaza played the role of Ingrid Thorburn in Ingrid Goes West. The production is sandwiched between an underrated gem in her filmography,The Little Hours, and her wonderfully villainous role as Lenny Busker in Marvel’s Legion. Opposite her is Elizabeth Olsen, who had alreadyenchanted viewers as the Scarlet Witchin the MCU two years prior inAvengers Age of Ultron.Ingrid Goes Westwas directed by Matt Spicer, and it exists as his only feature film to date.
Ingrid Goes West Is Aubrey Plaza at Her Best
Aubrey Plaza’s performance as Ingrid Thorburnremains one of her greatest roles, a truehighlight of her ability to fully immerse herself in an ‘outsider’ character in all its awkward charms and faults. While we all know Aubrey Plaza as a semi-oddball character who has mastered ambivalence on screen, Ingrid presented another side to the actor, one of vulnerability.Gary Thompson of Telegram, reiterated this in his glowing review ofIngrid Goes West, where he stated “Nobody plays ambivalence better, but she allows herself to be vulnerable here.“Ingrid is the perfect balance of a darker, disturbed character with a highly emotional sidethat ended up being perfectly cast in Aubrey Plaza.
Of course,Aubrey Plaza is also known for her comedic knack for delivering absurd lines in a deadpan fashion, whether it be inParks and RecreationorScott Pilgrim vs. The World. Here this dry delivery works impeccably for Ingrid’s character, as her dark obsessions manifest in awkward moments shared with others. Whether it is her fake enthusiasm for out-of-touch socialites to try to fit in or stepping into the role of awkward temptress to get what she wants, these moments are delivered with mastery.
“I just want to keep finding special characters that I feel like I can bring to life and characters that are real and not superficial.” Aubrey Plaza
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Echoed throughout much of the critical praise, is the fact that Aubrey Plaza showed such a strong command of her character, which would help set her up for future stand-out roles in the realm of complex, morally ambiguous protagonists, as seen in movies likeBlack BearandEmily the Criminal. Whether the content ofIngrid Goes Westappeals to the viewer,it is hard to deny Ingrid Thorburn is one of Aubrey Plaza’s best performances to date.
Why Ingrid Goes West Is a Must-Watch for Dark Comedy Fans
Despite Aubrey Plaza giving an unforgettable performance as the disturbed Ingrid Thorburn, paired perfectly against the optimism of Elizabeth Olsen’s Taylor Salon, thestand-out dark comedyhas even more going for it. Notably, the comedyblends timeless themes and brings them into modern social commentary. Themes of wanting to belong, wanderlust, finding ways to try to be ‘greater,’ and a search for self-identity in uncertainty will always remain relevant themes. Yet, what makesIngrid Goes Westmore engrossing is its focus on the modern-day obsession with social media.Ingrid Goes Westbrilliantly shows how contrasting the two desires can be, and how isolated from one another social media and reality can be.
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Ingrid Thorburn’s downfall feels inescapable yet real, despite the heightened drama of the movie, with many realizing the allure of online stardom and how important it is to keep the real world and the glamor behind the screen separate. Breaking down this barrier and putting a face to the delusion, and all the problems that can come with it makes for a deeply haunting character study.Dark comedies with substance and smart social commentary will always resonate deeper with viewers than surface-level silliness. There is much more to the Matt Spicer film if you dig a bit beneath the surface that has earned it deserved accolades and critical acclaim.
Or, you can just tune in and laugh at the superficial nature of online celebrity-dom and Plaza’s awkward social interactions; either way,Ingrid Goes Westis a must-watch for fans of dark comedy.You can streamIngrid Goes Weston Tubi now.
