Kim Kardashian’s Netflix Comedy Draws Bridesmaids Comparisons
Kim Kardashian’s latest Netflix comedy, The Fifth Wheel, is already being compared to Bridesmaids. But is it really just a copy? Dive into the details and see how the two films stack up.
Netflix has pulled back the curtain on its upcoming comedy, The Fifth Wheel, with Kim Kardashian stepping into the lead. The announcement has quickly set off chatter, with many punters drawing lines to Melissa McCarthy’s 2011 hit, Bridesmaids. Despite the surface-level similarities, the two films take different tracks when it comes to story, structure, and what they’re really about.
Not Just Another Bridesmaids
While Bridesmaids—helmed by Paul Feig—follows Annie Walker’s life spiralling after she’s asked to be a bridesmaid, The Fifth Wheel centres on a group of old school mates whose reunion weekend goes off the rails when a newcomer joins the party. Both films have that ensemble comedy vibe, but the plots don’t really overlap. Kardashian herself has said the new film borrows a bit of flavour from a few classic comedies.
It’s like Hangover, Bridesmaids, First Wives Club,
she mentioned during an episode of The Kardashians.
Kim Kardashian Steps Up in The Fifth Wheel
With The Fifth Wheel, Kardashian is taking another crack at acting, following her stint in Hulu’s legal drama All’s Fair. This time, she’s front and centre, playing an outsider who crashes a Vegas trip with a tight-knit group of friends. According to the official synopsis,
A group of best friends from high school attempt to reconnect during a weekend jaunt to Vegas. When a hot outsider (played by Kardashian) crashes the weekend, they’re forced to face their messy lives, bad decisions, and unraveling friendships.
The cast is rounded out by Nikki Glaser, Brenda Song, and Fortune Feimster, with Eva Longoria in the director’s chair. The script comes from Paula Pell and Janine Brito, and Kardashian is also on board as a producer.
Kardashian’s Ten-Year Acting Ambition
After popping up in American Horror Story: Delicate and All’s Fair, Kardashian has made it clear she’s got a decade-long plan for her acting career. On The Kardashians, she shared,
I can do a film a year. I’ve got about 10 years where I still look good, so that’s all I’ve got in me, and then I’ll take some time off — Every year I want to do something that makes me so uncomfortable that I really have to challenge myself.
She admitted the shift is both nerve-wracking and exciting, saying she’s surprised at how quickly things have taken off. Her role in American Horror Story brought unexpected attention from the industry, and she’s now fielding offers from all directions.
When it came to pitching The Fifth Wheel, Kardashian said she was taken aback by the studios’ quick response.
We literally spent a day, we went to all the studios, and everyone called within, like, 20 minutes with offers,
she said, confirming she’s now signed on with Netflix.
What’s in Store for The Fifth Wheel
Here’s a quick look at the key details for The Fifth Wheel:
Film Name: The Fifth Wheel
Director: Eva Longoria
Production: Gloria Sanchez Productions, Hyphenate Media Group, Netflix
Main Cast: Fortune Feimster, Brenda Song, Kim Kardashian
Are you keen to see Kardashian’s next big screen outing? Let us know what you reckon.
Bridesmaids is available to rent or buy on Apple TV.