I Don’t Understand You Review: Violence & Adoption
- “I Don’t Understand You,” directed by Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig, explores the anxieties of Dom (Nick Kroll) and Cole (Andrew Rannells), a gay couple eager to...
- The film takes a darkly humorous turn when Dom and Cole travel to Italy for their anniversary.
- News of a pregnant mother named Candace (Amanda Seyfried), who connects with their story, initially buoys their spirits.
In “I don’t Understand You,” Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells star as a gay couple whose romantic anniversary trip to Italy is upended by a cascade of dark humor, cultural misunderstandings, and anxiety. News Directory 3’s review dives into this darkly comedic film that explores adoption anxieties, and the couple’s experience navigating potential microaggressions. What begins as a hopeful journey to adopt a child morphs into a vacation nightmare filled with bizarre situations and escalating tensions with the locals. Despite moments of promise, the film struggles to seamlessly blend its comedic and violent elements, making for an uneven yet intriguing cinematic experience that explores relationships and the challenges faced by those seeking to start a family. Discover what’s next for this film.
‘I Don’t Understand You’: Adoption anxieties Fuel Dark Comedy in Italy
Updated June 7, 2025
“I Don’t Understand You,” directed by Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig, explores the anxieties of Dom (Nick Kroll) and Cole (Andrew Rannells), a gay couple eager to adopt a baby. Their heartfelt video appeal highlights the challenges faced by loving adults seeking to start a family.
The film takes a darkly humorous turn when Dom and Cole travel to Italy for their anniversary. What begins as a romantic getaway quickly spirals into a series of unfortunate and bizarre situations.
News of a pregnant mother named Candace (Amanda Seyfried), who connects with their story, initially buoys their spirits. However, their optimism is tempered by anxieties as gay men navigating potential microaggressions and as tourists struggling with language barriers and unfamiliar surroundings. This sets the stage for a vacation nightmare, as the couple’s rental car becomes stranded, leading them to a remote farmhouse.
Their encounter with a gruff local intensifies their fears, but upon reaching their destination, they meet Francesca (Eleonora Romandini), a retired restaurateur. Despite Francesca’s hospitality, Dom and Cole remain suspicious. The arrival of Francesca’s son, Massimo (morgan Spector), further escalates their unease, culminating in a bloody and farcical evening of misjudgment.
Despite the game commitment of everyone on-screen (starting with Kroll and Rannells’ believable portrayal of loving, vulnerable gay marrieds), “I Don’t Understand You” is only sporadically funny.
The filmmakers, a real-life couple who adopted a child, present an exaggerated look at self-preservation. The film refreshingly opts for silly horror comedy over earnest social commentary. Amanda Knox is a co-producer.
While the film shows promise, it ultimately struggles to blend its comedic and violent elements effectively. The shift into body-count humor proves challenging for the directors to mold into a cohesive narrative about perception and privilege.
‘I Don’t Understand You’
In Italian and English, with subtitles
Rated: R, for bloody violence and language
Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Playing: In limited release
What’s next
Viewers interested in dark comedies exploring cultural misunderstandings and relationship dynamics may find “I Don’t Understand You” a worthwhile, albeit uneven, cinematic experience.