Director Adele Lim Responds to Critic Who Says Joy Ride ‘Objectifies Me’ and ‘Targets White People’

Adele Lim’s Joy Ride follows the story of an Asian American adoptee, Audrey, (Ashley Park) who heads to China to find her birth mother. She enlists the help of three friends, Lolo, Deadeye and Kat (portrayed by Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu, respectively), and the four embark on what turns out to be a journey of bonding, friendship, belonging, and wild debauchery.

Joy Ride, Lim’s directorial debut, has earned plenty of praise ahead of its theatrical release, but one critic recently took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the film. @LCJReviews called the film “embarrassing” and “unpleasant” adding “Like most modern adult ‘comedies’ it’s raunchy simply to be raunchy, forgetting there has to be humor attached, and there’s none of that. Objectifies men, targets white people. All shock value, ‘look at me’ attitude.” Lim responded to the review, but opted for a comedic response rather than becoming defensive, writing: “Imma need ‘Objectifies men, targets white people’ on a tshirt.”

Joy Ride made its world premiere at SXSW on Friday, March 17, and currently boasts an impressive 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers often praised the film’s laugh out loud moments and the ensemble cast’s chemistry and performances. In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Lim discussed how the group worked so well together and how they all managed to have their moments to shine, She called this a “testament” to the “amazing cast and the genuine, authentic chemistry they have together.”

Related: Joy Ride Trailer: Lionsgate’s Raunchy Comedy Follows Four Friends to Asia

Ken Jeong Praises Joy Ride

Aside from overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, the film also gained praise from a popular fan. The Hangover star Ken Jeong, who knows a thing or two about buddy comedies, also took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the film: “This movie is my everything. Couldn’t stop laughing, couldn’t stop crying. Just a masterpiece from start to finish. CONGRATS to @adeleblim @teresahsiao @ashleyparklady @shrrycola @asabrinawu & Stephanie Hsu.”

Joy Ride is Lim’s directorial debut, but her past work includes writing the films Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon. Joy Ride is penned by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong (Family Guy), and Teresa Hsiao (Awkawfina Is Nora from Queens). Lim, Chevapravatdumrong, and Hsiao, also serve as producers on the film, alongside Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Josh Fagen. The film stars Ashley Park (Emily in Paris), Sherry Cola (Good Trouble), Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once), and Sabrina Wu, in her feature film debut. Joy Ride also features Desmond Chiam (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Alexander Hodge (Black Lightning), and Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians).

Joy Ride has consistently been called “raunchy” by critics. No Hard Feelings, led by Jennifer Lawrence, has also been described with that adjective. The latter, which premiered June 23, recently became the highest grossing R-rated comedy of the decade, and some believe that No Hard Feelings and Joy Ride may mark the beginning of the return of raunchy comedies.

Joy Ride hits theaters Friday, July 7.