Meet the talented Asian-American cast starring in Joy Ride, 2023’s must-see film: from Emily in Paris’ Ashley Park and Everything Everywhere’s Stephanie Hsu, to comedians Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu
Raucous, ridiculous and totally original, Joy Ride is already being hailed as the must-see film of the summer.
Directed by Adele Lim, who wrote the screenplay for Crazy Rich Asians, this R-rated coming-of-age story has already received rave reviews on the film festival circuit, with critics praising its outrageous humour, star-studded cast featuring Hollywood’s most promising young Asian stars, and its fresh take on Asian culture and diaspora.
Set to release on July 7, it’s written by Awkwafina is Nora From Queens writer Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and co-creator Teresa Hsiao, with a story by Lim. The film is produced by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Josh Fagen.
The film tells the story of two Asian-American women and best friends, Audrey and Lolo. Adopted and raised by white parents in the US, Audrey sets off on a quest to find her birth mother in China, with Lolo and two other friends along for support. Expect cameos from Asian actors like Ronny Chieng and Lori Tan Chinn.
A cross between The Hangover, Bridesmaids and Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride is as unique as it is touching and poignant – sure to be one of the most talked-about films of the year. It currently holds an impressive 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
So what else do we know about this highly anticipated movie … and the all-Asian cast behind it?
Ashley Park
The 31-year-old takes the lead in Joy Ride portraying Audrey, a Chinese-American woman who embarks on a journey to China in search of her biological mother and a deeper connection to her cultural heritage.
Stephanie Hsu
Sherry Cola
The 33-year-old is also an accomplished comedian, known for her fresh perspective on Asian-American identity and her ability to tackle tough subjects with wit and humour.
Cola stars opposite Park, playing Audrey’s best friend, Lolo.
Sabrina Wu
Before making a name for themselves on the big screen, Wu honed their craft as a stand-up comedian while studying at Harvard. Since then, they have made a successful transition to screenwriting, working on shows such as the Disney+ series Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.
- With a 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Joy Ride, which is set to release on July 7, is already being lauded as one of this year’s hottest new films to watch
- Directed by Adele Lim from Crazy Rich Asians, the film features Emily in Paris’ Ashley Park, Oscar-nominated Stephanie Hsu, Jennifer Lopez-produced Good Trouble’s Sherry Cola, and comedian Sabrina Wu