The film is a fresh and chaotic comedy that captures the absurdity of modern life lived through apps. Directed by Rick Anthony, Bryce Schlamp, and Jason Truong, the film follows two best friends, Jenn and Keri, as they attempt to solve all of life's problems through their smartphones. What starts as a satire quickly turns into an exaggerated mirror of how we live today: swiping, downloading, and agreeing to whatever it takes to keep life moving-until things inevitably unravel.
At its core, the film is a buddy comedy built around the chemistry between its leads and their constant misadventures. Jenn and Keri are relatable in the most hilariously flawed way. Like many of us, they believe there's a digital solution for everything-from dating woes to breakups, from career advice to emotional healing. They're always one app away from the perfect life-or so they think.
The film opens with the duo knee-deep in various life messes. Jenn's recent breakup leaves her questioning everything, while Keri is an overzealous tech junkie with an addiction to self-optimization apps. The two quickly dive into a new wave of questionable downloads: dating apps with algorithms that promise "soulmate accuracy," finance apps that seem to take more than they give, and life coaching bots that sound suspiciously like cult leaders. The punchlines come fast and often, and so do the malfunctions.
The strength of Terms and Conditions lies in how well it juggles its humor with real social commentary. It's not trying to be preachy, but it is undeniably aware of the irony in modern life. Every ridiculous situation the characters find themselves in-from a dating app that matches Jenn with her cousin to a meditation app that gives her a panic attack-feels just exaggerated enough to be funny, but still grounded in reality.
The performances are what make the movie tick. Steve-O is predictably chaotic and shines in his scenes as a rogue app developer who's basically the Willy Wonka of unregulated tech. Mary Lynn Rajskub delivers one of the film's most deadpan roles as a cynical therapist whose advice is plagiarized by an AI bot. And Kenny Hotz, always comfortable in morally questionable territory, plays a shady investor who wants to turn emotional trauma into monetized push notifications. These supporting characters add an unpredictable edge to the film's already unhinged momentum.
As a comedy, Terms and Conditions doesn't try to be subtle. It's loud, satirical, and sometimes just plain ridiculous. But there's a heart underneath the chaos. Jenn and Keri's friendship serves as an anchor. Through every digital misfire and tech-related breakdown, it's their bond-and their eventual realization that real life might need real people-that keeps the film from tipping into total absurdity.
One of the smartest decisions the filmmakers make is using the smartphone interface as a visual storytelling tool. We see texts, app screens, and even glitchy ads as part of the narrative. It's immersive, clever, and oddly anxiety-inducing. You start to feel like you're trapped in their phones with them. That kind of visual design can easily become overwhelming, but here it enhances the story's themes rather than distracts from them.
The pacing of the film is fast, sometimes too fast. There are scenes where the comedy is so rapid-fire that you barely have time to digest one joke before the next one arrives. Some gags land better than others, and not every app-related plotline feels necessary-particularly a detour involving a virtual pet app that turns out to be sentient. Still, the sheer volume of ideas is admirable. The film is bursting with creativity, even if a few bits overstay their welcome.
Where the film really hits home is in its final act. After everything goes spectacularly wrong-including a group therapy app hack that causes a public breakdown in a shopping mall-Jenn and Keri are forced to go "off-grid" for 24 hours. What follows is surprisingly touching. Stripped of their phones, they reconnect with their instincts, their community, and each other. The comedy slows down just enough to let some emotional weight in. It's a satisfying resolution that doesn't feel forced.
Ultimately, Terms and Conditions is a fun, chaotic ride through the absurd side of modern tech culture. It doesn't aim for highbrow satire or nuanced commentary-it leans into its absurdity with pride. It's self-aware, loud, and silly, but also surprisingly observant. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by how much of your life lives inside your phone, this movie will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even put your screen down for a few minutes.
It's not a perfect film, but it doesn't need to be. It succeeds in what it sets out to do: make us laugh at our own digital obsessions, and maybe question if we really need an app for everything. Jenn and Keri might not have figured it all out, but by the end, they learn that some of life's glitches are best handled offline.
Verdict: Terms and Conditions is a comedy for the swipe-fatigued, app-overloaded modern viewer. Imperfect but full of heart and humor, it offers both a cautionary tale and a much-needed laugh in the age of digital dependence.
