I Want to Be Neenja is not just an unfunny film-it's a tone-deaf, culturally insensitive mess that confuses parody with stereotype and self-awareness with laziness. What might have been intended as a quirky, irreverent comedy quickly collapses under the weight of its own outdated humor and shallow writing.
From the very start, the film leans heavily on a caricatured portrayal of East Asian culture that feels more at home in the early 2000s than in any era trying to be remotely self-reflective. Rather than satirizing ignorance or subverting tropes, it indulges in them-gleefully and without much nuance. The "jokes" often come at the expense of others, relying on exaggerated accents, clichéd martial arts references, and awkward slapstick that borders on uncomfortable.
The performances do little to elevate the material. While the cast seems game, the script gives them nothing to work with beyond one-note gags and recycled punchlines. Worse still, the main character's journey feels hollow-there's no meaningful growth, no lesson learned, just a meandering series of poorly constructed set pieces that quickly wear out their welcome.
Visually, the film isn't impressive either. The production design is cheap, the direction is flat, and the editing often undercuts what little comedic timing the scenes try to build. Any attempt at heart or message is drowned out by a desperate need to be edgy or viral.
In short, I Want to Be Neenja mistakes cringe for comedy and lacks the self-awareness or cleverness to justify its choices.
I wish I could get 1:25 of my life back to watch this "movie", but unfortunately, I cannot. 0/10 stars.
