'Sacramento' Movie Review: Why Michael Cera’s ‘Adulting’ Comedy Hits So Close to Home

We’ve all been there—stuck in that weird phase where adulthood feels like a costume we’re not quite ready to wear. Some of us embrace it, some of us run from it, and some of us… well, some of us just fill a tennis ball can with dirt and pretend it’s our father’s ashes.

That’s the kind of absurd, painfully real humor you’ll find in 'Sacramento', the new indie comedy directed by and starring Michael Angarano. Co-written with Chris Smith, this film is a shaggy, heartfelt, and often hilarious look at friendship, responsibility, and the terrifying transition into 'actual' adulthood.  

And yes, Michael Cera is in it—and he’s better than ever.  

The Premise: A Road Trip That Doesn't Go Anywhere (Literally and Figuratively)

In theory, 'Sacramento' is a road movie. In reality? It's more like a "why are we even doing this?" movie—which, to be honest, makes it all the more hilarious.

Glenn (Michael Cera) is your stereotypical responsible-but-screwed-up millennial. He's married to Rosie (Kristen Stewart, always cool as a cucumber), who's eight months pregnant. He's also just been laid off, although he hasn't shared this with anyone. Along comes Ricky (Michael Angarano), Glenn's best friend from childhood—a smooth-talking, chaotic disaster of a guy who just drops by without warning with an outlandish tale: His dad just passed away, and he needs Glenn to drive him to Sacramento to spread the ashes.

Except. Sacramento is not on the ocean. And the "ashes"? Dirt crammed into a reconfigured tennis ball container.

So, no, this is not Thelma & Louise. It's sort of Dumb and Dumber + Before Sunrise, if both protagonists were also in deep denial about their own lives.

The Dynamic: Two Friends Who Might Secretly Hate Each Other

The center of 'Sacramento' is the tension between Glenn and Ricky. Glenn is the hesitant one, the guy who overanalyzes every choice. Ricky is the real-life version of a "YOLO" meme—spontaneous, reckless, and allergic to responsibility.

Their chemistry is charged, primarily because it's constructed upon years of unspoken animosity. These aren't simply friends living in their heyday; they're two men who may not even like each other any longer. There's bitterness, jealousy, and plenty of unspoken realities simmering beneath the surface.

One of the film’s best scenes happens in a bar, where they meet two women (played by AJ Mendez and Iman Karram) who run a fighting gym. The way Glenn and Ricky interact—competing, joking, subtly undermining each other—feels painfully authentic. It’s that weird stage in male friendships where you’re not sure if you’re still friends or just stuck in old habits.  

The True Theme: The Horror of "Adulting"

Come on—growing up is scary. And 'Sacramento' gets that fear spot on.

Glenn's about to be a father, but instead of being thrilled, he's immobilized. He adores Rosie, but a 'dad'? That's a whole different kind of commitment he's not sure he can make. Meanwhile, Ricky is fleeing his own brand of adulthood—he has a child he doesn't know, a life he won't give himself to, and a compulsion to lie in order not to deal.

The genius of the movie is the way it combines humor with real emotion. One moment, Ricky's doing something absurd (pretending to be a motivational speaker). The next, Glenn's sitting in a gas station bathroom, freaking out quietly, realizing his whole life is going to change.

It's hilarious because it's true. And it stings because it's really true.

The Performances: Michael Cera's Quiet Triumph

Michael Cera is always fantastic as goofy, sweet freaks (Superbad, Arrested Development). But in 'Sacramento', he does something else entirely—he allows Glenn to be exposed in a manner that's painful and honest.

There is one moment when Glenn finally tells Ricky that he is afraid of being a dad. No humor, no evasion—just raw, unvarnished terror. And Cera delivers it beautifully, with this contained intensity that makes you forget you're seeing an actor. 

Angarano, on the other hand, is a hoot as Ricky. He's the sort of guy who's so charming you nearly excuse him for being a disaster. Nearly.

And Kristen Stewart? She doesn't get a whole lot of screen time, but she steals all her scenes. Rosie is Glenn's voice of reason, and Stewart brings her off with such easy cool you wish she were getting her own spin-off. 

Final Thoughts: A Messy, Funny, Surprisingly Deep Comedy

'Sacramento' isn't a flawless film. It's loose, somewhat rambling, and certain scenes feel more like improv sessions than scripted scenes. But that's also what makes it so realistic.

This isn't a Hollywood comedy where everything gets neatly wrapped up. It's a movie about people who don't know all the answers—who mess up, lie, and then attempt (sometimes ineffectively) to make it right.

If you've ever sat back and surveyed your life and thought, "How did I get here?", you'll connect with 'Sacramento'. And if you've ever had a friend who's driving you nuts but you can't live without them? You'll really connect.

What did you think of 'Sacramento'? Did it make you laugh, cringe, or freak out about adulthood? Let me know in the comments!