Kathryn Upside Down (2019) User Reviews

John Hughes with more cursing and toilets

[tomgimlin · 8/10 · 21 June 2019]

I had a chance to watch this film last night and I found it to be a light hearted coming of age comedy about what happens when new relationships are thrust upon you.

The story follows Kathryn, a young and foul-mouthed playwright with her mother and evil stepfather in high society. When a toilet mishap necessitates a plumber, she's shocked to find out the man is actually her biological father whom her mother had a one night stand with long ago. Now Kathryn has to learn how to forge a relationship with this man and what it means for her as a person as she grows over the course of the film.

The film does a good job of keeping the story and pace of the film steady and has some funny moments as Kathryn tries to build a relationship with her father, Bob. The humor is more crude but the film still has heart and by the end you feel for the characters.

Some of the characters fall a bit flat and some of the acting from some of the actors leaves something to be desired, but overall this film is a good rent and worth checking out.

It's a fun film well made that was worth the watch.

cute film!

[lovekcclove · 12 March 2019]

A really sweet and fun movie. Not at all what I expected, not stupid. Really touching message. Goes by very quickly and held my attention, very funny, good acting. Nice script and engaging! It seems very realistic. Kathryn is a great character, I liked the relationship between she and her father Bob. Also really enjoyed Raymundo, funny developed characters all around! Not a plot I've seen before.

I must be going crazy

[burgerman93 · 1/10 · 1 May 2023]

I see the collection of perfect ratings on this website and on Amazon and am just dumbfounded. There's no good introduction to these characters, the dialogue is distasteful, and any attempt at humor is second handed. There's plenty of independent movies that can serenade an audience without trying too hard, this one was a failure. People are comparing this work to that of the late John Hughes, which honestly feels like an insult to his career.

I gave it only 15 minutes before shutting this off. As someone who has lived most of his life in the Chicago suburbs, I was prepared to feel a connection to it. Sorry folks but I just call it as I see it.

Gustav Hammerstein & Raymundo 'Ray Ray'

[cekadah · 4/10 · 28 March 2020]

Director/Writer/Actor: Allie Loukas pulls the stops out for the first half of this movie! It's humorous and enjoyable with both likeable oddball and seriously unlikeable characters. The movie flows nicely but then in the second half the plot becomes tedious and trying. But all together this is a nice entertaining story with mostly capable actors. I am thinking Allie Loukas will be a name we will be seeing more often in the entertainment biz.

The roommates mentioned above are a hoot!

Waste of an opportunity! Waste of time.

[jkt2006 · 3/10 · 3 February 2020]

This movie teaches an avid viewer what a bad screenplay can do to even good actors and eventually your time. Totally a waste of opportunity with a refreshing storyline.

Not worth a 10 but ok

[paul_mossop-96426 · 5/10 · 25 March 2020]

I fail to understand people who give films a 10/10 have they literally no benchmark? Scoring to me should be based on great highly scoring films like Shawshank or The Godfather exceptional films worthy of a 9 or 10 in my book. So that's my benchmark and this by definition is nowhere near as good or god forbid better than the Shawshank redemption. Not in a million years. So have some scoring respect and stop promoting your films by giving it a ludicrous top marks! THE END

Great Debut for Loukas

[AlbertV79 · 10/10 · 26 March 2019]

This is the kind of movie you will want to see when you have a bad day. Using more improvisation as opposed to scripted, first time filmmaker Allie Loukas is a face to look out for. She reminded me of Ellie Kemper and gives a great performance as Kathryn, who is miserable with her current situation and her handling of a shocking turn of events that are bound to change her life forever. The supporting cast are great as well, bringing to mind elements of various things, including a possible Cinderella-like tale not for Kathryn, but her mother, who has an evil husband and stepdaughter. Christoper M. Walsh is great as Bob, the plumber whose shocking revelation brings the titular term to mind. This is one indie comedy I would highly recommend.

Fun and unexpected

[maryjoe238 · 10/10 · 25 March 2019]

The film is very interesting. It is about a young girl meeting her father and how it changes her. It is very funny but took an unexpected serious turn which caught me off guard in a good way, it's a bizarre mix of fun and sometimes sadness...it's a unique film.

Great Indy Comedy

[drhuffman-17263 · 10/10 · 29 May 2019]

Great movie! So hard to find great comedies now! Best one I've seen in years! Great Chicago movie! Makes me want Giordanos!

So funny and heartwarming!

[jakeyjoey · 10/10 · 14 March 2019]

I was pleasantly surprised at how good this movie was! The character of Kathryn was so quirky and adorable. I laughed out loud at several parts of the movie. The emotions that came through as well were very heartwarming and touching. Very well written and Allie Loukas was great as Kathryn!

it's hard to make this film

[comedyimprov11 · 10/10 · 13 April 2019]

I appreciate how difficult it was to make this kind of a film. there is good improv throughout. i think kathryn is the funniest character, along with raymundo. better than big budget comedies, which is sad because they have 40 million dollars to be unfunny.

Great movie

[gchristina88 · 10/10 · 28 April 2019]

Very cute movie with an even plot, Kathryn was a great actor also liked Raymundo I have watched 4 times so far!!!

Cool film!

[charmaine12 · 10/10 · 7 April 2019]

Kathryn is a very good actor...the film has dry humor, the tone of comedy is really different. Kathryn was a great character, she's multi-dimensional.

A Very Funny Debut From A Very Promising Talent

[infinityend · 10/10 · 14 June 2019]

A Very Funny Debut From A Very Promising Talent

I saw Kathryn Upside Down very recently by chance in Arizona as it was one of three indie films I watched in my old college film club. The majority of indie films do not have mainstream appeal, but this is one of those rare gems that does. On a personal level, as someone with an adopted sister as well as a generally dysfunctional family, many of the scenes and characters really hit home. But really, most anybody can relate to the dilemma of being forced to make the best out of an uncomfortable or otherwise unnatural relationship with a polar opposite. And sometimes, those situations/relationships end up being the best ones in the end. I also thought there was a lot of chemistry in the film between the actress that plays Kathryn and the actor that played her father, despite the obvious major differences in the characters they each play. Both do a great job in the movie. The lead actress that plays Kathryn (Allie Loukas) has a very endearing sense of humor and natural presence that for some reason reminds me a little bit of a mix of Rachael McAdams and the earliest work of Winona Ryder. Overall, I'd highly recommend this uplifting film as it's very well put together and has a lot of heart all around---not only for an independent comedy, but for any film in general. Allie Loukas clearly has a very promising career as both a filmmaker and as an actress, and I look forward to seeing what she does next.

Great nod to classic '80s Love Story

[elizabethmccain-17022 · 9/10 · 14 March 2019]

I love the way the writer/director took her own spin on the classic '80s love story. This film is funny and heartwarming and is one I'd watch again. The story is new and so relatable. The acting was great and I never lost interest even though I had a good feeling I knew exactly what was going to happen. I can't wait to see what's next from this director, producer, and actor!

Original Comedy, Good Acting, Great Story

[damajak · 10/10 · 29 March 2019]

A funny movie filled with lots of humor. This movie made jokes that I found especially funny. The story line is fairly touching. Overall a good movie. I really liked the main character and many of the minor characters as well. Worth a watch. It was also nice to see the portrayal of blue collar America. The movie had a certain ability to portray characters that might not usually be shown on television or in movies.

Hilarious!

[scottishlad-31617 · 10/10 · 4 June 2019]

My buddy talked me into this movie and I loved it! Hope we get to see a lot more of the red headed girl and the mom! Funniest movie in a really really long time!

Loved it

[hemitman · 10/10 · 21 June 2019]

This is an indie film definitely worth checking out! All of the characters in Kathryn Upside Down are very funny and the actors are well cast. Stylistically, the overall story and humorous predicaments/dialogue reminded me a lot of the classic comedy films of years past. The numerous Chicago locations further lends a John Hughes vibe. The lead actress that plays Kathryn is also very talented, as there are substantial elements of drama in this one as well. These are the types of films that need to start making a big comeback. I'd watch it again for sure.

Slice of life realism

[claireandrews-24684 · 10/10 · 4 July 2019]

Someone recommended this film to me on Reddit and I felt compelled to leave a review, even though I've never left one on imdb before. This movie was not only great, it stuck with me. The director, writer, and Kathryn (Allie Loukas) basically made this film in the vein of John Hughes outside of the movie studio market, which is, first of all, a massive undertaking, and second of all almost impossible to execute this well. The film was shot in John Hughes's hometown, Lake Forest, Illinois, which is picturesque; classic and gorgeous. The majority of the film takes place there with Chicago woven in, again, classic Hughes. Showing the suburban areas as an upper crust extension of the city. You really feel like you're there, it's very slice of life. Kathryn is a standout, knockout character. Very hard to play because she is sarcastic, so you sort of have to interlace some warmth into her so the audience sides with her, which is done incredibly well. The supporting characters remind me of the classic Hughes style, they sort of pop in and out and provide comic relief. The difference here being this film takes an outwardly dramatic turn which gave me some feels of Wes Anderson in a weird way, or a classic James L Brooks film. Give this lady some studio money and wow, she could do great things. Great title too!!

Great film

[gchristina88 · 10/10 · 6 July 2019]

Watched this last night after a friend recommended it, loved it! The main actress is very talented

Solid freshman outing for Allie Loukas

[brianjkelsey · 10/10 · 8 July 2019]

I watched this film as a recommendation by a friend. Having looked it up here on IMDb first I was a bit concerned as it was a first for Allie Loukas in every sense of the word. I must admit I was surprised and impressed, Some of the Off-Putting risks paid off and I loved the dialog. It is ok to ad lib!

Home run for me!

[kashifaliabbas · 10/10 · 29 March 2020]

Simply outstanding and i loved the method acting of Allie. Amazing girl, thumbs up