Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Adam Sandler breaks Rotten Tomatoes record with new Netflix movie

The critics are lapping up actor’s new release

Jacob Stolworthy
Friday 01 September 2023 06:50 BST
Comments
You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Adam Sandler has achieved a career record with his brand new Netflix movie.

The actor, who has a $350m (£199m) deal with the streaming service, appears in You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, a comedy in which he stars alongside his wife and two daughters.

It’s toppled sports drama Hustle to become his best-reviewed film, according to aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.

This marks something of a turnaround for Sandler, whose previous films for the streaming service, including The Ridiculous 6, Sandy Wexler and Murder Mystery, were all torn apart by critics.

However, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is seeing Sandler receive some of the best reviews of his career to date.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a critics score of 97 per cent. For comparison, Hustle has 93 per cent.

Following behind is The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), which has 92 per cent, Uncut Gems with 91 per cent and Paul Thomas Anderson film Punch-Drunk Love (77 per cent).

Audiences are not in agreement, though. While Hustle remains his most popular film among fans, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah currently sits at 67 per cent.

The film follows two best friends whose bat mitzvah plans get affected by a popular boy that they fight for the attention of.

Sunny and Adam Sandler in ‘You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah'
Sunny and Adam Sandler in ‘You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah' (Netflix)

Sandler stars in the film alongside his Uncut Gems co-star Idina Menzel as well as his wife Jackie and their two daughters, Sadie, 17, and Sunny, 14. The actor has been married to Jackie since 2003.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Some critics have suggested that Sadie and Sunny were cast because they were “nepo babies” (a term coined on social media for the children of famous performers who pursue careers in the entertainment industries themselves).

However, writing in The Independent, Louis Chilton claimed that the critical and commercial success of YASNITMB proves that “no one cares about nepotism”.

Director Sammi Cohen also spoke out to defend Sandler, saying that the comedic actor has always cast his friends in his films.

“He’s still making movies with his friends, but they’re his kids. He is the kind of dad who’s also your best friend,” he said.

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is available to stream on Netflix now.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in