Strangers with Candy

Watch Strangers with Candy

"Going to high school for the first time is always scary... Especially the second time around."
  • R
  • 2005
  • 1 hr 37 min
  • 5.9  (8,420)
  • 57

Strangers with Candy is a 2005 comedy film directed by Paul Dinello and starring Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert, and Paul Dinello himself. The film is a prequel to the TV series of the same name, which originally aired on Comedy Central in the late 90s and early 2000s. The story follows Jerri Blank, a 46-year-old ex-junkie and ex-con who decides to return to high school in order to finally earn her high school diploma. Jerri's motives for going back to school are not entirely clear, but it seems that she is looking for a fresh start in life after years of addiction and poor decisions.

Jerri's return to high school doesn't go quite as smoothly as she had hoped. She is immediately seen as an outcast and an oddball by her classmates, who are all much younger than her. Jerri tries her best to fit in, but her abrasive personality and strange behavior only make things worse for her.

Despite her struggles, Jerri is determined to succeed and become the star student she always wanted to be. She finds a mentor in her art teacher, Mr. Noblet (played by Stephen Colbert), who sees something special in her and encourages her to follow her dreams. With his help, Jerri starts to make progress academically and socially, but her journey is far from over.

As the school year progresses, Jerri finds herself facing all sorts of challenges and obstacles. She has to deal with bullying from her classmates, family drama at home, and a persistent drug addiction that threatens to derail her progress. But through it all, she never loses sight of her goals and remains determined to graduate high school and make something of herself.

Strangers with Candy is a raunchy, irreverent comedy that doesn't shy away from controversial topics or taboo subjects. The film is filled with outrageous jokes, crude humor, and over-the-top characters, all of which are played to perfection by the talented cast.

One of the standout performances in the film comes from Amy Sedaris, who is absolutely perfect as the clueless and inappropriate Jerri Blank. Sedaris fully commits to the character, bringing a level of absurdity and hilarity to every scene she's in. Despite the character's many flaws, Sedaris somehow manages to make Jerri endearing, and even sympathetic at times.

Stephen Colbert also delivers a great performance as Mr. Noblet, the sarcastic and jaded art teacher who takes Jerri under his wing. Colbert's deadpan delivery and dry wit are a perfect match for the character, and he manages to create a great dynamic with Sedaris throughout the film.

The rest of the cast is also fantastic, with standout performances from Paul Dinello as the creepy and awkward science teacher Mr. Jellineck, and Deborah Rush as Jerri's dysfunctional and emotionally distant mother.

Overall, Strangers with Candy is a hilarious, irreverent comedy that is sure to make you laugh out loud. The film is a great tribute to the original TV series, and is a must-see for fans of Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert, and anyone who appreciates a good, raunchy laugh.

Strangers with Candy
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Description
  • Release Date
    2005
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 37 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.9  (8,420)
  • Metascore
    57