🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Augustine Frizzell
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 25min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (4.5K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two broke teen waitresses just want a beach trip, but life throws drugs, jail, eviction, and a terrible poop situation at them first.
🍿 Never Goin’ Back: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Desperate for a Beach Escape
Best friends and high school dropouts, Angela and Jessie, share a cramped apartment in suburban Texas. Their primary goal is a dream week-long trip to the beach in Galveston, a stark contrast to their mundane lives working at a local diner. Angela impulsively spends their rent money on booking the beach vacation, creating immediate financial pressure. The girls are counting on working extra shifts at the diner to make back the rent before their landlord comes knocking.

Unexpected Hurdles and Bad Decisions
Life quickly throws multiple obstacles their way. Their apartment is robbed, taking some of their few possessions. This adds another layer of chaos to their already precarious situation. Their attempts to earn money are thwarted by a series of mishaps and poor choices. They face the risk of losing their jobs at the diner due to their antics and unreliable behavior, further jeopardizing their ability to pay rent and fund their trip.

Escalating Chaos
As their deadline to pay rent approaches, Angela and Jessie find themselves increasingly desperate. Their misadventures involve encounters with drug dealers (including Jessie’s brother), accidental drug use, and run-ins with the law. The series of chaotic events pushes their friendship and their ability to navigate adulthood to the brink. They must somehow survive the next few days and find a way to achieve their simple goal of reaching the beach.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Angela (Maia Mitchell): A high school dropout focused on reaching her planned beach trip with her best friend despite financial and legal troubles.
- Jessie (Camila Morrone): Angela’s best friend and fellow high school dropout who navigates chaotic misadventures while trying to get to the beach.
- Noel (James LaBounty II): Jessie’s brother and roommate whose drug dealing activities contribute to the girls’ precarious living situation.
- Roderick (Marcus M. Mauldin): Noel’s roommate and friend involved in the household’s drug-related issues.
- Brandon (Kyle Mooney): A distinctive character who becomes involved in the girls’ escalating series of chaotic events.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Angela: “Jessie, get up. You have to get up now because I have something really, really awesome to show you.” – Angela wakes Jessie up with excitement, promising a great surprise that kicks off their chaotic day.
- Jessie: “Did you draw a dick on my face?” – Jessie’s blunt reaction upon waking up to Angela’s ‘awesome’ surprise, immediately establishing their crude and playful dynamic.
- Angela: “Dude, I puked him to death!” – Exclaimed by one of the girls in disbelief after accidentally throwing up on someone during a wild encounter.
- Jessie: “That Weed Butta Will Eff You Up” – Said in reference to potent edible marijuana they consume, leading to a significant portion of the film’s comedic chaos.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $500,000
- Domestic Gross: $61,271
- Worldwide Gross: $61,271
💥 Never Goin’ Back Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched “Never Goin’ Back” because I heard it was this wild, chaotic indie comedy about two girls, and honestly, it delivered on the chaos! The relationship between Angela and Jessie was the absolute best part. Whether you see them as just best friends or something more, their dynamic felt so real and lived-in. They just click, and you totally buy that they’d go through anything together, no matter how dumb. The humor is definitely not for everyone – it’s crude, it’s messy, and there’s a whole plotline about needing to use the bathroom that is somehow both gross and hilarious? But the scene where they eat those special cookies and everything just goes gloriously wrong? That was pure comedy gold and exactly what I signed up for. It’s a messy, funny, sometimes uncomfortable look at trying to make the best of a bad situation when you’re young and broke.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of independent cinema, particularly A24 films”
- “Viewers who enjoy character-driven buddy comedies”
- “Those interested in raw, slice-of-life portrayals of teenage life”
- “Audiences who appreciate stoner comedies or films with similar themes like ‘Tangerine’, ‘Pineapple Express’, or ‘Dazed and Confused'”
- “Fans of lead actresses Maia Mitchell and Camila Morrone”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude sexual content”
- “Strong language”
- “Drug use (including teens)”
- “Brief nudity”
- “Mature themes involving teenagers”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “”Never Goin’ Back” captures a specific brand of aimless, chaotic youth with surprising warmth. While the gross-out humor might not land for everyone, the authentic chemistry between Maia Mitchell and Camila Morrone is undeniable. They make the desperate, often cringe-worthy situations feel lived-in and strangely endearing. It’s a raw, energetic buddy flick that finds unexpected heart amidst the mess.
- Sundance Review: “Augustine Frizzell’s debut is a hilariously raunchy and surprisingly poignant look at two high school dropouts just trying to get by. Mitchell and Morrone are perfectly cast, embodying their characters’ reckless spirit and deep bond. The film leans hard into its low-budget aesthetic, creating a sense of gritty realism that makes the absurdity even funnier. A memorable and energetic ride.
Audience Reactions
The stoner scene where Angela and Jessie are high on edibles was a major highlight for many, sparking huge laughs.: Most viewers praised the incredible chemistry and natural performances of the lead actresses, finding their bond relatable and entertaining despite the characters’ questionable decisions.
Overall Consensus: A divisive but often hilarious low-budget indie comedy powered by the fantastic chemistry of its two lead actresses, appreciated by those who enjoy raunchy, character-driven stoner flicks about marginalized youth.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on director Augustine Frizzell’s real-life teenage experiences growing up in Texas with her best friend.”
- “The diner where Angela and Jessie work was filmed at The Buttermilk Cafe & Bakery in Bedford, Texas.”
- “The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, garnering critical attention for its authentic portrayal of teenage life on the fringes.”
🖥️ How to Watch Never Goin’ Back?
To watch “Never Goin’ Back” (2018), check major digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu, where it’s typically available for rent or purchase. Availability on subscription streaming services varies over time, so consult your preferred platform’s library. The film was released theatrically by A24.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Never Goin’ Back, you might like these similar films:
- Tangerine (2015): Shares a raw, indie, slice-of-life feel following marginalized characters through chaotic misadventures.
- Spring Breakers (2012): Features young women seeking escape and getting caught up in crime and wild situations, with a distinct visual and thematic style.
- Pineapple Express (2008): A stoner buddy comedy centered around crime and chaotic situations, similar to the girls’ drug-fueled misadventures.
- Dazed and Confused (1993): A classic youth film with an episodic structure focusing on teenagers hanging out, dealing with drugs, and navigating life’s fringes.
- The Big Lebowski (1998): A cult classic known for its slacker/stoner humor, quirky characters, and rambling plot involving crime and misadventure.
🛒 Never Goin’ Back Related Products
- Never Goin’ Back [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed indie hit on Blu-ray, featuring vibrant HD picture and bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews.
- Never Goin’ Back Official Movie Poster Print: A high-quality print of the striking official movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your love for this unique film.
- “That Weed Butta Will Eff You Up” T-Shirt: Wear a memorable quote from the movie’s funniest scene on this comfortable graphic tee.
- Stoner Comedy Film Collection (Includes Similar Titles): A curated digital bundle featuring ‘Never Goin’ Back’ alongside other beloved films in the stoner comedy genre.
🎧 Soundtrack
Never Goin’ Back features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” – performed by Michael Bolton
- “Original Score” – performed by Sarah Jaffe
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
“Never Goin’ Back” is a comedy-drama about two teenage high school dropouts and best friends, Angela and Jessie, who are trying to earn money for a beach trip after impulsively spending their rent money. A series of chaotic misadventures involving their jobs, friends, and run-ins with the law complicates their plan.
Yes, the film is loosely based on the real-life teenage experiences of the writer and director, Augustine Frizzell, and her best friend when they were 15 years old.
The film portrays Angela and Jessie as very close best friends with a deep bond. While some viewer interpretations suggest a romantic or queer relationship based on their intimacy and dialogue, the movie itself doesn’t explicitly define their relationship beyond intensely close friendship. Reviews and summaries often refer to them as best friends or sometimes ambiguously.
“Never Goin’ Back” is rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, drug use, and brief nudity, all involving teens. This indicates mature themes and content not suitable for younger viewers.
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