Following her direction of many television shows and documentary films, as well as her 1996 Oscar win for Best Documentary Short Subject, director Jessica Yu next tackles the fairly underrepresented topic of the sister comedy. Her film, Quiz Lady, stars Awkwafina and Sandra Oh as two sisters who could not be more different. After learning that their gambling-addicted mom has fled the country, sisters Anne and Jenny go on a road trip to participate in a television quiz show to try to win enough money to pay off her debts. Although very by the books in the comedy genre, the film stands out in its defiance of audience expectations surrounding traditional roles played in the past by Awkwafina and Oh, as well as positive Asian representation in the comedy genre and a run-time jam packed with jokes.

Played by Awkwafina, Anne is a shy, quiet girl who enjoys her routine. Each day she wakes up, goes to work, walks the dog, and eats the same meals, spending every single evening tuning into her favourite quiz show, with host played by Will Ferrell. Estranged from her older sister Jenny, played by Sandra Oh, the two are reunited when a call comes from the retirement home their mother resides in informing them that their mother, who has been addicted to gambling since the women were children, has left the country. Learning that their mother fled the United States due to a debt she could not pay off, and following Jenny’s realization that Anne is a whiz at the quiz, Jenny hatches a plan to get Anne on the show, to not only win the money they so desperately need, but to also help Anne with a much needed ego boost.

Awkwafina and Sandra Oh’s chemistry as sisters is palpable, as the two so easily riff off of each other throughout the film. In moments of playful bickering, serious deep talks, and moments of much-needed sisterly love, Awkwafina and Oh perfectly capture the complex relationship between sisters that persists past childhood and teenage years. Their stories lead to a pen-ultimate final high stakes performance, in which they are able to encapsulate everything that a sisterly-bond is and providing a hilarious finale. Alongside Awkwafina and Oh, Will Ferrell tones it down from his usual over-the-top hamminess to let the women shine, and Jason Schwartzman as the rival game show whiz gives an annoyingly brilliant performance. Tony Hale’s small and ridiculous role in the film will become a highlight for many, and Holland Taylor’s role as Anne’s cranky neighbour will be sure to remind viewers of at least one person they know.

The film takes a risk in casting Awkwafina and Sandra Oh in roles opposite to the ones they usually are expected to play by casual audiences of the two actors. With Awkwafina often associated with her role in Crazy Rich Asians, as the erratic best friend, and Sandra Oh often thought of alongside her stoic role in Grey’s Anatomy, the women personify the role that the other is often known for in Quiz Lady. Awkwafina excels at creating Anne, the closed-off, tightly wound introvert, while Sandra Oh fully embodies the aloof and loose older sister full of quick quips and a chaotic energy. Going against what audiences have come to expect from these two women ends up being a huge win for Quiz Lady, and a testament to the abilities of both actors.

Quiz Lady is a fun, charming, and heart-warming new comedy film from Oscar-winning director Jessica Yu. While being a very by the bones comedy film and not really pushing any boundaries cinematically, Quiz Lady is refreshing in its total embrace of the sisterly bond that is hard to break, despite troubled pasts. With hilarious performances from Awkwafina and Sandra Oh, as well as Will Ferrell, Jason Schwartzman, Tony Hale, and Holland Taylor, Quiz Lady is a guaranteed fun time the family or with friends come its home streaming release in November.

Quiz Lady was screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released on Hulu and Disney+ on November 3.