The Binge

Did You Know?

• Principal photography began in September 2019 in Syracuse, New York.
• LD Entertainment and American High produced the film.
• A Christmas-themed sequel, It's a Wonderful Binge, was released on December 9, 2022, directed by Jordan VanDina and starring Kaitlin Olson, Tim Meadows, Eduardo Franco, Danny Trejo, and Dexter Darden.

Plot

After a series of accidents, the United States congress prohibits all alcohol and drugs, except for one day called the Binge, when they are permitted for 12 hours. In 2032, high school friends Griffin, Andrew, and Hags prepare for the Binge. They visit Seb, Andrew's brother, to get wristbands for a party, but are threatened by Seb and escape. The group reaches Sarah's home and rides in her limo, where they try cigarettes offered by driver Pompano Mike. They are later kicked out after accidentally hitting a cow. Seb takes them to a restaurant where they eat burritos spiked with magic mushrooms. At the party, they win games, and Hags becomes a Binge legend. After the day ends, Griffin develops a relationship with Lena.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating based on reviews, with an average rating; the critics consensus reads: 'The Binge starts out with the promise of a fun time, but gets sloppy on bottom-shelf humor and stumbles face down into the gutter.' On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 35 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating 'generally unfavorable' reviews. John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter praised the cast's performances, especially Vince Vaughn's part, despite noting the characters lack outstanding characteristics and that Jordan VanDina's script delivers absurdities leaving questions unanswered.

Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic rated the movie three out of five stars, finding Vaughn's part one of the best aspects and praising the depiction of strong friendship, but stating the film fails to deliver enough good jokes. Molly Freeman of Screen Rant rated the movie two and a half out of five stars, finding the premise quick to apprehend and complimenting how characters explore their world, but claiming the film lacks an entertaining story and that characters are undeveloped.

Tomris Laffly of RogerEbert.com rated the film two out of four stars, praising the complicity between main characters and the sense of humor, but stating Vaughn's shy performance as the villain is barely remarkable and that the movie does not deliver enough humorous scenes for a comedy.