A lighthearted reality-show romance with clichés galore, The Wrong Paris trades plausibility for charm. Miranda Cosgrove leads a formulaic but fun journey from small-town hopes to messy emotions, delivering an ending that tries to balance love and ambition. Perfect if you’re in the mood for guilty pleasure over nuance.
Plot Overview
Dawn (Miranda Cosgrove) is a small-town waitress and aspiring artist who dreams of studying art in Paris, France, but lacks the funds. When her grandmother’s medical bills eat into her savings, her sister encourages her to join a reality dating show called The Honeypot, which claims it’s filming in Paris. Dawn hopes the appearance fee will fund her education. The twist: it’s not Paris, France, but Paris, Texas.
As Dawn competes, intending to get eliminated early, she unexpectedly reconnects with Trey (Pierson Fodé), a cowboy bachelor she met prior. Her romantic feelings deepen, creating tension between her goal of art school and the pull of love. The finale forces a choice: stick to her original dream or follow her heart.
Cast & Performances
Miranda Cosgrove stands as the backbone of the film, bringing earnestness to Dawn—even when the script pushes her into predictable “small-town underdog” territory. She handles comedic beats with ease, though moments meant to be touching sometimes feel flat because the foundation of her character’s backstory isn’t as strong as it could be.
Pierson Fodé, as Trey, brings warmth and sincerity. His rugged, charm-cowboy persona fits well in this kind of role, and he anchors many of the more tender scenes. The chemistry between the leads is enough to make you root for them, though it occasionally struggles to reach the spark needed to overcome the script’s clichés.
Supporting cast members represent archetypes—from influencers to rivals—but most are underused. Yvonne Orji, as the producer, adds flavor to the proceedings, and there are moments of fun with the contestant-group dynamics, but few characters outside the central pair leave a strong impression.
Direction, Tone & Technical Elements
Director Janeen Damian and writer Nicole Henrich clearly understand the rom-com playbook. The film leans heavily into familiar tropes: reality show commentary, mistaken settings, love at first (or very soon) sight, and the dramatic tension of choosing between ambition and romance. There isn’t much originality beyond the premise.
Visually, the film is glossy and dashes through settings that are more fantasy than grounded. Editing and pacing are uneven: some scenes drag, others feel rushed, especially when shifting between Dawn’s internal conflict and the romantic plot. Camera work is serviceable for this genre, though critics have noted awkward framing at times and moments where realism is sacrificed for aesthetic.
The script’s tone is playful; it doesn’t hide its silliness and leans into the absurd. If you expect deep emotional exploration or clever satire, you might be disappointed. But if you’re okay with embracing the cliché, there’s comfort in its predictability.
Moments That Work & Miss
- What works: The premise of Paris vs. Paris (France vs. Texas) is amusing and gives the film its identity. Some scenes manage to tug at the heart—especially around Dawn’s financial struggles and her desire to pursue her passion. The ending earns points for being a little more thoughtful than what the buildup might suggest.
- What misses: Many of the supporting contestants are one-note, serving more as caricatures than fully formed characters. The dialogue occasionally leans into cringeworthy or forced territory. The emotional transformation of Dawn—from a financially pressured dreamer to someone making self-sacrifices—feels under-justified in spots. You believe the love stuff, but only just.
Final Thoughts
The Wrong Paris is not a rom-com that will redefine the genre. It doesn’t fully escape its clichés, and it doesn’t pretend to. What it delivers is a glossy, lightly comedic ride with enough genuine feeling to make viewers smile. If you’re in the mood for something escapist, sweet, and not too complicated, this one fits the bill. But if you expect tight storytelling, emotional depth, or a big twist, you might come away wanting more.
Bullseye Rating:★★★ (3/5 stars)
The Wrong Paris is currently streaming on Netflix.
