'Shortcomings' trailer is a compelling glimpse of a strong debut and a breakout performance

It's Randall Park's directorial debut, but you're going to be obsessed with Sherry Cola.
By Caitlin Welsh  on 
Two people, a man and a woman, sit across from one another at a diner table
Watch Next

There's a quiet but strong buzz around Shortcomings, a film adaptation of Adrian Tomine's cult graphic novel of the same name directed by first-timer Randall Park. (If you somehow don't already know Park from Fresh off the Boat, the MCU, or Always Be My Maybe, "Asian Jim" might ring a bell). Park's assured debut is "a slice-of-life comedy that prefers understated, wince-worthy jokes to out-there laugh riots", says Mashable's Belen Edwards in her review.

Shortcomings is the story of Ben, "a jerk who won't acknowledge his flaws", as he struggles with his romantic relationships with the support of his equally messy best friend Alice (Sherry Cola). While praise for the film's performances, script, and direction have been solid across the board, it's Cola who's getting the most raves — and with her raunchy girls'-trip comedy Joy Ride out next month, she's shaping up to have a great summer. Even in Alice's brief appearances in the trailer above, she's clearly a star.

Shortcomings hits theaters Aug. 4.

Topics Trailers

Mashable Image
Caitlin Welsh

Caitlin is Mashable's Australian Editor. She has written for The Guardian, Junkee, and any number of plucky little music and culture publications that were run on the smell of an oily rag and have since been flushed off the Internet like a dead goldfish by their new owners. She also worked at Choice, Australia's consumer advocacy non-profit and magazine, and as such has surprisingly strong opinions about whitegoods. She enjoys big dumb action movies, big clever action movies, cult Canadian comedies set in small towns, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Replacements, smoky mezcal, revenge bedtime procrastination, and being left the hell alone when she's reading.


Latest Videos
Samsung Unpacked 2024 in Less Than 15 Minutes
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024

Exclusive: 'Culture Capital' trailer explores entrepreneurship in diverse communities
Culture Capital promo image


Elliot Page's 'Close to You' trailer promises a moving tale of going home again
Elliot Page in "Close to You".


'House of the Dragon' stars Ewan Mitchell and Fabien Frankel share dragon and horse riding secrets
Ewan Mitchell & Fabien Frankel during an interview with host Jimmy Fallon

Seth Meyers takes a brutal 'Closer Look' at pro-Trump Project 2025
Seth Meyers presents "Late Night" beside an image from "The Last of Us."

What's up with Nintendo and this creepy smiling figure?
A creepy still from "Emio" showing a person with a bag over their head emblazoned with a smile.

Netflix's 'The Decameron' trailer promises Bacchanalian excess during the Black Death
In "The Decameron" a group of nobles giggle at a dinner table.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!