“Idiots,” directed by Macon Blair, is an R-rated indie comedy that attempts to revive the raunchy, testosterone-driven bro comedies popular in the 2000s, such as “Pineapple Express” and “The Hangover.” The film, which has been in development for over a decade, follows a road trip involving three mismatched characters and leans heavily on crude humor and absurd set pieces to engage its audience.

The story centers on Mark (Dave Franco), a call center employee who is asked to leave his job after coasting by playing violent video games and drinking whiskey during work hours. Mark teams up with Davis (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), a softhearted hustler, to transport several troubled teens to a rehab facility. Their first passenger is Sheridan (Mason Thames), a moody social media influencer notorious for cruel pranks, evoking comparisons to figures like Jake Paul. The trio’s journey takes them across a series of low-rent locations—from diners to motels to a Slavic grandmother’s home—while Sheridan resists his forced rehab stay.

The cast’s chemistry is a highlight, likely enhanced by previous collaborations among Franco, Jackson, and Thames across other projects. Kiernan Shipka makes a notable impression as a tough Eastern European stripper who briefly joins the group after performing an intense lap dance. Supporting roles include Mike as a pastor challenging Davis for exposing church kids to explicit films, Peter Dinklage as Karl “Koko” Sandoz, leader of a crust punk gang, and Nicholas Braun portraying a tattooed, gold-grilled aspiring rapper.

While “Idiots” features moments of inventive and outrageous humor—such as a grotesque visual gag involving bodily functions and sharp satirical lines mocking internet culture slang—the film struggles to maintain momentum. The narrative becomes increasingly convoluted, particularly in its final act, and the story’s loose ends are left inadequately resolved. Comparisons to other dark comedies that delve deeper into themes of internet fame and psychological consequences, like “Ingrid Goes West” or Quentin Dupieux’s “The Piano Accident,” highlight “Idiots” somewhat limited thematic scope.

Originally titled “Shitheads,” the film’s distribution was picked up by IFC, suggesting a more modest release than the wider theatrical rollout that might have been envisaged given its cast and style. “Idiots” was released in the United States on August 28, and is scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom on October 2, with an Australian release date yet to be announced.