Filmmaking and sketch comedy partners Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney, collectively known as BriTANick, are making significant strides in their careers with the release of their feature directorial debut, Pizza Movie, on Hulu, and their written work on the upcoming theatrical release, Over Your Dead Body. The duo, celebrated for their sharp wit and distinctive comedic voice, recently delved into the creative processes behind these projects, navigating the evolving landscape of comedy distribution, and the unexpected journey of a film title.
The Unlikely Genesis of Pizza Movie
BriTANick’s directorial debut, Pizza Movie, a self-described "stoner comedy for theater kids," stars Gaten Matarazzo of Stranger Things fame, alongside Sean Giambrone and Lulu Wilson. The film’s unassuming title itself has a story, evolving from an internal working title, Untitled Pizza Movie, to its final, somewhat unconventional form. Kocher and McElhaney admit to a prolonged struggle in naming the film, a creative challenge that mirrors their two-decade-old difficulty in naming their sketch comedy partnership, which eventually became "BriTANick"—a fusion of their first names and "Titanic."
McElhaney recounted the extensive polling of friends for title ideas, none of which garnered unanimous approval. "I remember shouting, ‘We cannot call this Pizza Movie! That is the worst title in the world,’" he confessed. However, the title eventually endeared itself to the filmmakers through a clever narrative device: a joke embedded within the film that pays off unexpectedly 83 minutes into its runtime. Kocher elaborated, "Now I deeply love it because it is all the setup for this punchline." This meta-commentary not only justifies the title but also exemplifies BriTANick’s characteristic blend of self-awareness and comedic subversion, a hallmark of their work since their early days on YouTube.
The film follows the hallucinatory misadventures of college students Jack (Matarazzo), Montgomery (Giambrone), and Lizzy (Wilson) as they embark on a quest to retrieve a pizza from their dormitory lobby. The pizza is their only hope to alleviate the intense effects of an experimental drug they have ingested. This premise allows BriTANick to explore various comedic genres and visual styles, transforming the drug trip into a series of distinct, often nightmarish, phases.
From YouTube Pioneers to Feature Directors: A Career Trajectory
Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney first gained prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s through their YouTube channel, BriTANick. Their meticulously crafted, often absurd, and highly intelligent sketch comedy quickly garnered a loyal following, establishing them as pioneers in the burgeoning world of online comedic content. Their sketches, characterized by intricate wordplay, unexpected twists, and a blend of highbrow and lowbrow humor, set a benchmark for independent digital comedy. This early success positioned them at the forefront of a movement that democratized content creation, allowing new voices to bypass traditional gatekeepers in Hollywood.
Their talent eventually led them to the prestigious writing staff of Saturday Night Live, where they contributed to one of television’s most iconic sketch comedy institutions. This transition from viral internet sensations to mainstream television writers provided them with invaluable experience in the industry, honing their craft in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. Pizza Movie marks their first foray into feature film directing, a natural progression for a duo that has consistently sought to expand their creative horizons. Their unique perspective, shaped by years of crafting concise, impactful online sketches and longer-form television comedy, is evident in the film’s structure and pacing.
The Antagonistic RAs and Psychedelic Inspiration
A standout element in Pizza Movie is the portrayal of the Resident Assistants (RAs) as tyrannical antagonists, particularly Jack Martin’s Blake. The filmmakers intentionally elevated the RAs to the status of formidable villains, drawing parallels to "the Orcs of the Lord of the Rings world or the roving Nazis of Inglourious Basterds." This exaggerated villainy serves as a comedic cornerstone, contrasting sharply with the mundane setting of a college dorm. Kocher highlighted the humor in Blake’s commitment to villainy, especially while wearing a "spread love" T-shirt, creating a deliciously ironic character.
McElhaney explained their casting choice for Blake, noting that many established comedy actors auditioned, but Martin’s straight, serious portrayal was far more unsettling and, consequently, funnier. "We wanted to shoot it and have it be performed as if it was from a different film. Blake does not exist in a college comedy; he exists in a prestige film," McElhaney stated, underscoring their commitment to a distinct tonal approach for the character.
The film’s central conceit—a fictional experimental drug that induces various nightmarish phases—was born from both personal experience and structural necessity. Kocher admitted to having "horrific trips on shrooms" that inspired elements of the movie, particularly the intensified effects when taken on an empty stomach. McElhaney added that the decision to create a fictional drug allowed them greater creative freedom to "turn the drug into different genres and sketches," with its varying phases serving as structural devices to explore diverse comedic styles and avoid constant high states. This allowed for moments of temporary sobriety, punctuating the psychedelic chaos and enhancing the narrative’s dynamic.
Gaten Matarazzo’s Post-Stranger Things Pivot
Pizza Movie represents a significant departure for Gaten Matarazzo, marking his first major project after the global phenomenon Stranger Things. The tonal shift of Pizza Movie, with its "raunchy stoner comedy for theater kids" vibe, likely appealed to Matarazzo as an opportunity to showcase his range beyond the beloved character of Dustin Henderson. BriTANick emphasized their rigorous audition process, even for established actors, to ensure a perfect fit for the roles and a shared commitment to the film’s unique vision.
Matarazzo’s "Jack read was so special and great," Kocher recalled, noting that the actor also offered valuable suggestions during a significant script rewrite. McElhaney praised Matarazzo’s dedication: "You have the keys to the kingdom from Stranger Things. Why are you doing this low-budget comedy from two unknowns? And he was like, ‘Dude, I just want to do great stuff.’" This commitment to artistic integrity over commercial expediency, even taking a "massive pay cut," underscores Matarazzo’s ambition to expand his repertoire and signals a promising future for the young star. The rewrite also saw a significant shift in character arcs, particularly the romantic pairings and the transformation of Peyton Elizabeth Lee’s Ashley from a "cardboard" journalism major to a "fully insane" character, demonstrating the duo’s iterative and character-driven writing process.
The Shifting Sands of Comedy Distribution: Theatrical vs. Streaming
The release of Pizza Movie directly onto Hulu highlights a broader trend in the entertainment industry: the decline of theatrical releases for comedies. BriTANick, while aware Pizza Movie was always intended for streaming, did explore theatrical distribution. Their humorous response to the lack of a big-screen release, involving Matarazzo and Giambrone standing atop a picnic table to lament their rejected wish, drew inspiration from Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme playbook. Hulu, to their credit, embraced this meta-commentary, allowing the duo to playfully critique industry trends.
Kocher and McElhaney offered insightful analysis into comedy’s diminishing box office appeal. Kocher posited that the ubiquity of comedy on social media—from TikToks to tweets—has lowered the "barrier to entry" for laughter, making the effort of going to a movie theater for comedy less compelling. "Everything on your phone is also a comedy sketch," he noted. McElhaney acknowledged their own contribution to this phenomenon as early internet comedy pioneers, stating, "We’re complaining about the thing that we began." This "double-edged sword" effect, while democratizing access for young talent, has also created "a ton of noise and distraction."
Despite these challenges, both filmmakers remain staunch believers in the communal power of laughter in a theater. McElhaney contrasted comedy’s decline with the sustained box office success of horror and action films, arguing that audiences are still eager for shared comedic experiences. Kocher echoed Ryan Gosling’s sentiment: filmmakers must create "something so good and so undeniable that it gets people to the theaters." This underscores a renewed imperative for quality and originality in theatrical comedies to draw audiences away from their digital screens.
Collaborating with a Comedy Idol: Over Your Dead Body
While Pizza Movie finds its home on streaming, BriTANick also has a theatrical release this month: Over Your Dead Body, a dark comedy-thriller they wrote, directed by Jorma Taccone and starring Samara Weaving and Jason Segel. The film is a remake of Tommy Wirkola’s 2021 Norwegian film, The Trip. This collaboration was a "dream come true" for Kocher and McElhaney, who are long-time admirers of Taccone’s sketch comedy trio, The Lonely Island.
Kocher recounted the initial meeting with Taccone, who was unaware of their SNL writing background. Upon learning it, Taccone offered a "huge hug—the hug of war veterans who’ve been in the battle trenches together," signifying an immediate bond and shared understanding. The Lonely Island, which left SNL four years before BriTANick arrived, had a profound influence on their comedic development. This shared comedic sensibility and "immediate shorthand" made the collaboration seamless, with Kocher expressing a desire to "work with him for the rest of our lives."
The adaptation of The Trip involved more than just changing character names. BriTANick focused on injecting "inside Hollywood jokes" and making the lead couple’s relationship and careers more specific to the acting and filmmaking world. Jason Segel’s character, for example, is an indie film director struggling after an early success, rather than a soap opera director as in the original. A significant creative change was altering the gender of one of the main antagonists, which "opened up a different perspective" and allowed for a parallel relationship story. Despite these modifications, they praised Wirkola’s original structure, which provided a strong foundation. Wirkola himself was reportedly supportive of the remake, trusting the new creative team to make it their own.
The Unique Sensibility of BriTANick and Future Endeavors
BriTANick’s distinct comedic sensibility is further highlighted by the unexpected voice cameo in Pizza Movie: Daniel Radcliffe as Lysander, a butterfly. Kocher revealed that Radcliffe, known to them through mutual friends, enthusiastically agreed to the role, even trying out multiple voices, including a "British fop" version that might surface in special features. McElhaney lauded Radcliffe’s unwavering commitment to any project, regardless of its scale, calling him "a star" for his eager professionalism.
Looking ahead, Kocher and McElhaney aim to continue their dual roles as writers and directors, striking a balance between projects that allow for their unique BriTANick style and those that challenge them to explore new genres and collaborate with others. They have several projects in development, including a rewrite for a New Line film that ventures into a "very, very different area" from their current work. This month’s releases, Pizza Movie and Over Your Dead Body, serve as a "good distillation of what we like to do," showcasing their ability to deliver their signature comedic voice while also branching out into new territories.
Their journey from pioneering internet sketch comedians to feature film directors and sought-after screenwriters underscores their adaptability and enduring creative vision. BriTANick’s career reflects the dynamic nature of the entertainment industry, where the lines between traditional and digital content, and between writing and directing, continue to blur. As they navigate this evolving landscape, their commitment to originality, wit, and a touch of meta-humor ensures their continued relevance and influence in the world of comedy.
Pizza Movie is now streaming on Hulu. Over Your Dead Body opens in theaters on April 24.
