Movie Review: XOXO – Great Music, But Not a Lot of Depth.

Release Date: Friday, August 26, 2016 Globally on Netflix

Distributor: Netflix

Cast: Sarah Hyland, Graham Phillips, Brett DelBuono, Chris D’Elia, Hayley Kiyoko, Colin Wodell, Ryan Hansen, Ian Anthony Dale, and Ione Skye

Director: Christopher Louie

Written by: Dylan Meyer

Running time: 1hr 32 minutes

Reviewer Rating: 3 stars ★★★★★

Synopsis: XOXO is an ensemble, coming-of-age movie about a group of early 20-somethings on a crazy adventure to the biggest EDM festival in America, XOXO. The film follows six strangers whose lives collide in one frenetic, dream-chasing, hopelessly romantic night. At the center is Ethan, a young DJ who gets a last minute slot to perform after his tracks go viral online days before the festival. This is a huge opportunity… if he can just make it there in one piece. View trailer below.

Break out your platform shoes, glow sticks, and neon clothing because XOXO is about to take you on a trip…well, sort of. If you’re looking for a fun, high energy, psychedelic, music fueled film, then XOXO is right up your alley. If you’re looking for more depth and meaning to this film, you may be slightly disappointed. While there is a strong message regarding following your dreams, some of the dialogue and actions feel shallow. There are also some scenes that seem to go on too long, making them feel unnecessary. XOXO is perfect if you’re looking for mindless fun with a few “aww” moments thrown in.

Sarah Hyland as Krystal
Photo CR: ©2016 Sara Swaty Roger/Netflix

XOXO is not a ‘coming of age’ tale as described in the synopsis above; rather, it’s a ‘coming to a realization’ tale that life isn’t always how you think it should be (or try to wish into reality). What I enjoyed about XOXO is that what you think will happen doesn’t or it may not materialize in the way you think it will. There are some predictable plot scenarios, but overall, XOXO is about exploring the bonds of friendship and how far one is willing to go to pursue their dreams. It also explores the romanticism many people have about finding their “soul mates.” Do they even exist? There is also a cautionary tale about kissing strangers. At a music festival, you may want to steer clear of allowing random people to jump on you and shove their tongues down your throat. You don’t know where their mouth has been or what’s been in it. Seriously; carry antiseptic mouthwash with you at all times.

Krystal (Sarah Hyland) is about to embark on an epic journey to find Jordan (Henry Zaga), the man/boy of her dreams…blah blah blah. Let’s talk about how Krystal needs to choose better friends. It’s like they don’t even know her at all. All Krystal’s friends want to do is hang out in the VIP lounge and get drunk while all she wants to do is meet up with Jordan, who she’s been texting (non-stop) since before she even got to the damn festival. Krystal, get off your phone; enjoy what’s around you. Hyland gives a great performance, making you empathize with Krystal, to a certain point. Hyland is endearing in her portrayl of a wide-eyed girl looking for what many of us are trying to find – love. We live in such a technology driven world, sometimes, you just need to turn it all off and soak up life. (No, I’m not going to give you some random Confucius affirmation. You know what to do.)

Ian Anthony Dale as Anders. Photo CR: ©2016 Sara Swaty Roger/Netflix

There is a scene where Krystal is charging her phone in a back storage area and Anders (Ian Anthony Dale), the guy who created the XOXO festival, walks in. Man, is he smoking hot! I became keenly interested in the film when Dale came onscreen. I kept thinking Krystal has no clue how insanely sexy Dale is because she’s so wrapped up in her romantic notions of some random dude being her potential soul mate after a month of texting. You can’t know whether a person is ‘the one’ until you see them, up close and personal, and feel if there is any chemistry between you. All I can say is if I met someone like Anders, I’d definitely want to feel his chemistry. Up close. And very personal. Yeah.

Graham Phillips as Ethan. Photo CR: ©2016 Sara Swaty Roger/Netflix

Meanwhile, Ethan (Graham Phillips) gets the news that Tariq (Brett DelBuono), his best friend and manager, scored him a last minute spot to DJ at the XOXO Festival. This is huge for an up and coming DJ, but Ethan is unsure of himself and not completely confident in his music. Throughout the film, Ethan and Tariq are on separate journeys, each trying to get to the same place. Ethan’s family is very supportive of his musical ambitions. His mother, Susan (Ione Skye), wanted to be a singer but gave up her dreams when she became pregnant with Ethan at a young age. Ironically, during an interview, Phillips talks about his experiences in college being a DJ. Phillips give a convincing performance of a young man struggling with his confidence.

Tariq’s family is very traditional and wants Tariq to be thankful for having a job in the family business. They don’t encourage him to dream outside the box. Tariq’s journey to get to XOXO in time for Ethan’s gig takes a weird turn that takes the audience on a strange drug-induced ride into the psyche of a young man trying desperately to reach his friend and prove himself. Some of this feels a bit displaced in the actual grand plot of the film. Did we really need to have that port-o-potty scene? So gross.

Brett DelBuono as Tariq.
Photo CR: ©2016 Sara Swaty Roger/Netflix

While I thoroughly enjoyed the musical aspect of XOXO, particularly because I frigging love EDM (electronic dance music) and the title track “All I Ever Wanted” has a fantastic beat; however, if you have issues with drug use or are prone to motion sickness, there are a few moments in the film that may make you want to hurl (i.e. the porto-o-potty scene).

XOXO is a great film for those looking to get their feet wet in the EDM culture. If you’re already versed in EDM, then perhaps this film is more of a trip down memory lane where you can identify with some of the wild inhabitants on the party bus, like Bo (Scotty Dickert). Dickert gives an amazing performance as the token “druggie.” His interactions with both Ethan and Krystal throughout the film are hilarious and illuminating.

XOXO Trailer

Watch XOXO on Netflix starting Friday, August 26, 2016 at https://www.netflix.com/title/80057691.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.