‘Spa Weekend’ Review: Leslie Mann and Isla Fisher Go Underserved in a Lukewarm Bath of a Comedy

The film Spa Weekend follows three overworked Los Angeles lawyers—Jane (Leslie Mann), Sophie (Anna Faris), and Coco (Michelle Buteau)—who book a spa weekend getaway to escape their demanding lives. The premise is simple: a two-night retreat in Malibu (though the production is shot in Australia), where they hope to finally take time for themselves. However, their trip quickly spirals into chaos when Mel (Isla Fisher), a last-minute guest with a reputation for causing trouble, disrupts their plans. Mel’s antics—from meddling in their personal lives to causing scenes—dominate the film, but the story ultimately feels underdeveloped. The characters are one-dimensional, and the humor, while occasionally amusing, lacks depth. The film’s message, that society needs women like Mel to break free from societal expectations, is undermined by its own lack of nuance. Despite a talented cast, Spa Weekend fails to deliver beyond a familiar formula of comedy and self-help tropes.