The Text

"Are you driving your qurstion car into answer city? And i'm the mayor? Do you expect me tk have all the answers?"
This is going into my daily vocabulary

"I have a silly app, but you're a silly man" had me losing my mind

Trent's phone call is a relationship goal!

the unprompted "tinder has like a 10% success rate" killed me

Daxflame has the wonderful ability to make me feel physical pain in response to his character's awkwardness. Had to watch through my fingers as usual.

Francesca’s reaction to the text blew me away. What a twist, and a perfect way to respond-with humor, honesty, and levity. Francesca had a phenomenal performance. Love the ending.

That tune on the piano is so good. Perfect for the nasty regretful hangover and hearing it louder when the bedroom door opens and realising it was someone actually playing and not just edited in was awesome. I myself had a friend's 30th birthday at our house and it was a good few hours of cleaning while feeling like garbage. Good times.

"You musta been kinda hammered making that app" Jesus Christ that's why they call him Dax FLAME.. what a burn

Dax continuously trying to take his phone back fucking broke me lol

One continuous take!? This is Brilliant Joel, the orchestration and pacing of this is all incredible.

Joel, allow me to enthusiastically exaggerate while praising you. You are one of the few creators on this platform who truly understands what this space is suppose to be. Fun. Silly, ridiculous, no strings attached fun.
With that out of the way, let me add that my love and appreciation for you and your work can never be exaggerated.

How everyone managed listening to Ben's pitch without dying laughing is a true feat in acting

Man I know he's not innocent and all, but I was getting so much second hand frustration when the friend decided to try and sabotage the date instead of just saying that he was bothered that his app was called silly.
Really well done

Not to denigrate your back catalogue in any way, but I hope you realize you're doing some of your best work this year.

joel, dude. this captures such a specific feeling in an incredible and uncomfortable way. loving what you're doing.

Top tier. the one continuous shot made the discomfort last for nearly the entire 48 minutes but really added to the feel of the "guys waking up after a party" vibe...

My one and only complaint is that Chekhov's Sword never went off.

this is one of my most favorites since "pretend that you love me"

27:20 "We're at an Air B&B, I'm hanging out with the boys-" "NOOOOOO" really got me. Incredible job. Loved the whole thing.

Man when she reads the text, it made the movie infinitely more watchable. Less uncomfortable. 😂

Very impressive how you were able to do this in one shot.
Ben as a soft boiled villain was perfect. Francesca was so natural, it didn't seem like acting. Calvin and Trent gave the scene a satisfying fullness, and of course Dax did Dax stuff like only Dax can do.
One 48 minute shot shouldn't be able to be this good. Bravo, Mr. Haver and friends.

"you gotta take that motorcycle crash part out" lmao

This is legitimately one of the best short films I've ever seen. I died laughing at the AI app pitch. Incredible work by everyone in it.

Amazing film, amazing cast, amazing sword. Who could ask for anything more? I can’t imagine the stress of filming a 1 shot movie within a 3 hour time frame

can’t wait to see what you’ve been working on with smiling friends

the buildup and reveal of the text is perfect

My heart hasn't beat this fast during a film since Uncut Gems. I felt my brain enter fight-or-flight mode when Dax was trying to stop the whiteboard from being brought out
Also my god the camerawork was amazing, would love to see some behind the scenes footage!

really great sound mixing going inbetween rooms and environments and still being able to hear everyone clearly

Love seeing you use wide screen!
Edit: just finished it, jeez man this is an amazing film. Instantly hooked from the very start, and the choreography is just stellar! Well done to you all!

The framing of the plot and the resolution coming full circle at the end was incredible

Joel I normally don't comment on videos but I just needed to say that this is really fucking good. Like genuinely every aspect of this is amazing, I really hope you're proud of this one.

Congratulations for collabing with Smiling Friends!

the way dynamics shift is absolutely intoxicating

The blocking and timing that went into this is A++, when that whiteboard started coming out I had “Scott’s Tots” flashbacks

Congratulations on the guest animation for smiling friends! Look forward to seeing you in the show!

ONE TAKE!??!
Dax is actually the most believable and natural actor on the planet, I think he is acting as himself instead when the camera isn't rolling? Truly, he's an enigma and a world class talent!! great cinematography and camera work! excellent choreography and acting!

SMILING FRIENDSSSSS

Joel,
so often I feel like you've made my favourite thing on youtube and then you do it again and it's completely different, I love this.

Saw you in the smiling friends season 2 trailer, you're officially a TV star! for what that counts.

Wow. One take, too?!
Dax is a powerhouse. It's so authentically cringe that I'm worried it's gonna ruin my day right now.
I'm going through texts I've sent in my head and stressing out about having written ones with this sort of weight. Breakups can definitely cause people to say regretful or cringe shit.
This film makes me wanna stop drinking more than Leaving Las Vegas did. This film carries a weird power. It's like a wake-up call.

It’s awesome how recognizable your style is. I recognized you 0.0001 seconds after you came into frame in Smiling Friends’ season 2 trailer. Way to go!

OMG THIS IS SO GOOD. Everyone crushed it!

LETS GOOOO!!!! I always love when Daxflame is in these

YOOO CONGRATS ON BECOMING A GUEST ON SMILING FRIENDS

One shotting this is crazy. Well done!

I love how "raw" this is. The drunk texting, discussing how to damage control with your friends, being stuck in an impossibly awkward social situation, that one friend who suddenly turns psycho after he feels you've slighted him... Watching these moments was definitely uncomfortable, yes. But I found great value in that, too - the fact that these tough moments are inextricable from life. When you're in these inescapable moments, you just want to sink into yourself, avert your gaze, cease existing. But you end up looking back at them wistfully, knowing the strong emotions tied to those events mean you've lived. Thus, you learn to embrace them.
To summarize my feelings in just three words, the sentiment -
"Such is life."

Wow, what a great project. Every character comes through so clearly and naturally. The thoughtfulness of the interactions between characters are all the more impressive given it being one take within the time window of the Oscars. They put on a performance that was positively immersive. It also highlights the depth of forethought that went into writing and shooting it. Bravo! What a work of art

This is a beautiful flowing narrative. This style hits me in a different place. Thank you Joel, and all the incredible people involved. What a great experience.
Unfortunately there’s only one good shot in this.

The quality of the acting in this is absolutely insane for one take. The jokes, the cringe, instantly captivating to watch from the start. Phenomenal work Joel!

Bro you're in smiling friends?!?!??!

Holy hell, Trent looks so great!

its so cool to see you on smiling friends

JOEL ARE YOU IN SMILING FRIENDS OR AM I INSANE

Joel Brother i fully did not intend to watch this entire movie when i clicked on it, but it felt so viscerally real all the way through that I couldn't not observe the events unfolding. This shit is absolutely nuts, and i don't think much media touches the pulse quite like yours does

I saw the smiling friends trailer and instantly recognized that face. Can't wait to see it 😊

That was amazing. All one shot. I don't know how you do it, or how Dax plays "painfully awkward" so well. Well done, all of you!

SMILING FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!

Him following her around the pool is too funny lol

JOEL HAVER IN SMILING FRIENDS WOO HOO!!!!!

YOOOOOO DUUUDE! I JUST SAW SMILING FRIENDS SEASON 2 TRAILER WTFFFFFF?? LESS GOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The atmosphere of this is spot on! I loved the complete shift towards the end, and I'm dying to see the final presentation for Ted and Kylie now

Congrats on being in Smiling Friends season 2!

Can't believe you're regularly working with the camera kid from "Project X"
Big leagues! Insaneo style!!!🎉

Honestly, a monkey's paw relationship prediction app that balances out true happiness with motorcycle crashes would be the greatest thing.

I feel like I have tasted perfectly grilled grilled cheese as the flaws each character has are so pronounced that I expected all of them to have some kind of flaw but instead they are all so human and so defined and unique I thought anything could happen and flaws don't define the characters and oh my goodness I loved Jacob's character, everything he did felt so viscerally impactful and purposeful and just wow I think my whole viewpoint was suspended further every time Jacob talked or was just in frame, I can relate heavily to carrying around the sword he received on his birthday, and with him reciting it's origin just goodness, I might have cried if Jacob dropped the sword.
I had an ache in my chest worrying for Ted's relationship and it persisted even after the end when I wanted so badly to continue watching what their next reaction would be to what happens next like I was frozen, and even now the ache is still thawing waiting for what Ted will do next.
Will fit right in as the guy that acts as a kind of mediator and holds the group together well, cleaning up messes and being cheerful, I relied on Will to hopefully carry the story to a happy end.
I liked Dominick's role and his motivation behind the app being told, since I also want to strive to make more money, and perhaps just like me Dominick wants the assurance that having more money will give so that he can keep hanging out with his buddies.
The last character was so out of the blue but so vivid and colorful I felt they could navigate anything with confidence and it was truly a blessing to see how they handled the situation where I who was just like the first four characters was stumped in muted horror by the situation the last character truly showed a prominent role and gave me an ending I couldn't stop waiting for.
Truly a masterpiece of a film and I don't need any credentials to say it, I loved this video to the core.

I had no intention of watching all of this when I started, just clicked it to check it out. Now it's 48 minutes later and I'm waiting for the sequel.

That's a hell of a way to cut down on editing. What a fucking insane move to pull in only a 3 hour window. Fabulous work from everybody. Holy shit.

This is absolutely insane for a one-shot. Expert acting, this genuinely feels candid.

Dude your gonna be in Smiling Friends???????? That's so freakin radddddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even imagine how much rehearsal and blocking this would have taken to do right. Seriously good job dude!

driving a question car into answer city expecting i'm the mayor

It was amazing, and no cuts in the whole movie. Joel did you put in any trick cut like in Birdman or its just one long take like Russian Ark? And I believe putting drunk text on a white board is an effective way to discuss it and men should do it more often. Im really want to know how it continue.

Good use of Chekhov's Sword; "If a giant sword is shown in a story, the giant sword should be shown multiple times later in the story."

Congrats on getting in Smiling Friends!

Such a flex. You’re a wizard Joel. Too good for KRplus standards! I’m so jealous of the massive arsenal of great talent you have to help out with all your productions.

This is so good that I forgot I came here from the Smiling Friends trailer until returning to the comments after accidentally having watched the whole thing. I'm feeling quite the emotional whiplash I'll tell ya that much. Hoo

all these new comments lol
you know exactly why you’re here

joel i'm so excited to see you in smiling friends! it's gonna be huge!!

"What are you wearing? Just kidding. Oh, I love that shirt!" had me dying! Trent is the best!

Move over, 1917. We've got a new one-shot classic.

3/3
bangers joel. I love you. you give me so much light. you inspire me so much. thank you

AMAZING

Man the way you set everything up is just golden. It’s continuously intriguing, having me wondering about the answers to the questions the film poses. Also I couldn’t help but imagining some of the footwork you had to pull off while working that camera. Keep on keepin’ on, man!

Came here to day congrats on being in smiling friends! I recognized your work right away from the trailer!

Blown away yet again. I am so curious how this was all made in one shot. I started tearing up at Trent's 34:50 scene just from how pure it was. The stakes kept getting raised, all the characters were unique and endearingly flawed, the scenes and dialogue were meaningful, and it all felt simultaneously improv and rehearsed to perfection. Good job Joel and thank you for making this

What chance find. I've never seen anything like this. I didn't know a film's story could be so palpably awkward but resolve completely peacefully like this. There's so much to love here, oh my goodness, I'm going to list a few things:
-Jacob talking about needing to give up his LOTR sword, but clinging to it over and over. His insecurity at getting older smolderingly spilling out when Ted and Kylie make him the dad while they have their fun
-The portrayal of the utter TORTURE of a friend trying to tell you about his "good" idea but you can't tell him you're not feeling it, not to mention how despite just how painfully bad Dominic pitched the app to his friends, it comes around at the end and the audience WANTS to see what it says. That's utter perfection man.
-The closing in on Dominic's face as he messes with Ted in front of Kylie, that's great and you already know that's great, but what I loved here is the panning back to Will, and he's pacing around, hand on his neck because of how awkward he feels knowing that Dominic is surreptitiously fucking with Ted. That comment that talked about poor blocking is total bollocks man, you guys nailed this shit front to back.
-I've already mentioned it, but Kylie dissolving aaaaaaaaalll the tension was a brilliant decision. You could have made it so she was upset, you could have made the situation even more awkward, you could have even given a dramatic spin where Ted and Dominic have a falling out after Kylie left, but no. The tension deflates, everyone is on the couch, the mood is up; it's such a rewarding sequence for the audience.
-"Silly man", nuff said.
There's so much to praise but I'd just be restating what happened in the damn film ad nauseum. I'll definitely be making time to view your other works. Front to fucking back, this was as pitch perfect as the idea and ambition to shoot it all at once could possibly get. Everybody involved should be proud.

I saw your video at the turn of the New Year and of course KRplus hasn’t put any of your full length films in my feed, but I’m gonna go back and watch the last two and tune in for every film after this because this is without a doubt some of the best content I have ever seen on this site. I hope you know that while you may not be reaching as many people, the impact you’re making is larger than ever. Brilliant work Joel

just saw you in smiling friends

I really enjoyed how the soundtrack was essentially live piano and how the volume changed naturally based on the room.

It’s like Joel is pulling off something genius and once in a lifetime every month

The fact they were able to do an entire 48 minute film in a oner is extremely impressive

Dax has such casual hilarious delivery.. Trent does too.. everyone here is so talented, fantastic job

To second everyone else, the fact that we can just focus on the solidly joel haver beautiful awkward humor and nothing else in a single take film proves how well you nailed the acting, timing, blocking, use of lighting, and mic hiding!

I'm very excited to see you on Smiling Friends

MY BOY CAMEOS IN SMILING FRIENDS S2

This is the fourth of your movies I've watched. Definitely the only KRplus channel I'd actually sit down and watch a 40+ minute video from (not counting some video essays on lore that I put on in the background and barely half watch).
Viscerally uncomfortable at times, in a way that I'm not entirely sure I liked... But I appreciated it? Definitely engrossing. Had multiple laugh out loud moments that really cut the tension and kept the awkwardness from being overwhelming. A great sense of build and release. It's probably not something I'd suggest for a general audience, but honestly that's a selling point for me. I like that it doesn't feel like anything else I could watch.

This was an incredible piece of art. The continuous shot, the inability of any of the men to discuss their feelings, the build up to the ending, there are so many great things that I could say about this. Nice work

Imma just freestyle extrapolate for a minute. They are all dealing with shame. So they approach every interaction with detachment and irony, instead of just being real with eachother. Jacob is aware of this but doesn’t know exactly where the problem is, but he wants a more honest and open connection with his friends. The text itself was drennnnched in shame and self pity to the point of the intentions of the text being clear while the words state otherwise. It ended up pushing that person even farther away. Probably more than if he just said “I miss you. Take me back pls” The boys were on the brink of breaking up because of what they disliked in themselves. When kylie came in she forced them to unpack the truths and made them realize its better just drop the act sometimes instead of building this house of cards irony and guilt. You cant maintain relationships living like that. Trent is a sweet boy he is vibin regardless, and that’s cus he likes himself and thinks about other people instead of his own problems. Idk im not good at articulating things like this, but i guess hey Joel, Dax and friends this resonated with me in my own way and I really like this movie. Thanks for this!!

He has has always reminded me of Ed Norton. Great job, Joel!

Man, everyone here did brilliantly!! Remembering all the lines/beats AND improvising between them in one (almost) HOUR LONG continuous take is no small feat!
And Trent really shone here imo, his naturalness when riffing and interacting is always a treat on screen.
This is the first of your films this year I've watched Joel, and I'm pumped to catch up on the rest! ❤✨