Raucous, ridiculous and totally original, Joy Ride is already being hailed as the must-see film of the summer.

Directed by Adele Lim, who wrote the screenplay for Crazy Rich Asians, this R-rated coming-of-age story has already received rave reviews on the film festival circuit, with critics praising its outrageous humour, star-studded cast featuring Hollywood’s most promising young Asian stars, and its fresh take on Asian culture and diaspora.

Set to release on July 7, it’s written by Awkwafina is Nora From Queens writer Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and co-creator Teresa Hsiao, with a story by Lim. The film is produced by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Josh Fagen.

The film tells the story of two Asian-American women and best friends, Audrey and Lolo. Adopted and raised by white parents in the US, Audrey sets off on a quest to find her birth mother in China, with Lolo and two other friends along for support. Expect cameos from Asian actors like Ronny Chieng and Lori Tan Chinn.

A cross between The Hangover, Bridesmaids and Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride is as unique as it is touching and poignant – sure to be one of the most talked-about films of the year. It currently holds an impressive 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

So what else do we know about this highly anticipated movie … and the all-Asian cast behind it?

Ashley Park

If you’re a fan of Netflix series Emily in Paris, then you’ll recognise Ashley Park. The Korean-American actress and singer was an instant fan favourite in the series as Mindy Chen, a charming nanny and aspiring singer. Before Park made her television debut, she was one of Broadway’s brightest young stars, earning Grammy and Tony nominations for her performances in top musicals like The King & I and Mean Girls, respectively, per Vogue Arabia.

The 31-year-old takes the lead in Joy Ride portraying Audrey, a Chinese-American woman who embarks on a journey to China in search of her biological mother and a deeper connection to her cultural heritage.

Stephanie Hsu

We already know that Stephanie Hsu, 32, is one of the hottest stars in Hollywood right now, with blockbusters like Everything Everywhere All at Once – for which she snagged an Oscar nomination – and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings under her belt. And in a case of art imitating life, Hsu’s next role sees her playing Kat, Audrey’s charismatic university pal who catapults to fame as a Chinese soap opera star.

Sherry Cola

Born in Shanghai and raised in the US, Sherry Cola started her entertainment career working for legendary television host and radio personality Carson Daly. Since then, she’s gone on to work with A-list celebrities like Kevin Bacon and Kathryn Hahn in Amazon’s I Love Dick, and starred as Alice Kwan in the Jennifer Lopez-produced series Good Trouble.

The 33-year-old is also an accomplished comedian, known for her fresh perspective on Asian-American identity and her ability to tackle tough subjects with wit and humour.

Cola stars opposite Park, playing Audrey’s best friend, Lolo.

Sabrina Wu

Completing this stellar comedic cast is Sabrina Wu, a talented nonbinary actor and comedian who delivers a stand-out performance as Deadeye, Lolo’s eccentric and K-pop-obsessed cousin.

Before making a name for themselves on the big screen, Wu honed their craft as a stand-up comedian while studying at Harvard. Since then, they have made a successful transition to screenwriting, working on shows such as the Disney+ series Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.

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