Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells in I Don't Understand You.
Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells, beloved by audiences for their comedic charisma, bring their dynamic chemistry to the forefront in I Don’t Understand You, debuting in theaters on June 6. Tommy McArdle of PEOPLE gives us an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of this uproarious dark comedy.
The film sees Kroll and Rannells as Dom and Cole, a married duo embarking on what should have been a romantic getaway to Italy. Celebrating an anniversary and eager to adopt a child, their dream vacation spirals into a comedic yet bloody chaos when they find themselves lost in a remote area, unable to communicate in Italian and facing dubious locals. Rannells recounts, “I really did rely on Nick, and I leaned on Nick. He was very generous, and we really took turns taking care of each other.”
Known for their comedic synergy in Big Mouth, 46-year-olds Kroll and Rannells have taken their knack for humor to a whole new level with I Don’t Understand You. This time around, their characters must navigate potentially dangerous scenarios with nothing but their wits and a dose of humor. “The first things we shot were all of the fun touristy things that we got to do, like eating gelato and walking down the streets to Rome and seeing the Spanish steps,” Rannells shares about the production before plunging into more daunting night shoots that tested their camaraderie.
“Obviously it’s very helpful that we were friends walking into it,” Rannells remarks. Meanwhile, Kroll lightheartedly adds, “We didn’t kill anyone!” as the story builds tension with its darkly comedic edge.
Inspired by the real-life experiences of its creators, Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig—who found themselves stranded in Italy on their anniversary the movie draws its authenticity from the personal bonds between its stars. Craig expresses, “They love each other in real life and they really get each other,” and underscores their history of performing together as perfect preparation for these roles.
An evocative clip from the film, exclusive to PEOPLE, captures their palpable onscreen chemistry, a testament to the actors’ real-life friendship that dates back to Rannells’ celebrated role in The Book of Mormon and Kroll’s collaboration with comedy partner John Mulaney.
For Kroll, who balances his career alongside family life with wife Lily Kwong and their two children, the opportunity to work more closely with Rannells was irresistible. “It expands our comedic universe in such a unique way, especially coming out just as Pride Month kicks off and with Father’s Day around the corner,” he notes.
Co-director Crano remarks on the significance of the film’s portrayal of gay characters: “To have a film in theaters with gay characters in it is so unusual, and then to have them not be tragic characters or victims is also a real unusual thing. It just feels like a huge win.” With this release, audiences can expect a refreshing and comedic take on love, identity, and the unpredictability of life, all set against the picturesque yet perilous backdrop of Italy. I Don’t Understand You hits theaters on June 6.
