Summer’s over but there’s still time for one last getaway.
In Spa Weekend, we’re introduced to Jane (Leslie Mann), an over-worked lawyer and single mom who finds that she simply doesn’t have time for anything but her family demands. But her world is upended when her best friends Coco (Michelle Buteau) and Sophie (Anna Faris) suggest that they take a weekend to themselves for a quick recharge.
The only question is what to do about Mel (Isla Fisher), their wildest friend who always pushes them into the craziest situations. Deciding to leave her out, the three head out for a relaxing time together. However, after Mel meets them at the hotel, the four women find their luxury escape devolve into an escape into madness, forcing them to face-off with their deepest struggles (and each other).
Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, Spa Weekend is an easy-going experience, even if it doesn’t always feel like it’s worth the trip. In Weekend, Lucas and Moore attempt to tap into the energy of films like Bridesmaids and (their own) Bad Moms with mixed results. The film’s brash humour may be wild but it doesn’t always land. Though, having said this, when this Spa Weekend works, there’s a sweetness to it that makes it enjoyable and meaningful.
Easily the biggest plus towards the film comes from their delightful casting. When together, these four women understand their roles and play off one another with delicious energy. As the lead, Mann brings an earnestness to her performance as Jane to offset Faris’ lighthearted foolishness. And Fisher? She’s… everywhere. As Mel, she allows herself to become unhinged as their beloved ‘hot mess’.
However, the one who shines most brightly might be Buteau. As the ever-frustrated Coco, Buteau never fully slides into any particular stereotype. While she has some deeply-rooted issues, she’s also one of this Weekend’s most balanced characters, offering substance and emotion to each scene.
As a group, they bring delightful energy that stems out of meaningful relationship. There’s a trust between them that allows the viewer to feel like they’re invited into the room with the four women as one of their own.
Yet Spa Weekend is also a film that celebrates the individual, reminding the viewer that self-care matters. For each of these women, their retreat to pampering becomes an opportunity for healing. For some of them, it’s simply a chance to remind themselves who they are. But, for others, their experience points out aspects of their lives which need deeper healing than a simple massage or oil bath. With Fisher’s Mel serving as the explosive comedic force, each of these women is given the chance to learn something about themselves and, if needed, return home with a new determination to work on their souls.
Having said this, if there’s a flaw to this Weekend, it lies with its writers. Though Lucas and Moore have experience in the women’s world with the Bad Moms franchise, this Spa struggles to break free from stereotypes that could be considered troublesome. While their friendships remain at the centre, there’s a sense that these characters simply need to fix their relationship status in order to be truly happy. Admittedly, this isn’t entirely the case. But, at times, it does seem like Lucas and Moore may not offer the most enlightened perspective on the female experience. (I also recognize my own blind spots in this area but, still, there seems to be something… missing in the representation of these characters.)
In the end, there is a lot to enjoy about this Spa Weekend. Featuring delightful performances and heartwarming moments, there’s joy to be found in this not-so-quiet getaway. However, there’s still a sense that this spiritual retreat doesn’t always find enlightenment, leaving the experience slightly less fulfilling than one might hope.
Spa Weekend is available in theatres on Friday, August 21st, 2026.
