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Quiz Lady
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| Quiz Lady | |
|---|---|
Release poster | |
| Directed by | Jessica Yu |
| Written by | Jen D'Angelo |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Adrian Peng Correia |
| Edited by | |
| Music by | Nick Urata |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Studios Hulu |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 99 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $23.8 million[2] |
Quiz Lady is a 2023 American comedy film directed by Jessica Yu and written by Jen D'Angelo. The film stars Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Jason Schwartzman, Holland Taylor, Tony Hale, Jon "Dumbfoundead" Park, and Will Ferrell. Ferrell, Awkwafina, and Oh also served as the film's producers, along with Jessica Elbaum, Maggie Haskins, Itay Reiss, and D'Angelo.
Quiz Lady premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023, and was released by 20th Century Studios via Hulu in the United States on November 3, 2023, to positive reviews. It earned the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.
Plot
[edit]As a child growing up in Greater Pittsburgh,[3] Anne Yum finds comfort in the TV game show Can't Stop the Quiz to escape her stressful family; her father leaves them, her mother is a gambling addict, and her older sister Jenny abandons Anne and their dog, Mr. Linguini, to pursue dreams of fame. Years later, a tightly wound Anne lives alone with Mr. Linguini and feels invisible at work but still watches Can't Stop the Quiz every night.
Learning that her mother has escaped her nursing home and fled to Macau, Anne reunites with the reckless, chaotic Jenny. Unemployed and living in her car, Jenny comes to stay with Anne and claims to have won a lucrative lawsuit against a restaurant chain after choking on a fish bone. While watching Can't Stop the Quiz, Jenny secretly records Anne answering every question at remarkable speed, and the video goes viral, much to Anne's horror. She is tracked down by Ken, a loan shark who has kidnapped Mr. Linguini and demands that Anne pay off her mother's $80,000 debt.
Jenny encourages Anne — whose video gained the attention of the Can't Stop the Quiz casting directors — to go on the show and win enough money to get Mr. Linguini back. Anne refuses, but Jenny kidnaps her and drives her to Philadelphia to audition for the show, admitting on the way that she lied about winning the lawsuit. Jenny dislocates her wrist at a bar. Waiting at the hospital, they reminisce about the childhood summer they spent with their cousins in Burbank, who didn't like them and never invited them back. Anne reveals that she felt too uncomfortable and unwelcome to use the cousins' bathroom, leading her to defecate in a hole in the backyard.
At the audition, Jenny calms a nervous Anne with drugs that are soon revealed to be hallucinogens. After taking a different drug to counteract the others, Anne does well, impressing the crowd and the producers. Jenny reveals that she lied about lying about the lawsuit, and really does have a large settlement coming; this was all part of her plan to become a self-described life coach, knowing Anne would not have tried out for the show otherwise. An angry Anne lashes out at Jenny, who reveals that their cousins discovered the hole in the backyard, but Jenny willingly took the blame.
Anne returns home and bonds with her cantankerous neighbor Francine, who urges her not to worry about getting people to like her. Invited to compete on Can't Stop the Quiz, Anne finally stands up to her obnoxious coworkers and decides to go on the show with Francine as her partner. Meanwhile, Jenny tries to negotiate with Ken, discovering that he and his gang are running a struggling animal shelter, and she steals Mr. Linguini back.
Traveling to Los Angeles with Francine to film the show, Anne meets her idol, host Terry McTeer, and maintains her disdain for Ron, the show's obsequious long-running champion. Anne is too used to answering questions at home with her dog at her side and finishes the first round in a distant second place to Ron. Jenny arrives with Mr. Linguini, and the sisters reconcile as she convinces Anne to finish the game. She also forces the producers to let Mr. Linguini join Anne, who catches up to Ron in the second round.
During a commercial break, an anxious Anne is comforted by Terry. When the third round is chosen to be a game of charades, Anne switches partners to play with Jenny instead, and they share a heartfelt moment on the winning word, as Anne admits that Jenny is her hero. Anne wins, while Ron has an on-camera meltdown until he is told off by Terry. The sisters arrange for Francine to meet Paul Reubens, her celebrity crush, whom she thinks is Alan Cumming.
Anne goes on to win a record-breaking 93 consecutive games and is hired as a writer on the show. Jenny receives her obscenely large check from the lawsuit, paying off their mother's debt and buying a Malibu mansion where Anne, Jenny, and Mr. Linguini live together.
Cast
[edit]- Awkwafina as Anne Yum, Jenny's younger sister who likes the TV game show Can't Stop the Quiz
- Sandra Oh as Jennifer "Jenny" Yum, Anne's older sister who leaves her to pursue her dreams of fame
- Will Ferrell as Terry McTeer, the host of Can't Stop the Quiz
- Holland Taylor as Francine, Anne's neighbour
- Jason Schwartzman as Ron Heacock
- Tawny Newsome as Mercedes
- Paul Reubens[4] as Francine's crush
- Jon "Dumbfoundead" Park as Ken
- Camrus Johnson as Trav
- Angela Trimbur as Marge
- Tony Hale as Ben Franklin
- Matt Cordova as Bart
- Alan Heitz as Glenn
- Amy Tolsky as Leah
- Joe Chrest as Mr. Walters
- Crosby Cookie as "Mr. Linguini"
- Phil LaMarr as The Brain
- Luke Kim as Cousin Jin
Production
[edit]In October 2020, it was announced that an untitled comedy film was in development at Netflix, with Jen D'Angelo writing the screenplay, and Sandra Oh and Awkwafina starring.[5] In December 2021, Netflix reportedly left the film, and the rights were acquired by 20th Century Studios. Jessica Yu was also set to direct.[6] Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum were to produce the film under their Gloria Sanchez Productions banner with Artists First; Alex Brown served as an executive producer. Sarah Shepard oversaw the film for 20th Century.
Principal photography began on June 7, 2022, and was expected to last until July 22 of that year, with filming taking place in Los Angeles and New Orleans.[7] By the beginning of production, Holland Taylor, Jason Schwartzman, Tony Hale, and Ferrell were revealed to star in the film.[8] On September 9, 2023, it was revealed that actor Paul Reubens (who died on July 30, 2023) would posthumously appear as himself in a cameo.[4]
Music
[edit]Release
[edit]In June 2022, the film was reported to be scheduled for release by 20th Century Studios as a Hulu original film in the United States, It premiered on Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in other territories the same day.[8][9] In July 2023, the film's title was revealed to be Quiz Lady, with a release date of November 3, 2023.[10] The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023.[11][1]
Reception
[edit]Audience viewership
[edit]According to Whip Media's viewership tracking app TV Time, which tracks viewership data for the more than 25 million worldwide users of its app, Quiz Lady was the fourth-most streamed movie in the U.S. during the week of November 3,[12] and the fifth during the week of November 13, 2023.[13]
Critical response
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 92 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "Quiz Lady's perfectly matched leads help Jessica Yu's occasionally uneven comedy overcome its periodic wobbles and land on the right side of hilarious and heartfelt."[14] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 59 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[15]
Accolades
[edit]The film received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie, marking Oh's 14th Emmy nomination and her first win.[16]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024
|
Astra TV Awards | Best TV Movie | Quiz Lady | Nominated | [17] |
| Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Awkwafina | Nominated | |||
| Sandra Oh | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Jason Schwartzman | Nominated | |||
| Best Directing in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Jessica Yu | Nominated | |||
| Best Writing in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Jen D'Angelo | Nominated | |||
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Movie Made for Television | Quiz Lady | Won | [18][19] | |
| NAMIC Vision Awards | Original Movie or Special | Nominated | [20] | ||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Television Movie | Alex Brown, Erika Hampson, Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum, Maggie Haskins, Itay Reiss, Jen D'Angelo, Awkwafina, and Sandra Oh |
Won | [21] | |
| Producers Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Producer of Streamed or Televised Motion Pictures | Quiz Lady | Nominated | [22] | |
| The ReFrame Stamp | Feature | Won | [23] | ||
| Writers Guild of America Awards | TV & New Media Motion Pictures | Jen D'Angelo | Won | [24] | |
2025
|
Artios Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Film, First Released for Television or Streaming | Nicole Abellera Hallman, Jeanne McCarthy, Erica Johnson, Ryan Glorioso, Justin Coulter | Nominated | [25] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Quiz Lady". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- ^ "Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search" (Type "Untitled Sisters Project" in the search box). Louisiana Economic Development. June 8, 2022. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- ^ Roman, Julian (October 31, 2023). "Jessica Yu Directs Comedy Greats in Quiz Lady". MovieWeb. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ a b Yamato, Jen (September 10, 2023). "Paul Reubens makes final film appearance in Awkwafina, Sandra Oh comedy 'Quiz Lady'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (October 29, 2020). "Sandra Oh, Awkwafina Team For Netflix Sister Comedy Movie; Jessica Elbaum & Will Ferrell Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (December 15, 2021). "20th Century Lands Untitled Comedy Starring Awkwafina And Sandra Oh". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
- ^ Darwish, Meaghan (June 7, 2022). "Sandra Oh & Awkwafina Hulu Original Sister Comedy Begins Production". TV Insider. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ a b Remley, Hilary (June 7, 2022). "Awkwafina and Sandra Oh's Estranged Sisters Movie Begins Production". Collider. Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Gelman, Vlada (June 7, 2022). "TVLine Items: Girls Vet Joins Bomer Series, Tony Awards Talent and More". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ Wang, Jessica (July 13, 2023). "Awkwafina, Sandra Oh are estranged sisters in 'Quiz Lady' first look". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 10, 2023). "Jenna Ortega's Finestkind, Dakota Johnson's Daddio Added to Toronto Film Fest Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Prange, Stephanie (November 7, 2023). "'Five Nights at Freddy's,' 'Loki' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts". Media Play News. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Prange, Stephanie (November 14, 2023). "'The Killer,' 'Loki' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts". Media Play News. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Quiz Lady". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ "Quiz Lady". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (September 8, 2024). "Sandra Oh Just Won Her First Emmy For Quiz Lady". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ "The 2024 Astra TV Awards Nominations Have Arrived". Hollywood Creative Alliance. July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ Brathwaite, Lester Fabian (January 14, 2024). "'Oppenheimer,' 'Barbie,' 'The Bear' lead 2024 Critics Choice Awards winners". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (January 14, 2024). "'Oppenheimer' Leads Critics Choice Awards With 8 Wins, 'Barbie' Scores 6 — Full Winners List". Variety. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "NAMIC Announces Nominees for the 2024 Vision Awards". National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Quiz Lady". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (January 12, 2024). "'Oppenheimer', 'The Crown' Among 2024 Producers Guild Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "ReFrame and IMDbPro Award the ReFrame Stamp to 29 Feature Films Released in 2023". Business Wire. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (April 14, 2024). "'Succession,' 'The Bear,' 'American Fiction' and 'The Holdovers' Top WGA Awards (Full Winners List)". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (November 1, 2024). "Artios Awards Nominees Revealed: Netflix Leads With 17 Nominations, HBO/Max With 6". Deadline. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
External links
[edit]Quiz Lady
View on GrokipediaSynopsis and Cast
Plot
Quiz Lady follows Anne, a meticulous and socially isolated accountant in her thirties whose life revolves around her obsession with the fictional game show Can't Stop the Quiz, which she has watched religiously since childhood as a form of escapism from her troubled family history. Growing up in a dysfunctional household marked by her parents' divorce, her father's early death, and her mother's chronic gambling addiction, Anne has built a rigid routine centered on her job and her beloved pug, Mr. Linguini, to avoid the chaos of her past. Her estranged older sister, Jenny, a nomadic and impulsive former aspiring actress who left home years ago to escape their mother's neglect, reenters her life abruptly when their mother, Crystal, abandons her nursing home and flees to Macau with a boyfriend, leaving behind an $80,000 gambling debt to local bookies. This debt, accrued through Crystal's compulsive betting, underscores the film's exploration of addiction's devastating impact on family bonds, forcing the sisters to confront their shared history of abandonment and resentment.[4][7] The crisis escalates when Jenny, in a misguided attempt to help, films Anne flawlessly answering Can't Stop the Quiz questions at home and posts it online, where it goes viral and catches the attention of the bookie, Ken, who responds by kidnapping Mr. Linguini as leverage to collect the debt. Motivated by desperation to save her dog—the one stable element in her life—Anne agrees to Jenny's impulsive plan: enter the game show in Philadelphia, win the grand prize of $80,000, and pay off the debt. This sets off a comedic road trip from Washington, D.C., to the audition site, during which the sisters' clashing personalities—Anne's need for control versus Jenny's chaotic spontaneity—lead to tense arguments revealing deep-seated motivations. Flashbacks illustrate their childhood dynamics, including Jenny's secret sacrifice of shielding Anne from embarrassment during a humiliating family incident, highlighting themes of unspoken sisterly love amid dysfunction. Along the way, they encounter quirky characters, such as the eccentric proprietor of a Ben Franklin-themed inn who insists on staying in character, adding levity and forcing Anne to step outside her comfort zone. Through these misadventures, Jenny begins to reveal her own vulnerabilities, transitioning from a self-destructive wanderer seeking redemption to a protective sibling, while Anne starts to embrace unpredictability, fostering their gradual reconciliation.[8][4][7] Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Anne auditions successfully despite anxiety-fueled mishaps, like accidentally getting high on Jenny's medication, and advances to the main competition against the smug reigning champion, Ron, known for his long winning streak. The game show itself serves as a metaphor for escapism, with its high-stakes trivia rounds testing not just knowledge but emotional resilience; Anne excels in the factual questions drawn from her encyclopedic memory but struggles with the interactive charades segment, symbolizing her difficulty with interpersonal chaos. Jenny, barred from the studio initially, sneaks in after rescuing Mr. Linguini from the bookies in a daring confrontation, and replaces Anne's original partner to assist in the charades, using their rekindled bond to intuitively decode clues. In the climactic final round, facing elimination questions tied to personal family trivia, Anne draws strength from memories of her sister and mother, ultimately defeating Ron and securing the championship with a record streak. The victory provides financial closure by repaying the debt and retrieving Mr. Linguini, but more profoundly, it catalyzes emotional redemption: Jenny apologizes for past absences, Anne forgives her, and they achieve a healed sisterhood, transforming their legacy of dysfunction into one of mutual support. Post-win, Anne pursues a career writing for the show, while Jenny channels her energy into stability, illustrating the film's theme that game shows, like family ties, offer paths to confronting and overcoming personal demons.[8][4][7]Cast
The film stars Awkwafina as Anne Yum, the uptight, quiz-obsessed protagonist who works a mundane CPA job and harbors a deep passion for the game show Can't Stop the Quiz.[9] Sandra Oh portrays Jenny Yum, Anne's estranged older sister, depicted as a chaotic, free-spirited and eccentric figure whose energetic personality contrasts sharply with Anne's rigidity.[10] Supporting roles include Will Ferrell as Terry McTeer, the affable host of Can't Stop the Quiz, bringing a charismatic presence to the game show environment.[11] Jason Schwartzman plays Ron Heacock, a self-involved contestant with a long winning streak who serves as Anne's rival on the show.[10] Holland Taylor appears as Francine, Anne's grumpy and intrusive neighbor who adds layers of comedic tension through her interactions.[11] Additional ensemble members feature Tony Hale as Ben Franklin, the quirky receptionist at a Benjamin Franklin-themed hotel, contributing oddball humor to key scenes.[11] Jon "Dumbfoundead" Park portrays Ken, a gangster character who injects streetwise comedy into the narrative.[10] The diverse cast, blending Asian American leads with a mix of comedic talents, enhances the film's humorous exploration of family bonds and sibling reconciliation.[12]Production
Development
In October 2020, Netflix acquired Jen D'Angelo's original screenplay for an untitled comedy project, with Awkwafina and Sandra Oh attached to star as estranged sisters competing on a game show to resolve family debts.[13] By December 2021, Netflix had exited the project following the expiration of its licensing agreement, prompting 20th Century Studios to acquire the rights and retitle the film Quiz Lady for distribution on Hulu.[13] Awkwafina remained attached as the lead actress and a producer, while Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jessica Yu was hired to direct, marking her narrative feature directorial debut in the comedy genre after a career in documentaries and television.[13][14] The production carried a budget of $23.8 million.[15] D'Angelo drew from her personal family experiences to craft the script, infusing it with themes of Asian-American sibling dynamics, parental pressures, and the absurdity of game show culture as a metaphor for high-stakes reconciliation.[16][17] During pre-production, Yu, D'Angelo, Awkwafina, and Oh collaborated on revisions in London to deepen the cultural specificity and emotional authenticity of the family portrayal.[18]Principal photography
Principal photography for Quiz Lady commenced on June 7, 2022, and wrapped on July 22, 2022, encompassing roughly six weeks of shooting.[3] The production filmed primarily in Los Angeles, California, to capture urban environments and interior sequences, including the construction of the game's show set, while New Orleans, Louisiana, served as the key location for the road trip portions, lending a distinctive Southern vibe to those scenes.[19][20] The script's road trip narrative directly shaped the selection of New Orleans for its exterior authenticity. A purpose-built studio in Los Angeles housed the set for the fictional game show Can't Stop the Quiz, designed by production designer Jeff Mann with influences from The Price Is Right to create a zany, vibrant aesthetic evoking an Oz-like wonderland through bold colors and dynamic lighting.[21] Practical effects were integral to the quiz show scenes, merging Jeopardy!-style trivia questions with improvisational charades elements that encouraged on-set spontaneity from the cast.[21] Filming navigated logistical hurdles inherent to multi-location shoots, including coordinating exterior work in New Orleans amid variable weather, while maintaining precise comedic timing across both controlled studio environments and on-location exteriors.[20] Following editing, the film achieved a final runtime of 99 minutes.[5]Music
Original score
The original score for Quiz Lady was composed by Nick Urata, who previously scored Little Miss Sunshine (2006).[22] Urata's score for Quiz Lady adopts an upbeat and energetic style, featuring an eclectic fusion of orchestral swells, percussive rhythms—including South American and orchestral percussion for character-specific themes—and game show-inspired motifs that punctuate the film's blend of humor and tension.[23][24] Notable tracks include "Can't Stop the Quiz," which drives the high-energy quiz show sequences with its pulsating, motif-heavy structure; "Jenny's Theme," providing emotional depth through intimate orchestral lines for moments of vulnerability and bonding; and shorter comedic stings like "All the Answers" that deliver sharp, playful accents to absurd situations.[25] Composed and orchestrated in 2023 following principal photography, the score integrates diegetic elements from the fictional game show "Can't Stop the Quiz," blending them seamlessly with non-diegetic music to heighten the narrative's sense of escapism through trivia.[26]Soundtrack album
The soundtrack album for Quiz Lady, titled Quiz Lady (Original Soundtrack), features the film's original score composed by Nick Urata and was released digitally by Hollywood Records on November 3, 2023, coinciding with the movie's premiere on Hulu.[26] The 23-track album runs approximately 35 minutes and is available for streaming and download on major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, with an emphasis on digital distribution to reach fans of comedic films.[27][25]Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Can't Stop the Quiz | 0:44 |
| 2 | Jenny's Theme | 1:43 |
| 3 | All the Answers | 1:04 |
| 4 | Jenny's Ideas | 1:10 |
| 5 | The Quiz Lady Is Born | 2:44 |
| 6 | Who's Called Ken Anymore? | 2:48 |
| 7 | You Are Not Marybeth | 1:13 |
| 8 | Poop Story | 1:43 |
| 9 | It's Just an Audition | 0:44 |
| 10 | Because I Want Some | 0:51 |
| 11 | Anne's First Audition | 1:13 |
| 12 | You Crushed It | 1:15 |
| 13 | Ken's Den | 1:52 |
| 14 | The Show Must Go On | 0:41 |
| 15 | Ron and Terry | 0:57 |
| 16 | Gametime | 2:18 |
| 17 | Mr. Linguini | 1:59 |
| 18 | Wisdom from Terry | 2:12 |
| 19 | The Final Showdown | 2:39 |
| 20 | Hero | 0:58 |
| 21 | Not Alan Cummings | 1:27 |
| 22 | Sisters | 0:58 |
| 23 | We Got It – Meilee | 1:42 |
Release
Premiere
Quiz Lady had its world premiere on September 9, 2023, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the Special Presentations program.[28] Director Jessica Yu attended the screening, where she read a message from star Sandra Oh, who was unable to appear due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike; co-star Awkwafina was also absent for the same reason.[29] The event featured a red carpet with limited celebrity presence amid the labor action, but it generated early promotional buzz for the film's comedic take on family dynamics.[30] The festival screening received positive initial reception, with critics praising the humor and the lead performances by Awkwafina and Sandra Oh as estranged sisters navigating a game show scheme.[31] Reviews highlighted the film's delightful comedy and heartfelt moments, noting the strong chemistry between the duo and the satirical elements of its game show parody.[32] This buzz positioned Quiz Lady as a crowd-pleasing entry in TIFF's lineup, emphasizing its blend of laughs and emotional depth.[33] Promotional activities around the premiere included interviews with director Jessica Yu, who discussed the film's themes of Asian-American sisterhood and the script's appeal.[34] Hulu released first-look images in July 2023 and an official trailer on September 7, just before the debut, spotlighting the sister duo's antics and the game's high-stakes parody.[35][36] These efforts built anticipation for the comedy's streaming release later that year.Distribution and home media
Quiz Lady was released as a Hulu original film on November 3, 2023, distributed by 20th Century Studios.[2] The streaming debut emphasized the film's direct-to-platform strategy, bypassing a wide theatrical rollout in favor of immediate accessibility to Hulu subscribers.[1] Internationally, the film became available on Disney+ in select markets and on Star+ in Latin America beginning in late 2023.[37] This rollout expanded its reach through Disney's global streaming ecosystem shortly after the U.S. premiere. Marketing efforts centered on social media promotions that leaned into the film's game show theme, including interactive Instagram Stories featuring trivia parodies of the in-story program Can't Stop the Quiz.[38] Additional campaigns on TikTok and Twitter incorporated cast memes, countdown graphics, and trend-based content to build anticipation for the streaming launch.[38] The Toronto International Film Festival screening earlier that year helped generate initial buzz leading into the Hulu release. For home media, Quiz Lady is available for digital rental and purchase on video-on-demand platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, allowing viewers to access the film outside of subscription streaming services.[39]Reception
Viewership
Upon its release on Hulu on November 3, 2023, Quiz Lady quickly garnered significant audience attention in the United States, ranking as one of the top streamed films. According to data from Whip Media's TV Time app, which tracks viewing habits among over 25 million global users, the film placed fourth among all streaming movies across platforms for the week ending November 5, 2023.[40] It sustained strong performance the following week, ranking fifth for the period ending November 12, 2023.[41] The film's viewership was concentrated in North America, reflecting Hulu's primary market, with initial engagement highlighting its appeal as a lighthearted comedy. While exact global streaming figures are not publicly detailed, the U.S.-focused rankings underscore its solid debut within the competitive streaming landscape. Quiz Lady resonated particularly with family audiences through its exploration of sibling reconciliation and parental challenges, contributing to Hulu's success in the comedy genre.[2] It also drew Asian-American viewers, who connected with its nuanced depiction of immigrant family dynamics and cultural humor.[42] Into 2024, the film continued availability on Hulu and international platforms like Disney+, following its Emmy recognition.[43][44]Critical reception
Quiz Lady received generally positive reviews from critics, earning an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 92 reviews, with an average score of 6.4/10.[2] On Metacritic, the film holds a score of 59 out of 100, indicating mixed reviews from 12 critics.[45] The Rotten Tomatoes critics' consensus states: "Quiz Lady's perfectly matched leads help Jessica Yu's occasionally uneven comedy overcome its periodic wobbles and land on the right side of hilarious and heartfelt."[2] Critics widely commended the chemistry between Awkwafina and Sandra Oh, highlighting their portrayal of estranged sisters as a highlight that drives the film's humor and emotional depth.[9] The satire of game show culture and the heartfelt exploration of family drama were also noted as strengths, with Marya E. Gates of RogerEbert.com describing it as reminiscent of '90s buddy comedies like Black Sheep, blending zany physical humor with earnest sibling reconciliation.[4] Variety's Owen Gleiberman emphasized the film's effective balance of comedy and sincerity, crediting the leads for making the quiz-show scheme a vehicle for familial bonding.[9] However, some reviewers criticized the uneven pacing and predictable plot elements, with The Guardian's Cath Clarke calling it a "ho-hum road trip comedy" that offers only brief moments of hilarity amid formulaic tropes.[46] The film was appreciated for its Asian-led comedy that subverts stereotypes, portraying flawed immigrant family dynamics without relying on clichés, as noted in reviews that praised its representation of Asian American experiences.[9][33] Some critics observed that the supporting cast, including Holland Taylor and Jason Schwartzman, felt underutilized despite their capable performances in brief roles.[47] Despite the mixed critical response, the film's viewership success on Hulu suggested broader audience appeal.[2]Accolades
Quiz Lady received significant industry recognition following its release, particularly for its comedic storytelling and performances. The film won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024, with producers including Awkwafina and Sandra Oh accepting the honor at the Creative Arts ceremony.[48] This victory marked Sandra Oh's first Emmy after 14 prior nominations and highlighted the film's success as a Hulu original in the television movie category.[43] At the 29th Critics' Choice Awards in 2024, Quiz Lady won Best Movie Made for Television, further affirming its standing among top limited series and TV films.[49] The film also garnered multiple nominations at the 4th Astra TV Awards in 2024, including for Best TV Movie; Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie for both Awkwafina and Sandra Oh; Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie for Jason Schwartzman; Best Writing in a Limited Series or TV Movie for Jen D'Angelo; and Best Directing in a Limited Series or TV Movie for Jessica Yu.[50] Although the Astra ceremony was ultimately postponed, these nods underscored the contributions across the production. The critical praise for the lead performances influenced several of these acting recognitions.[50]| Award | Category | Result | Nominee(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Awards (2024) | Outstanding Television Movie | Won | Quiz Lady (producers: Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, et al.) |
| Critics' Choice Awards (2024) | Best Movie Made for Television | Won | Quiz Lady |
| Astra TV Awards (2024) | Best TV Movie | Nominated | Quiz Lady |
| Astra TV Awards (2024) | Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Nominated | Awkwafina; Sandra Oh |
| Astra TV Awards (2024) | Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Nominated | Jason Schwartzman |
| Astra TV Awards (2024) | Best Writing in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Nominated | Jen D'Angelo |
| Astra TV Awards (2024) | Best Directing in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Nominated | Jessica Yu |
