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Buddymoon

Buddymoon (previously known as Honey Buddies) is a 2016 American independent directed by and written by Simmons, , and . It stars Giuntoli and Borg as best friends embarking on a backpacking trip through the mountains of after one is jilted at the wedding altar, inspired by the . The film premiered at the Mammoth Film Festival on January 23, 2016, and was released theatrically on July 15, 2016.

Film Overview

Plot

Buddymoon follows , a former struggling with a faded career, who is dumped by his fiancée just days before their , leaving him in deep and at home. His best friend Flula, an upbeat and quirky who serves as his best man, arrives to lift his spirits and insists they proceed with the planned —a strenuous seven-day backpacking trek through the remote mountains of the wilderness—as a way to escape and heal. Reluctantly agreeing, joins Flula on the adventure, transforming what was meant to be a romantic getaway into an improvised "buddymoon" focused on male friendship and recovery from heartbreak. As they hike through the Pacific Northwest's rugged terrain, the duo faces a series of comedic mishaps and encounters that test their bond and reveal personal backstories. They navigate challenging river crossings, deal with tent collapses during stormy nights, and scare off such as wolves, all while Flula's relentless optimism clashes with David's lingering bitterness over his failed and stalled dreams. Along the trail, they meet eccentric characters, including a and a female camper who sparks a brief romantic interest for David, leading to interpersonal conflicts that highlight the absurdity of their situation and force moments of vulnerability. Tensions peak when Flula intervenes to prevent David from pursuing a , resulting in a day of strained silence and emotional confrontation amid the . The pair reconciles through a surreal bonding experience involving psychedelic mushrooms, where they share a hallucinatory encounter that fosters deeper understanding and personal growth. By the trip's end, David emerges renewed, having processed his heartbreak, while their friendship is profoundly strengthened, underscoring themes of and the restorative power of companionship.

Cast

The principal cast of Buddymoon is led by as David, a former navigating personal turmoil following a romantic setback. plays Flula, David's upbeat and eccentric best friend from , whose real-life camaraderie with Giuntoli informed their on-screen dynamic. In a supporting role, Jeanne Syquia portrays Frankie, David's ex-fiancée, featured primarily through voiceovers and flashbacks. The ensemble includes Brian T. Finney as the Hiker, an offbeat wilderness enthusiast encountered during the characters' journey, and as Polly, a female camper who sparks romantic interest for David. Additional bit players, such as Hutch Harris as the Campfire Singer, contribute to the film's lighthearted, improvisational tone.

Production

Development

The concept for Buddymoon originated around 2014 when , , and —longtime friends and former housemates—identified a rare two-week window in their schedules to collaborate on a . Inspired by their decade-long real-life friendship, which began in and evolved through shared living in , the trio drew from personal experiences of camaraderie to craft a story centered on during an impromptu adventure. This idea built on earlier web series collaborations, emphasizing authentic banter between amplified versions of themselves. The script was developed collaboratively by Simmons, Borg, and Giuntoli, initially titled Honey Buddies before being retitled Buddymoon to better capture its comedic essence. Rather than a traditional , it relied on a detailed outline with color-coded scenes to guide an improvisation-heavy approach, allowing the natural chemistry of the creators to drive the dialogue and capture unscripted humor. The writing process prioritized themes of genuine male friendship, reflecting the group's own dynamics and communal history. Pre-production milestones included securing funding for the low-budget indie project, estimated at $50,000, primarily through personal investments and pooled resources from the creators and their network. Casting focused on friends to maintain authenticity, with Giuntoli and Borg selected as the leads based on their real-life rapport, supplemented by fellow Grimm cast member Claire Coffee in a supporting role. Planning emphasized a streamlined outdoor shoot in Oregon's wilderness to minimize costs, leveraging natural locations for both narrative and production efficiency. Unique aspects of development included informal concept readings drawn from the group's prior work, which helped refine the improvisational style and test the buddy dynamic early on. The emphasis on authentic friendship themes stemmed directly from the creators' experiences, positioning as a passion project celebrating platonic bonds over conventional romance.

Filming

Principal photography for Buddymoon occurred over a period of ten days in the summer of 2014, capturing the film's improvised backpacking narrative almost entirely on location in Oregon's remote forests and mountains. The production team selected natural settings in the woods near to leverage diffused natural light under tree cover, minimizing the need for artificial lighting and enhancing the aesthetic of the outdoor scenes. Specific areas included trails in the , such as Eagle Creek and the Benson Plateau, where hikes, campsites, and encounters were filmed to reflect the story's emphasis on wilderness exploration. Minimal studio work was required, with only a few pick-up shots completed later. The shooting schedule was tightly constrained, fitting into a brief window between star David Giuntoli's commitments on Grimm and Flula Borg's work on Pitch Perfect 2, which added logistical pressure but allowed for spontaneous energy in the performances. Directed by Alex Simmons, the production faced challenges inherent to an unscripted format, including the need to improvise all dialogue and scenes on the fly, which relied heavily on the natural chemistry between the lead actors playing heightened versions of themselves. Outdoor audio capture proved difficult due to environmental noise, leading to adaptations in sound design during post-production, while equipment transport into remote trails was managed with a lightweight setup featuring two cameras for dynamic singles. Cinematography was handled by Michael Lockridge and Peter Alton, who emphasized the scenic beauty of Oregon's landscapes through handheld shots and extended takes in natural light, often continuing until late evening during the long . On-set fostered unique moments, such as incorporating historical elements like William Clark's journal entries as voice-overs, which emerged from discussions during hikes rather than pre-planned elements. No major delays occurred, though the remote locations demanded careful planning for weather variability and wildlife encounters to ensure safety and continuity.

Release and Reception

Release

Buddymoon had its world at the in , on January 23, 2016, where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. The film subsequently screened at several , including the , Calgary Underground Film Festival (its international ), Ashland Independent Film Festival, and Mammoth Lakes Film Festival in early to mid-2016. In March 2016, worldwide distribution rights were acquired by , an independent distributor, leading to a in select U.S. cities and a simultaneous video-on-demand (VOD) rollout on July 1, 2016. The film became available digitally on platforms such as and from the outset, with international streaming access including in select regions and in . Without major studio support, the release emphasized digital accessibility over wide theatrical distribution. Marketing efforts were modest and grassroots-oriented, relying heavily on social media promotion by the cast, particularly Flula Borg's YouTube channel and Instagram posts highlighting the film's comedic buddy dynamic. Official trailers, released in May 2016, focused on the themes of friendship and adventure, garnering views through festival circuits and online channels. The film's theatrical performance was limited, reflecting its indie status with modest box office returns from the brief run in a handful of venues; its primary success came from festival acclaim and subsequent streaming availability, which broadened audience reach.

Critical Response

Buddymoon received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 75% approval rating on based on eight reviews. On , it holds a 6.1 out of 10 rating from approximately 1,600 users. The film also garnered a Metascore of 50 out of 100 on from five critics, indicating mixed or average reception. Critics frequently praised the film's humor and the strong chemistry between leads and , highlighting their authentic as a key strength. described it as a "fleet, consistently amusing 80-minute jaunt through the woods," appreciating the indie charm and the scenic backdrop that enhanced the backpacking adventure. Similarly, the noted the "ties of a real friendship at work here, and that is part of the charm," while Showbiz Junkies called it a "truly a two-man show" where both actors "play their parts perfectly." The commended the "perfect chemistry" and Flula's "Germanic malapropisms," deeming it a "fun walk in the woods." The labeled it "frequently funny," focusing on the optimistic dynamic between the American and German friends hiking through Oregon's wilds. However, some reviews critiqued the pacing and originality, viewing it as derivative of buddy road trip comedies with underdeveloped side characters and a predictable plot. The found that the film "hasn’t packed enough plot or humor to distinguish itself amidst all that lush mountain greenery," calling it a slog due to sluggish pacing. The Film Stage gave it a C+, noting that "Flula's is not universally palatable" and the story is "paper-thin beyond ad-libbed sketches," though it acknowledged the leads' efforts in making it a successful . Metacritic reviews echoed concerns about believability, with one stating it requires a "giant leap of faith just to believe these two characters would ever be friends," and another criticizing the "poky lead characters" for failing to pick up the pace. outlets like these highlighted the film's reliance on tropes, limiting its depth despite the visual appeal of the settings. Audience reception has been generally positive, particularly among fans of Giuntoli from his role in Grimm, who appreciated the lighthearted extension of his on-screen persona into this feel-good comedy. User reviews on IMDb often cite the enjoyable improvisation and themes of friendship as resonating, contributing to a cult following through streaming platforms like Amazon Prime. Many viewers found the humor and Oregon scenery uplifting, with one noting it as a "pleasant journey with two goofy guys." In terms of awards, Buddymoon won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2016 but received no major industry nominations or wins, though it earned recognition in circles for its accessible, friendship-focused narrative.

References

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