New on Netflix: Ibiza is a Girl’s Night Out on Happy Pills

By Katherine Monk

A safe wish fulfillment fantasy for people who might want to know what a night out in the mecca of electronic dance music feels like, Ibiza offers all the beats and scenes you dream of, without actually leaving the house.

It’s a girl’s night out, a rom-com and an improv comedy produced by Gary Sanchez. Now, Sanchez is the producer who gets behind the solo projects of people like Kirsten Wiig and Will Ferrell. He makes wonky movies and Ibiza fits the Sanchez bill, it’s also the first feature from former PAs Alex Richanbach (director) and Lauryn Kahn (screenwriter).

This all adds up to good news because as formulaic as this movie often gets, it sidesteps the cow patty of cliche. Thanks to the real friend dynamic with the three leads — Gillian Jacobs (the woman who does the new Coke ads as well as Community and Love), Phoebe Robinson (Jill Solway’s I Love Dick) and SNL’s Vanessa Bayer. Apparently the three really bonded in real life over the course of shooting on the Adriatic (in Croatia and Serbia) — and you can feel it.

What makes this movie truly fun is the girls don’t turn on each other, they’re not looking for a man to complete them, and they do stuff girls do — shuffle through life with a third eye of self-awareness, and insecurity. Plus, for those still haunted by the Red Wedding episode of Game of Thrones, you can see Robb Stark rise from the dead as Richard Madden takes on the role of the love-interest: A club DJ with a soft side.

A fun way to spend a Friday night, and easily one of the best soundtracks streaming right now, Ibiza is all that — and a bag of happy pills.

@katherinemonk