An uproarious coming-of-age drama, hailed as an ‘instant classic’, is now available for streaming on Channel 4’s on-demand service.
The 2020 comedy Shiva Baby, which boasts a remarkable 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, can now be enjoyed at no cost. Penned and directed by Emma Seligman, the film unfolds during a tense Jewish funeral service.
We follow Danielle, a 20-something university student portrayed by Rachel Sennott, who attends the service with her parents Joel (Fred Melamed) and Debbie (Polly Draper).
To her dismay, Danielle finds that her ex-girlfriend Maya (played by The Bear’s Molly Gordon) and sugar daddy Max (portrayed by Oppenheimer’s Danny Deferrari) are also present, reports the Mirror.
The tension escalates when Max’s wife Kim (played by Glee star Dianna Agron) and their baby make an appearance at the service.
Shiva Baby marked Seligman’s directorial debut, swiftly followed by her 2023 hit comedy Bottoms, which also featured Sennott alongside The Bear actor Ayo Edebiri.
With just two feature films to her name, Seligman has succeeded in captivating both viewers and critics. One viewer took to Rotten Tomatoes to laud Shiva Baby, dubbing it “a masterpiece and an instant classic.”
Another viewer commended: “Shiva Baby has to be the most edge-of-your-seat-awkward film I’ve seen this year – possibly ever. That’s not a criticism, on the contrary, Emma Seligman’s ability to make the audience feel the tension in the room is remarkable.”
Another viewer praised the comedy’s skill in portraying the recognisable struggle of a ‘quarter-life crisis.’
“I can safely say that not many times have I seen such accurate and ultimately endearing representations of the infamous “quarter-life crisis” as Shiva Baby managed to pull off,” they wrote.
Over on Google reviews, one cinema-goer said: “I had no idea how good this movie would be! Absolutely hilarious, highly recommend! If you are having a bad, this movie will definitely turn your day around!”
Meanwhile, a second fan outlined what sets the comedy apart from others, writing: “Shiva Baby is like being trapped at the most awkward family reunion imaginable, except it’s not your family, and you can’t stop watching the chaos unfold.”
They added: “It’s a recipe for disaster deliciously baked to perfection, with every cringe-worthy moment seasoned just right for maximum discomfort.”
Shiva Baby is streaming now on Channel 4