Originally, I planned to review a straight-to-streaming horror film shot in the Tulsa area, recommended by a friend—so thanks for that. But I just wasn’t in the mood for horror. Instead, I was looking for something with a bit of comedy, a touch of drama, or maybe something in between.
Truthfully, with all the pain and misery in the real world over the past few weeks, I needed a break…
That search led me to Unplugging, a surprisingly unassuming film also shot in Tulsa and its surrounding areas. It balances comedy and drama while exploring the self-imposed digital traps we create—ones that often come with a friends-and-family plan.
This hit home for me. I have to keep a cellphone on me at all times, mostly because my loved ones are afraid another stroke might sneak up on me, leaving me twitching on the kitchen floor, in need of an ambulance—or worse, a coroner. So, I keep one on me, just in case.
While their circumstances aren’t as dire, Unplugging follows Dan (comedian Matt Walsh), a hot sauce entrepreneur, and Jeanine (Eva Longoria), a workaholic commercial real estate agent, whose lives revolve around their phones.
When Dan’s close friend—their UPS driver, naturally—suddenly dies, he’s hit with an “existential lightning bolt,” wondering if modern technology is really worth it. Seeking change, he convinces Jeanine to join him on a “digital detox” getaway at an off-the-grid Airbnb in rural Glenpool, Oklahoma.
At first, they do their best to adjust, walking, talking, and reconnecting. But when they suspect their daughter may be in danger, they scramble to find a cell signal and get home. Hijinks ensue, of course.
While I’ve never been in a life-threatening situation clinging to one bar of cell power, I understand the fear of not being able to reach out when you need to. Director Debra Neil-Fisher and writers Walsh and Brad Morris handle the theme of technological dependence well, even if some jokes feel a bit on-the-nose.
The real strength of Unplugging, though, lies in its performances.
Walsh, a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade, is always a treat in smaller roles, but here, he makes this movie something special. Longoria, typically cast as a seductive presence, shines as a hardworking, high-strung professional, proving she has serious comedic chops.
Supporting players like Keith David and Johnny Pemberton deliver great moments, but the true standout is Oklahoma itself. The backwoods scenery is on full display, with long walks to nowhere and golden-hour skies offering an unexpected emotional depth. Even the early scenes in downtown Tulsa add a local charm.
At first, I wasn’t sure about Unplugging. I assumed it would be just another dumb comedy about overworked suburbanites. But once the story settled into its rural setting, its understated heart won me over. It gave me 90 minutes of honest enjoyment.
And, to be sure, I probably wouldn’t have gotten that from a stupid horror movie.
-
Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
