Off Ramp

I've never felt more compelled to write a film review. A friend brought this screening idea up to me and we went expecting it to be something to laugh at. Turns out, it's a genuinely earnest, surprisingly wholesome, and impressively executed little movie I'm so glad I saw! It was very clearly done with love and care by people who had something to say and they said it well!

We watched the new Crow remake the day before and it's remarkable how much better this film is by comparison. Two movies trying to have the same emotional core, but one was done with love and the other was The Crow (2024).

I don't want to give anything away, but I wanted to tip my hat to everyone involved. Give this scrappy little gem an honest watch and I think you'll be glad you did.

In short, Off Ramp is a a beautifully shot story of life and love told through the lens of a subculture I knew almost nothing about : the Juggalos. While I don't see myself going out and painting my face or listening to a ton of Insane Clown Posse records as a result of watching the movie, I was truly moved by the writing and the messages of unconditional love, survival, and family. The performances were also super strong across the board. The casting was impeccable via Hunter McHugh - the leads, Jon Oswald and Scott Turner Schofield brought a beautiful relationship with each other and the Juggalo family to life, and Jared Bankens, Ashley Smith, and Miles Doleac left distinct impressions. I hope that this film catches fire with audiences.

OFF RAMP captivated my attention the entire time! Twists and turns that lead to unpredictable outcomes throughout this movie yet full of wittiness between two friends that had you feeling apart of their inside jokes! Laughter including morbid humor, moments of sorrow, situations that shocked your brain into "wait, that normally doesn't happen in movies" to understanding the full extent of loyalty, love and acceptance within the Juggalo Family. Do not pass the opportunity to watch this movie. It is one that seems to cover a lot of issues at hand between the misconceptions of people that chose a different journey in life to be accepted with exactly who they are at the core of their heart.

Off Ramp starts off feeling like the movie 'Detroit Rock City' as a wacky on the road adventure with friends trying to make it to a concert. Well in this film it's The Gathering Of The Juggalo festival. At first it starts loose and fun then around the half way mark the movie makes an abrupt tonal shift and gets really dark, and not for the better of the film. After that a bunch of whacked out crazy stuff happens. Then it kinda just ends.

This movie is alright but to me it just feels like two completely different films that never quite gel together. And not climaxing with them performing at the festival was a huge mistake! Since these guys kept talking about performing and you see one dude constantly showing that he got over his stage fright, it just feels like a loose end that was never tied up.

I don't know, I honestly wanted to love it but I just found it all to be whatever.

I saw Off Ramp at the New Orleans Film Festival last year with no expectations, and I fell in love with this movie. I believe that everyone can find something in this film to relate to. I grew up in a small town in Mississippi, and Off Ramp paints a perfect picture of what it's like to be different in the Bible Belt. Watching Trey and Silas on their journey to the carnival is the most fun I've had watching a movie in a long time. I think that a great movie can make you cry and laugh at the same time, and Off Ramp definitely delivers!! I'm so glad this film exists. I'm excited to watch again!!!