Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells Bring Laughter and Chemistry to New Film 'I Don't Understand You"

Published: June 5, 2025

Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells, known for their comedic chemistry on Netflix's "Big Mouth," are taking their friendship to the next level in the new dark comedy "I Don't Understand You." The film follows a married couple whose trip to Italy to celebrate their anniversary and upcoming adoption of a baby takes a hilarious and bloody turn when they get lost in a rural area with no cell service.

A Natural Chemistry

Rannells, 46-year-old actor, tells PEOPLE that the pair's real-life friendship helped them bring authenticity to their roles. "I really did rely on Nick, and I leaned on Nick. He was very generous, and we really took turns taking care of each other," he says. Kroll adds, "It was very natural, just very natural."

The film, directed by Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig, is based on the real-life experiences of the writer-director duo, who got stuck on the side of the road in Italy while celebrating their 10th anniversary, just before welcoming their first child.

A Unique On-Screen Pairing

Craig tells PEOPLE that they cast Kroll and Rannells because they "love each other in real life and they really get each other." The duo's experience acting as part of a duo, between Rannells' famous Broadway role in "The Book of Mormon" and Kroll's years of comedy with close friend John Mulaney, made them the perfect fit for the roles.

A Parenting Origin Story and Comedic Vacation-Gone-Wrong Nightmare

Kroll, who shares two kids with wife Lily Kwong, says the opportunity to work closer with his Big Mouth costar Rannells "was one of the main things that attracted me to doing this film." The movie doubles as a parenting origin story and comedic vacation-gone-wrong nightmare that debuts as Pride Month begins and Father's Day approaches.

"To have a film in theaters with gay characters in it is so unusual, and then to have them not be tragic characters or victims is also a real unusual thing," co-director Crano says. "It just feels like a huge win."

"I Don't Understand You" is in theaters June 6. Read more about the film here.