The ‘Spa Weekend’ Cast Reveals the Comedy Legends They Want in the Sequel

Taylor Gates is an Indiana native who earned her BFA in Creative Writing from the University of Evansville. She fell in love with entertainment After college, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a writer, editor, and filmmaker. Today, she’s a sucker for dramedies — especially coming-of-age stories centering around complex female and LGBTQ+ characters.

She has been with Collider since May 2022. The female-led ensemble comedy is one of the greatest genres, regularly producing some of the most fun, rewatchable films. From Bridesmaids to Girls Trip, The First Wives Club to Bad Moms, there’s nothing better than watching women let loose.

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There’s something empowering about it, too. Women are often relegated to the sidelines playing supporting wives or bland mother roles, so any time they’re allowed to take center stage is worth celebrating.

Spa Weekend follows in this tradition of raunchy, hilarious films, seeing a group of women consisting of single mom Jane (Leslie Mann), workaholic Sophie (Anna Faris), unapologetically angry Coco (Michelle Buteau), and party girl Mel (Isla Fisher) go on a trip for Jane’s birthday.

Unfortunately, the getaway proves to be anything but relaxing, with overbearing bosses, bitter separations, and friendship drama threatening to ruin the vacation. Can hot yoga instructors, lounging Collider got the chance to talk to the main quartet of Spa Weekend's funny ladies.

During the conversation, they discussed the film’s surprisingly moving message, sizzling romances, wildest stunts, dream ideas for the sequel, and more.

COLLIDER: First of all, congratulations on this movie. It’s such a fun time. I want to start with you, Isla, because you have some wild outfits in this movie.

Broader Impact and Sector Outlook

I'm curious how you worked with the costume designer to shape her look, and then, how did that influence how you played her? ISLA FISHER: Okay, for starters, I loved my costumes. Thank you for highlighting that.

I really did. And when I left the movie, I actually took all the jewelry, and I kept some of the outfits, and I was absolutely obsessed with that whole thing. We wanted her to be kind of iconic in her own way, but still cool and edgy.

I loved all of our costumes, actually. ANNA FARIS: I feel like you kept your character kind of low in the saddle, you know what I mean? Specifically those pants.

FISHER: I was not that comfortable in my leopard print yoga outfit, but I surrendered to it. Michelle, I thought the message that your character sends was really powerful because women have a right to be angry, but it's also self-care to not let that anger control you.

I'm curious how you sort of resonated with that or what appealed to you about that aspect of your character.

MICHELLE BUTEAU: The world feels very dark right now, and you could actually really be upset and cry about something every day throughout the day. So when people say, “Joy is radical care, and we're just trying to keep our minds together,” it’s that.

It’s reminding yourself, yes, there are these problems, but you also have to [find joy], and that's self-care, right?

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Making sure that you laugh, and have a good time, and you spend your time with people that you love. And I feel like every woman in this movie — whether it's my character figuring out how not to be angry and feel cheated FARIS: Sophie’s just trying to put two and two together. She's just doing some simple math.

BUTEAU: No, Sophie's character is also very complicated. It’s giving Working Girl. It’s giving ‘you're the smartest person in the room, but no one's gonna take you seriously because of how you look, or you're a woman,’ whatever it is.

I love the friendship, but I also love the romance that we got. I feel like Sophie's really the only character we didn't see find love, or at least a fun little one-night stand. FARIS: Oh, but I have a backstory.

You guys know that Greg has been pretty stressed out. FARIS: He likes to spend a lot of time in his man cave that he built. He's been unemployed.

BUTEAU: Sophie’s getting pounded every weekend! Get out of here! FISHER: She's too busy upgrading the systems at the spa resort.

BUTEAU: That’s why Sophie can work — she’s getting her back blown, I think. Sorry, I wasn’t supposed to say that. FARIS: I think the sequel is Sophie's journey.

FARIS: I would joke about Greg all the time, and I am one of those nerdy character actors that likes to think about— FISHER: She really did stay in character for a lot of it. FARIS: [In breathy voice] Well, it's pretty easy. I really loved the relationship that Jane has with Kai.

That hand massage scene — it was sexy! It's bizarre, but it is very sexy in a way, too. I'm curious how you found that grounded romantic element in something that, on paper, is pretty absurd.

MANN: [Laughs] How did I find it? Well, I guess you just kind of believe the moment. FARIS: I think that you have a natural sensuality.

It's like part of your essence. It’s a little intimidating. MANN: Really?

I don’t see myself that way, but thank you. FARIS: It’s also behind your eyes. You have finesse.

MANN: [Reaches across Fisher to hold Faris’ hand] Tell me more. FARIS: We never really got a chance to talk about the other ladies around. I really loved all the physical comedy in this movie.

I feel like we've really lost the art of slapstick in modern times. I'm curious if you can talk about getting to flex that physical comedy muscle a little bit in this.