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Netflix’s Roommates turns a promising college friendship into a darkly comic cautionary tale, but uneven pacing and an unsatisfying conclusion keep the film from reaching its full potential.

Released April 17, the movie stars Sadie Sandler as Devon and Chloe East as Celeste, two students beginning their first year at the fictional Walton University. Comedian Sarah Sherman narrates their turbulent story.

Devon and Celeste meet during orientation, quickly become friends and decide to live together. Once they move in, however, their relationship begins to fracture. Early flashes of aggression eventually escalate into larger confrontations, with their fallout recounted years later as a warning to another pair of feuding roommates.

The framing device is entertaining, but the story develops unevenly. Its opening moves slowly, while several dramatic moments come across as cheesy rather than compelling.

The film is strongest when depicting college life. Its classrooms, library and parties feel convincing without becoming exaggerated. The cast also looks believably college-aged, adding realism to the campus setting.

Parallels to Mean Girls and familiar teenage drama give the movie a nostalgic, relatable quality. Yet the writing often feels generic, and even appearances by Natasha Lyonne, Megan Thee Stallion and Nick Kroll fail to give it a truly memorable spark.

Roommates offers sharp one-liners, dark humor and amusing celebrity cameos, making it suitable for a quick, entertaining watch. Still, its awkward timing, underdeveloped plot and lackluster ending leave the movie feeling like a missed opportunity.