There’s a delicate magic to road trip films when they’re done right—a blend of personal introspection, unexpected humor, and the unspoken beauty of landscapes rolling by just outside the window. Sacramento, the sophomore directorial effort from Michael Angarano, taps into this magic with sincerity and warmth, delivering what might just be one of the most genuine road trip movies in recent memory.
Michael Angarano stars as Rickey, a high-energy, free-spirited man still clinging to his carefree past. Opposite him is Michael Cera as Glenn, a soon-to-be father who’s clearly wound tight and wrestling with the responsibilities of adulthood. When Rickey invites Glenn on a spontaneous journey from Los Angeles to Sacramento following the death of his own father, the pair set out on a trip that’s as much about emotional reckoning as it is about reaching a destination.
Cera, known for his quirky boy-next-door roles, is a revelation here. This is a different kind of performance from him—subtle, layered, and surprisingly moving. He brings a real sense of anxiety and restraint to Glenn that plays beautifully against Angarano’s impulsive Rickey. The two bounce off each other with a natural chemistry that lends the film its heart. Their interactions feel lived-in, like watching two actual old friends trying to figure out if they’ve outgrown each other or still need each other more than ever.
Kristen Stewart and Maya Erskine, while featured more sparingly, both leave strong impressions. Stewart, playing Glenn’s pregnant wife Rosie, gives a grounded and compassionate performance—even if her haircut is distracting. Erskine (of PEN15 fame and real-life partner to Angarano) brings a cool, calm energy to Tallie, and her scenes feel effortlessly real. Both women add dimension and depth to what could have been thankless roles.
Visually, Sacramento is striking. Director of Photography Ben Mullen captures California with the kind of warmth and subtle framing choices you’d expect from a seasoned indie veteran. There are several moments where the compositions do a lot of emotional heavy lifting—intimate, observant, and occasionally poetic.
The score, composed by jazz drummer Peter Erskine (yes, Maya’s father), might catch viewers off guard at first. Jazz isn't the most common genre choice for a millennial coming-of-age-in-your-30s story, but once the film embraces it, the score becomes one of its most endearing quirks. It’s a bold swing that pays off, giving Sacramento a unique tonal identity.
There are shades of Garden State and Away We Go throughout, especially in the way the film uses the journey as a vessel for inner change. Yet, Sacramento never feels derivative. It captures the messy, bittersweet edges of friendship with remarkable honesty, and in doing so, it carves out its own voice.
The script, co-written by Angarano and Chris Smith, is funny and heartfelt, often walking the tightrope between humor and emotional vulnerability. There’s a real understanding here of how men—particularly those on the brink of major life changes—communicate with each other (or, more often, fail to). You can feel that this script has evolved over time, shaped by the writers' own growth and personal experiences. That maturity pays off in spades.
With a killer soundtrack featuring songs from Smog, Solomon Burke, Ron Wood, and Johanna Samuels, and a standout supporting performance from AJ Mendez (yes, that AJ Lee), Sacramento crafts a vibe that’s equally nostalgic and fresh. It’s melancholic but never mopey, heartfelt but never overly sentimental.
It may be a harmless little road trip movie on the surface, but there’s a deeper resonance under the hood. For anyone who’s ever tried to hang onto a friendship while life pulls in a different direction—or questioned who they are in the process—Sacramento will hit home.
A quietly affecting comedy about masculinity, change, and the bittersweet passage of time. Strong performances and a genuine heart make Sacramento a road trip worth taking. Vertical invites audiences along for the ride when Sacramento opens in theaters nationwide on April 11, 2025.
Jessie Hobson