Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Joyous, inclusive comedy has some violence, strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
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Easter Sunday
What's the Story?
In EASTER SUNDAY, Filipino stand-up comic Joe Valencia (Jo Koy) is badgered by his mother (Lydia Gaston) to come home for the Easter holiday. He decides to drag along his son, Junior (Brandon Wardell), for some bonding time. Unfortunately, Joe is distracted by the possibility of getting a part on a new TV series that would require him to do a "funny" Filipino accent. He also discovers that his cousin Eugene (Eugene Cordero), with whom he has invested in a taco truck, has turned their investment into a "hype truck" and now owes money to angry mobsters. On top of that, Joe's mother and her sister, Joe's Tita Theresa (Tia Carrere), are fighting and refuse to share a meal together. Everything comes to a head when the criminals, led by Dev Deluxe (Asif Ali), crash the dinner party.
Is It Any Good?
Though it relies on overly familiar sitcom-type plot threads, this inclusive comedy is fleshed out by its warm characters, their easy chemistry, and the humor that flows naturally as a result. Marking Koy's leading-man debut, Easter Sunday successfully draws from his stand-up act, focusing on all the love and craziness of his Filipino family. It's a treat to see such strong representation, but the family dynamic is also nicely universal. Director Jay Chandrasekhar is best known for his broad, lowbrow Broken Lizard comedies, and here he falls back on coincidences, chase scenes, annoying villains, and a violent showdown (all clichés that don't conjure many laughs), but the simpler character interactions are genuinely funny.
Koy is smart enough to surround himself with a wide selection of wonderful character actors, mostly Filipino, that elevate the material. Cordero is a delight as the cousin whose dumb idea causes all the trouble, while he still demonstrates a sweetness and a charming smile that make him relatable. Carrere is hilarious as the pouting auntie who wages subtle food wars with Joe's mom. Comic Jimmy O. Yang is great as a backroom black-market guy. And Lou Diamond Phillips brings a legendary presence to his cameo as himself. There's a lot happening in Easter Sunday, but it's really the little moments in between the broader strokes that make it worth hunting for.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Easter Sunday. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How does the movie depict Filipino families and culture? Why is diverse representation in the media important?
How is communication important to the story? What are some examples of characters communicating or not communicating, and what were the consequences?
What are the reasons for and against Joe taking the job on the sitcom that requires him to do a "funny" accent? Would you have taken the job? Why, or why not?
Given that Joe stars in a TV commercial for a real product (Budweiser), did it feel like the movie was advertising that product? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 5, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : August 23, 2022
- Cast : Jo Koy , Lydia Gaston , Brandon Wardell
- Director : Jay Chandrasekhar
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Communication
- Run time : 120 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some strong language, and suggestive references
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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