Vow Villa

starring: TESS DINERSTEIN & JARED STAUB

To save his failing career, reality TV bad boy Nate convinces his introverted childhood bestie, Stella, to fake an engagement on the chaotic dating show Vow Villa for a half million dollar prize. Surviving outrageous challenges, a robot host, and Nate’s unhinged ex proves brutal, but fake intimacy quickly sparks real heat as their play pretend turns into true love.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Well this is joyous. And hilarious.

Firstly I must apologized as a Brit that our biggest cultural legacy to the world this century is Love Island. But there you go.

And this is a hysterical take down of the format whilst also telling a really strong love story.

Aided by the fact everyone has brought their a game

Best ever performance by @tess.din - there are layers and layers here, and her hurt when she thinks Nate has not only cheated but made a fool of her is palpable. But we also have connection and chemistry with @jared.staub - you believe they are long standing friends, you see them bring out the best in each other, and this is one of the most natural and well done friends to lovers stories I have seen in a vertical

@jared.staub is ridiculously good. Channing Tatum of Verticals but better. He has a lot more range. Impeccable comedy timing and then he goes on for a sucker punch and breaks your heart with his speech that he isn't good enough

And then dear lord @oliviarrosewilliams is iconic in this. I do now need to see her and @sarahmoliski cast together and scrapping it out as sisters. She is just hysterical throughout the whole thing

@jeff_flawless always delivers and is a costume teams dream with what he is willing to wear

Also very much enjoyed @marcus_pooch and @kayleencasey - they need a spin off vertical

Shout out as well to the producer - please let me know who played this role

It's just wonderful and please head over to @inkittcandyjar immediately for another superb version from the whole team and director @barrjessie

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

What is so admirable about this vertical is that on one level it is a broad comedy. But on another it is a really sweet and heartfelt romance. And that is thanks to the leads, this is by far my favourite performance from Tess Dinerstein. Stella is complex - and shows you can be an introvert and self contained, but also fun and spontaneous. We don’t often get to see that duality in verticals.

And Jared Staub is phenomenal. Who else can do charisma, comedy and then break your heart at the same time? He even makes the blonde tints and bandana look good. It’s not fair.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Good grief Olivia Rose Williams is brilliant in this. Totally unhinged, but always aware of the camera, as she turns and poses and claims to have found the lord.

She has always been good, but this is a tour de force - as she goes full throttle with the screams, breakdowns, flouncing and very very bad behaviour.

It’s also an excellent take down of influencers and the way social media algorithms work - Holly is no fool, she knows what she is there to do, and a willing participant in amping up the drama whenever possible.

😂 Comedy gold:

It had to go to Jeff Lawless as Larry, with his hastily muttered ‘yes supreme leader’ whenever ordered around by Holly. I snort laughed every time.

Although very tempted to give it to the producer and the entire scene where she is talking with Nate, and slowly edging closer, cuddling up to him, and then throws her legs over him. Hysterical and made by Jared Staub’s facial expressions. Every single scene on the villa sofa is hilarious or important, nothing is wasted here.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Well firstly the team at Candyjar for signing off on a comedy. THANK YOU.

And then Sally and Jesse - deserved winners tbh of Vow Villa. Loving Jesse’s whole hippy, free love vibe. And he clearly is the Yang to Sally’s Yin. Only disappointment is Sally and Holly never actually get into it, all threats. I am actually in awe of the self control of the entire team that no one gets pitched into that swimming pool. Has to be a first I think for a vertical. Swimming pool self control.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Jessie Barr | 2026

Available on Candyjar