Is Waiting... Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Waiting... is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 94 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Waiting... Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2005, Waiting... emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Young employees at Shenaniganz restaurant collectively stave off boredom and adulthood with their antics. Unlike standard genre fare, Waiting... attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Waiting... features a noteworthy lineup led by Ryan Reynolds . Supported by the likes of Anna Faris and Justin Long , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Waiting... (2005) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Waiting... Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Waiting... is a Comedy, Romance film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Young employees at Shenaniganz restaurant collectively stave off boredom and adulthood with their antics. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Waiting... Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Waiting... concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Waiting... reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Waiting...?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Waiting... Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $3.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $18.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Waiting... Budget
The estimated production budget for Waiting... is $3.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Waiting...
- Ryan Reynolds – Monty
- Anna Faris – Serena
- Justin Long – Dean
- David Koechner – Dan
- Luis Guzmán – Raddimus
Top Highlights
Ryan ReynoldsMonty
Anna FarisSerena
Justin LongDean
David KoechnerDan
Luis GuzmánRaddimus
Chi McBrideBishop
John Francis DaleyMitch
Kaitlin DoubledayAmy
Rob BenedictCalvin
Alanna UbachNaomi
Where to Watch Waiting... Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Lionsgate Play
Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel
Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
Waiting... is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.2/10, and global collection metrics, Waiting... stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2005 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waiting... movie hit or flop?
Waiting... has received mixed reviews with a 6.2/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Waiting... worth watching?
Waiting... is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Romance movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Waiting... online?
Waiting... is currently available for streaming on Lionsgate Play. You can also check for it on platforms like Lionsgate Play, Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel depending on your region.
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How Waiting... Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Waiting...
_Waiting..._ is incredible for three reasons. Firstly, it was one of the films that helped rocket forward the careers of both Ryan Reynolds (_Buried, Deadpool_) and Justin Long (_Accepted, Dodgeball, Jeepers Creepers_). Secondly, it glorifies what is in my opinion the best American Comedy ever made, _Super Troopers_, as well as Kevin Smith (director of _Clerks I & II, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Dogma, Chasing Amy, Mallrats_) Finally, it's an American Comedy movie, and I paid actual money for it. I then watched it. I've watched it before. I'll probably even watch it again. BOOM! This probably means nothing to anyone who's reading this (there's also probably nobody reading this) but regardless, it's quite a big deal. Managing to take something as mundane as one day in a repetitive dead-end catering job, and make it even vaguely humorous is rather an achievement. You should watch it and play the other-other "The Game" (sidenote: I lost the game) like we used to in High School. 'Cause I'm classy like that. Seriously though, and I can't believe my thoughts even as I'm typing this, but I honestly think Waiting... is an underrated American Comedy gem, maybe I'm just seeing that comparatively, or with the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia, but I really do enjoy the film. 76% -Gimly
Great watch, will likely watch again, and do recommend. Granted it's a little raunchy, but it should be somewhat relatable to everyone. This joins a movies like "Clerks" (basically any Kevin Smith movie), and "The Concessionaires Must Die" for it's fantastic dialogue and interesting characters. Even if they're not "good" characters, each character has their own little gimmick that this awesome cast brings to life. Not everyone can be Ryan Reynolds, Justin Long, Anna Faris or Luis Guzmán, but it all comes down to each and everyone's stellar delivery with the multitude of stories happening on top of each other. The movie is very funny with deep thoughts sewn into it, mostly life philosophy.
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