Busboys (2026) Review: A Dumb Comedy That Knows Exactly What It Is

There’s a very specific kind of comedy that doesn’t try to impress you—it just throws jokes at the wall and hopes enough of them stick. Busboys (2026) lives entirely in that space. It’s loud, messy, and borderline ridiculous, but every now and then, it hits a groove that makes you forget how uneven it actually is.

This isn’t a polished comedy. It’s two comedians riffing their way through a thin premise—and whether that works for you depends entirely on your tolerance for chaos.

⭐ Rating: 2.8 / 5

Quick Info

• Release Date: April 17, 2026

• Where to Watch: Currently in select theaters (digital release expected soon)

• Genre: Comedy

• Runtime: 93 minutes

• Director: Jonah Feingold

• Cast: David Spade, Theo Von, Tim Dillon, Jay Pharoah, Charlotte McKinney

Story Overview

The premise couldn’t be simpler—or dumber. Two friends, Markie and Steef, are convinced that becoming waiters will magically fix their lives. More money, better status, maybe even some long-overdue respect.

So they take jobs as busboys, thinking it’s just a quick step toward something better.

They’re not entirely wrong—but they’re definitely not ready for what comes with it.

What follows isn’t really a structured story. It’s more like a chain reaction of bad decisions, awkward encounters, and workplace chaos that spirals in every direction.

The Review

The entire film rests on the dynamic between David Spade and Theo Von, and to be fair, that’s where most of the entertainment comes from.

Spade does exactly what you expect—dry, sarcastic, slightly cynical. It’s familiar territory, but he knows how to make it work without feeling completely phoned in.

Theo Von is the wildcard. His delivery feels loose, unpredictable, and at times like he’s making things up on the spot. Sometimes it lands perfectly. Other times, it drifts into randomness that doesn’t quite connect. But even when it doesn’t work,

it keeps the film from feeling stale.

The problem is the script—or more accurately, the lack of one.

Scenes don’t always build into each other. It often feels like the movie is jumping from one comedic idea to the next without worrying about structure. That gives it an almost sketch-comedy vibe, which can be fun in short bursts, but starts to wear thin over a full runtime.

That said, there are moments where everything clicks.

Tim Dillon shows up with just enough sharpness to cut through the noise, delivering some of the more memorable lines. And Jay Pharoah adds an unexpected layer of absurdity that somehow fits the film’s offbeat tone.

The pacing helps a lot. At 93 minutes, it doesn’t drag. Even when a joke misses, the film moves on quickly, which keeps things from completely falling apart.

Busboys is exactly what it looks like—a messy, inconsistent comedy that relies heavily on its cast to carry it.

It’s not smart, it’s not polished, and it’s definitely not for everyone. But if you go in expecting something loose, dumb, and occasionally funny, there’s enough here to make it a decent one-time watch.

Just don’t expect it to stick with you afterward.

What Works

The chemistry between Spade and Theo Von is the film’s biggest strength. When their back-and-forth clicks, it feels natural and genuinely funny. The film also benefits from its fast pacing—it doesn’t overstay its welcome.

What Doesn’t Work

The lack of structure is hard to ignore. The story feels thin, and the humor is inconsistent. Some jokes hit, but others feel lazy or stretched too far.

Standout Moments

There are a few chaotic restaurant sequences where everything spirals out of control at once—those moments capture the film at its best. It’s loud, unpredictable, and completely ridiculous.

Comparison

If you’ve seen workplace comedies like Waiting…, this sits in a similar lane—but with less narrative focus and more improvisational energy. Think looser, messier, and a bit more hit-or-miss.

Meta Description

Busboys (2026) review: A chaotic comedy starring David Spade and Theo Von that delivers occasional laughs but struggles with story and consistency.