Get ready to strike out in laughter! The first trailer for The Gutter, a new sports comedy from the minds of Isaiah and Yassir Lester, has officially dropped, offering a sneak peek at what may become the next cult-favorite in the lane of outrageous bowling comedies. Starring Shameik Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), the film’s trailer gives us a glimpse into the wild antics that unfold in a bowling alley where fame and failure collide.
In The Gutter, Moore plays Walt, a mischievous slacker who stumbles into a job at AlleyCatz, a run-down bowling alley on the verge of foreclosure. While tending bar and de-roaching shoes, Walt discovers an unexpected talent for bowling. Enter Skunk (played by Emmy nominee D’Arcy Carden of The Good Place), a washed-up pro bowler turned professional drinker, who convinces Walt to turn pro and save the alley from closing. Together, they take on the Super League of Bowlers (SLOB), facing off against an unforgettable villain: Linda “The Crusher” Curson, portrayed by Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon.
Rounding out the cast are Jay Ellis, Jackée Harry, Kim Fields, Paul Reiser, Langston Kerman, Tony Baker, Earthquake, and Adam Pally. The Gutter takes its outlandish plot to new levels with Walt’s unlikely rise to stardom. Along the way, he faces backlash from detractors like Reiser’s ratings-obsessed news anchor and Sarandon’s fiery bowling legend—both intent on seeing Walt’s pro career end before it even begins.
From beer-soaked alleys to cigarette-smoked drama, The Gutter takes audiences on a wild ride of strikes, spares, and slapstick comedy, all while skewering the world of competitive bowling. The film also marks the feature directorial debut of the Lester brothers, Isaiah (Black-ish) and Yassir (The Carmichael Show), who co-wrote the screenplay.
Premiering earlier this year at SXSW 2024 to rave reviews, The Gutter will screen next at the London Film Festival and is set for release in theaters and on-demand on November 1, courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
For fans of gloriously stupid, yet highly entertaining comedies, The Gutter follows in the footsteps of ‘90s classics like Kingpin and Dodgeball. With its over-the-top antics and lovable underdogs, it’s shaping up to be the kind of film that takes the absurdity of professional bowling to a whole new level. Whether you’re a fan of bowling or just love a good laugh, The Gutter promises to deliver strikes of comedy at every turn.
Check out the official trailer now and mark your calendars for November 1st. It’s going to be a wild, gut-busting time at the lanes!