The Story of The Layover: When Best Friends Become Rivals
The Layover opens with a premise that's been done before, but rarely with quite this much energy: two single best friends are on their way to a tropical vacation when their flight gets rerouted due to a hurricane warning, forcing them to spend an unplanned night in St. Louis. That's where they meet him—the charming stranger who'll set off a competition neither of them saw coming. What starts as a casual conversation at an airport bar becomes an all-out rivalry as both women realize they're interested in the same guy, turning their layover into something far more complicated than either anticipated. The film plays this setup for laughs, watching the friendship get tested by attraction, jealousy, and the kind of petty one-upmanship that comes when two people want the same thing.
Behind the Making of The Layover: Production, Cast, and Creative Ambitions
Director William H. Macy—best known for his acting work in Fargo and Shameless—stepped behind the camera for this 2017 comedy, working from a screenplay by David Hornsby and Lance Krall. Filming took place across multiple locations in May and June 2015, with crews working in Vancouver, St. Louis, and parts of Florida to capture the road-trip energy the story demanded. The cast assembled around leads Kate Upton and Alexandra Daddario included Matt Barr as the object of their affection, alongside supporting players like Kal Penn, Rob Corddry, Molly Shannon, and Matt L. Jones—a solid ensemble that suggested the filmmakers were banking on ensemble chemistry to carry the comedy.
Upton, a model and actress known for her appearances in The Other Woman and various modeling campaigns, was paired with Daddario, whose résumé includes roles in True Detective and the Baywatch film. The combination of these two leads—one with limited film experience, one with stronger dramatic credentials—created an interesting dynamic on paper. Macy's directorial approach seemed to lean into the buddy-comedy framework, hoping that the contrast between the characters would generate natural friction and humor. While the film didn't set the box office on fire, it found its way to streaming platforms where audiences could discover it on their own terms, and Movie OTT tracks availability across multiple services to help viewers find where they can stream it now.
What Makes The Layover Stand Out: Performances and the Comedy-Romance Balancing Act
Here's the thing about The Layover—it swings for the fences in terms of commitment. Alexandra Daddario, in particular, brings an earnestness to her role that's hard not to respect. She doesn't phone it in; she's genuinely trying to make the material work, throwing herself into the comedy with a kind of fearlessness that doesn't always get rewarded by the script. What's striking is how much effort the cast puts into landing jokes that, well, don't always land. The film operates in that tricky space where it wants to be both a romantic comedy and a buddy comedy, and that split focus means it's never quite as sharp as it could be in either lane.
The rivalry between the two leads is where the film finds its footing most consistently. There's something about watching two friends turn competitive over a guy that taps into real human behavior, even if the execution here leans more toward broad comedy than subtle observation. The supporting cast—Kal Penn, Rob Corddry—provide moments of levity, though the film never quite trusts them enough to let them steal scenes. Instead, it keeps circling back to the central dynamic: two women, one guy, a ticking clock before they have to get back on a plane. It's a premise with real comedic potential, and while The Layover doesn't fully capitalize on that potential, there are flashes where you can see what Macy was going for.
Where to Stream The Layover Online
The Layover is currently available on Prime Video, making it accessible to anyone with an Amazon subscription. If you're browsing for something light and romantic with a competitive edge, it's worth adding to your queue. Movie OTT's streaming aggregator keeps tabs on where this title lives across platforms, so if you want to know the most up-to-date availability, check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page—it'll show you every service currently carrying the film, plus whether it's included with your subscription or available to rent or purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who directed The Layover?
William H. Macy, known for his acting roles in Fargo and Shameless, directed The Layover. It was his directorial effort for this 2017 romantic comedy.
Q: Where can I watch The Layover?
The Layover is available on Prime Video. You can check the "Where to Watch" widget on this page for current availability and pricing information across all platforms.
Q: What's the runtime of The Layover?
The film runs 88 minutes, making it a relatively brisk romantic comedy that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Q: Is The Layover based on a true story?
No, The Layover is an original screenplay written by David Hornsby and Lance Krall, not based on real events or source material.
Q: What's the plot of The Layover?
Two best friends—played by Kate Upton and Alexandra Daddario—become rivals when their flight is rerouted to St. Louis due to a hurricane warning, and they both develop feelings for the same charming stranger during their unexpected layover.
Final Thoughts on The Layover: Who Should Watch
Look—The Layover isn't going to change your life, and it's not going to become your favorite comedy. But if you're in the mood for something low-stakes, romantic, and occasionally funny, it's a harmless way to spend 88 minutes. The cast cares about what they're doing, even when the material doesn't quite match their effort. It's the kind of film that works better as a background watch while you're doing something else than as something you sit down to fully absorb. If you're a fan of romantic comedies or airport-adventure stories, you might find enough here to justify a streaming session.
