Tired of the same old romantic comedy formula? Dinner in America blows it all up with a Molotov cocktail of punk rock, awkward chemistry and emotional chaos. Forget the candlelit dinners and grand airport chases. This under-the-radar cult hit delivers a romance that’s jagged, messy, loud — and all the better for it.
At its core, Dinner in America is about two misfits who collide in suburbia and stumble into something that looks a lot like love (if love came with band posters and burned cereal). The film thrives on its raw, unapologetic energy, with every moment underscored by a gritty soundtrack that doesn’t just set the tone, it is the tone. Leading the charge is “Watermelon,” a DIY punk anthem created by the movie’s unlikely couple, Simon and Patty. It’s a can’t-miss hit that you’ll never stop thinking about.
If you’re over glossy love stories and want something real, offbeat and brimming with heart, this is the anti-rom-com you’ve been waiting for. Dinner in America doesn’t just make you believe in unconventional love, it makes you want to shout it from a garage rooftop with an amp cranked to 11.
The song is infectious, hypnotic and has been used in thousands of videos, from aesthetic edits to funny or dramatic montages. And if it’s got you curious, that’s a good thing. This movie is the antidote to the typical rom-com — it’s a misfit-centric flick that you’ll appreciate no matter your tastes.
In fact, Dinner in America is the flick that should be on your watch list for Valentine’s Day, whether you’re watching with a partner, BFF or going it alone. It’s a film that thrives on chaos, energy and unapologetic individuality. It’s one of the few romantic movies out there that captures the defiant spirit of punk rock while allowing for those mushy, gushy moments perfect for the most lovey-dovey day of the year.
Directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier, Dinner in America is an anarchic love story disguised as a coming-of-age film. It follows Simon (played by Kyle Gallner from Smile), a pyromaniac masked rocker, and Patty (played by Emily Skeggs), a socially awkward misfit who finds solace in music. Their unlikely romance unfolds during a journey through the Midwest, as they challenge authority and find a sense of belonging in each other.
Simon has a bad habit of starting fires wherever he goes.
Despite rave reviews from critics and a successful festival run, Dinner in America didn’t quite break through to the mainstream when it debuted in 2020. But thanks to its soundtrack going viral and the continued appreciation for indie movies, more people are discovering the absolutely heart-melting romantic overtones at the heart of it.
Beyond the music, the movie is all about its leads. Simon isn’t your typical brooding love interest. He’s aggressive, brash and seemingly incapable of compassion. Patty, on the other hand, is naive but resilient, an outcast who initially seems like she’s just a side character in Simon’s world. Yet, as they crash through suburban backyards, run from cops and form an unexpected musical partnership, their relationship becomes something raw and beautifully real.
The kicker? You probably know someone just like them. And they may have faded into the background for you. Here, they’re alive and in screaming color, just like their love story.
Patty and Simon’s oddball relationship leads to wild shenanigans.
The chemistry between Gallner and Skeggs is electric in a way that’s rarely captured on screen, and that’s part of what makes Dinner in America feel so believable. Patty doesn’t just idolize Simon as the frontman of her favorite band (which she doesn’t know at first). She sees a vulnerable and kind man who’s slowly becoming her real friend and eventual boyfriend.
Simon, despite his anger at the world, recognizes Patty’s potential and encourages her to embrace her voice, not her “weirdness,” and not the awkwardness she displays to the world. Before he knows it, he’s completely smitten with her.
Dinner in America isn’t the first time an indie movie has found a second life through social media. We’ve seen films like Jennifer’s Body and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World gain cult status years after their release, thanks to online fandoms rediscovering their brilliance. Sometimes, the best films just need time (and a killer song) to find their audience.
There’s something undeniably special about Dinner in America. It’s unpredictable, loud and bursting with heart. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t just tell a story; it makes you feel something visceral. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider, if you’ve ever been drawn to music as a form of self-expression or if you just like movies that break the mold, this one’s for you.
Dinner in America is currently streaming free on Hulu and available to rent on Apple TV or Prime Video. The cult love story proves chemistry doesn’t care about social norms.
