Why ‘Please Don’t Destroy’ is the Surprise Comedy Hit You Need to Watch Now!

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2023’s underappreciated and overlooked improv comedy movie “Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain” has been rediscovered, gaining popularity on the streaming platform Peacock. Directed by Paul Briganti, a veteran of Saturday Night Live, and produced by Judd Apatow, the film features the SNL sketch-comedy group Please Don’t Destroy, with actors and writers Martin Herily, John Higgins, and Ben Marshall in leading roles. The movie is currently ranked ninth on Peacock’s Top 10 streaming chart.

The Treasure of Foggy Mountain” is essentially an expanded version of the trio’s comedic skits. The narrative unfolds around three old friends who attempt to reconnect by embarking on a journey to find a treasure they had sought as kids.

The official plot reads:

PLEASE DON’T DESTROY: THE TREASURE OF FOGGY MOUNTAIN”: John Goodman guides us through the thrilling tale of Ben, Martin, and John – once inseparable childhood friends now stuck as colleagues – as they navigate encounters with hairless bears, persistently pushy park rangers (portrayed by Meg Stalter and X Mayo), and a duplicitous cult leader (Bowen Yang) in their quest for a valuable treasure. However, they soon realize that the real challenge lies not in finding the treasure, but in the trials and tribulations they face along their journey.

Notable personalities such as Conan O’Brien, Goodman, and Gaten Matarazzo from Stranger Things make an appearance in the movie, each playing their own roles.

The movie first premiered on Peacock on November 17, 2023, and at Rotten Tomatoes, it’s been given a dismal 42% rating by critics. However, audiences have given it a scorching 90%. On IMDb, it has an average score of 6 out of 10. Brian Tallerico awarded the film 2.5 out of 4 stars and commented that “there’s a hilarious short film hidden within—definitely longer than their SNL sketches, but not quite full-length feature.”

MovieWeb’s Olly Dyche enjoyed the film, writing:

[The movie] is a delightfully funny tale revolving around three companions aiming to strengthen their bond. The camaraderie among the actors and their spot-on comic delivery ensure every story or humorous remark lands effectively… The rhythm flows smoothly, and gags follow swiftly, making “The Treasure of Foggy Mountain” one of the top comedies this year.

Who is Please Don’t Destroy?

Please Don’t Destroy was established in 2017 by friends Herily, Higgins, and Marshall while studying at NYU. The group’s name is derived from a play titled “Please Don’t Destroy My Farm“. They have showcased their skits across the country and participated in the New York Comedy Festival in 2018.

Despite being relatively unknown prior to the pandemic, the comedy skits and videos by Please Don’t Destroy gained immense popularity on TikTok and Twitter during Covid-19. By autumn of 2021, they were recruited as writers for Saturday Night Live’s 47th season. Their Hard Seltzer skit in October was a viral sensation, leading to a weekly video creation role for SNL. One more significant achievement was the Please Don’t Destroy: Three Sad Virgins rap video featuring Pete Davidson and Taylor Swift.

Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain is currently streaming on Peacock.

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2025-01-21 22:33