"Falling Review" :KJ Apa leads bro code romance flick

Directing/writing duo James and Colin Krisel explore dating and the bro code from a fresh perspective in “Falling,” produced by Brainstorm Media.

Jack, played by KJ Apa, is a quick-witted, commitment-phobic ladies’ man. He finds himself in a love triangle when he falls for Jillian, portrayed by Isabel May, unaware that his best friend Johnny, played by Archie Renaux, also has feelings for her.

Using the bro code as a narrative backdrop in cinema is nothing new, especially in the romantic comedy genre. The key is to approach it from a unique angle so the story doesn’t feel too familiar. In this case, the Krisels follow the traditional formula. Apa adds depth to Jack, ensuring he doesn’t come off as smug. The script avoids painting him as an outright player; rather, he just hasn’t met the right person yet.

Johnny, on the other hand, is depicted as an old-school romantic, but the script avoids making him a simp or overly shy. He has an active love life, but when love strikes, it can feel like a bullseye.

This perspective works for Jillian, as both men see different qualities in her and pursue her for different reasons. Isabel May doesn’t portray Jillian as a sex pot but instead as a modern woman who knows what she wants and has her own share of personall issues.

“Falling” is dialogue-driven, so viewers expecting a lot of jokes might be disappointed. The film gains momentum in the third act, when a situation threatens the bond between the leads and forces both men to confront what truly matters: their best friend or a woman.

A subplot involving Johnny and the mother of his child doesn’t really work and feels more tacked on than anything. The script doesn’t have a baby-mama-drama-type villain, but it feels like it was tacked on in a script rewrite. Now, I will give some credit to how it’s resolved and the karma Johnny gets, but I wish it had been fleshed out a bit more.

Unlike many films in this genre, I was genuinely uncertain about where the story would lead, and it was enjoyable to hear KJ Apa showcase his natural accent. While I may not revisit the film, I did enjoy it as a one-time watch.

Final Grade: B-

“Falling” opens in select theaters on October 9, 2026, and is available on VOD on November 10, 2026.