The Wrong Paris Review: A Twist You Won't See Coming

The Wrong Paris, released on 12th September, is a 2025 Hollywood romantic comedy with a fresh but quirky twist. It’s currently showing on Netflix; it was executively produced by Miranda Cosgrove, who many of us grew up watching on Nickelodeon. The film is directed by Janeen Damian, with a story written by Nicole Henrich. From its announcement, it carried the air of a feel-good romcom, but with a title that already hints at confusion and surprise, you know it won’t be a straightforward love story.

Running at about 117 minutes, The Wrong Paris is lighthearted yet layered, set in places that feel familiar and strange at the same time. At its center is Dawn, played by Miranda Cosgrove, whose love for art pushes her into unexpected choices. The movie features a cast filled with familiar faces like Pierson Fode, Madison Pettis, Yvonne Orji, and Christin Park. Together, they bring humor, tension, and a touch of vulnerability to the screen.

The Wrong Paris is more than its romantic comedy label. It’s about mistaken expectations, chasing dreams, and learning that sometimes the wrong place might still lead to the right story.

Premise

The movie begins with Dawn, a farm girl who has spent her life tucked away in her barn creating art. Art is her escape, her dream, and her identity. She dreams of studying at the prestigious D’Academie of Art in Paris. When an acceptance letter arrives, it feels like the culmination of years of waiting. But reality hits when she learns that tuition and accommodation are not covered. Dawn has saved up, but most of her savings went to treat her grandmother Birdie’s medical needs. What she has left is barely enough for a one-way flight ticket.

Her sister Emily introduces another possibility: a reality TV dating show called The Honeypot. Twenty contestants compete either for a quarter of a million dollars or a chance at love with the show’s bachelor. Dawn is not remotely interested in such things, but when she learns the show is filming in Paris, temptation strikes. Not only would she get a free flight, but also an appearance fee that could help cover her tuition. For Dawn, this isn’t about love or fame. It’s about finding a backdoor into Paris.

After auditions, she makes it into the show. But her Paris isn’t the Paris of her dreams. Instead of being whisked off to France, Dawn and the other contestants find themselves in Paris, Texas. It’s a trick by the show’s producers to spark chaos and drama. Dawn is furious. She never signed up for this kind of deception.

Rachel, the host of the show, notices her frustration. In a private conversation, Dawn reveals the real reason she came. Rachel warns her that leaving the show would break her contract and cost her everything. The only way out is if the bachelor himself eliminates her. But then comes another twist: the bachelor, Trey McAllen III, is someone Dawn has already met nights ago at a bar, a cowboy she stumbled upon before the cameras ever rolled.

What follows is a mix of romantic comedy tropes turned upside down. Dawn wants out, Trey wants her to stay, and the show’s producers are keen to keep the drama brewing. Instead of running away, Dawn decides to stay just long enough to collect winnings from smaller competitions on the show, hoping to scrape together both her tuition and accommodation fee. But emotions complicate everything. Trey’s feelings for Dawn grow stronger, and against her own plans, Dawn starts to care for him too.

The Wrong Paris puts together romance and comedy with the structure of a reality show. The tension is not just whether Dawn will win Trey’s heart, but if she’ll choose love over her lifelong dream.

Cast and Performances

Miranda Cosgrove as Dawn

Miranda Cosgrove plays Dawn with a quiet stubbornness. At first glance, it’s hard not to see the Nickelodeon star we’ve known for years. She still carries some of that same innocence from her Carly days, which makes her transition into a struggling farm girl less convincing at times. While she sells Dawn’s frustration and awkward humor, her lack of accent or farm-girl grit makes her feel a little out of place. Still, she carries the film with charm, even when the role feels too big for her shoulders.

Yvonne Orji as Rachel

Yvonne Orji brings balance to the chaos as Rachel, the host of The Honeypot. She is calm, witty, and well put together, the kind of character who holds the story strong when it threatens to fall apart. Her warmth toward Dawn softens the harsher sides of the reality show setting. She feels like that dependable supporting character you remember long after the film ends. Yvonne’s presence alone makes scenes glow brighter.

Madison Pettis as Lexie

Madison Pettis does incredibly well as Lexie, the influencer who becomes Dawn’s rival. Her role injects sharpness and edge into the story. She’s the stereotypical mean girl but played with such conviction that you can’t help but enjoy disliking her. Madison knows how to command attention in every frame. Her rivalry with Dawn raises the stakes and adds fire to the otherwise predictable setup.

Torrance Coombs as Carl

Torrance Coombs embodies Carl, the calculating producer of The Honeypot reality TV show. He is the chaos behind the curtain, always scheming for drama that boosts ratings. His character mixes manipulation and charm, and Torrance plays him so naturally it feels like he isn’t acting. Without him, the show-within-the-film would lack its tension.

Pierson Fode as Trey

Pierson Fode takes on Trey McAllen III, the bachelor at the heart of it all. Handsome, wealthy, and surprisingly grounded, Trey could have easily been another forgettable romcom male lead. Usually, males who play hot boy roles usually end up falling flat and feeling cringe, they mostly expect their looks to compensate for their inadequacy. Instead, Pierson adds sincerity that makes Trey more than eye candy. His chemistry with Miranda is uneven at first but builds as the story unfolds. He is the heartthrob who actually earns his place.

What I Liked

The Wrong Paris works because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The entire reality show backdrop is ridiculous, yet the film leans into that absurdity. The way it mixes behind-the-scenes glimpses of cameras, producers, and contestants with personal drama makes it lively. It felt like a movie within a show, and that double-layer gave me something extra to enjoy.

I also appreciated the film’s setting. From wide Texas ranch landscapes to Paris-themed set pieces, the movie looks beautiful. The horses, barns, and barbecue scenes carried authenticity, while the costumes and lighting added a dreamy feel.

And then there’s the casting. Even if not all performances were equally strong, the chemistry among the actors was engaging. Seeing veteran actors alongside rising stars made the story feel bigger. Minor actors, often overlooked, were given small but memorable moments to shine.

What I Didn’t Like

Not everything landed as it should. Some performances felt flat, especially in moments that required deeper emotion. Miranda, though charming, sometimes fell back into her Nickelodeon rhythm instead of fully embodying Dawn.

The pacing also wavered. While some scenes flew by with energy, others dragged, leaving me wishing the story had trimmed its excess. At times, it felt like the film wasn’t sure whether it wanted to be a parody of reality TV or a heartfelt romance.

Still, these flaws didn’t make it unwatchable. They simply reminded me that even fun movies can stumble on the little things.

Verdict

The Wrong Paris is not a perfect film, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s charming, ridiculous, romantic, and self-aware all at once. It tells a story about chasing dreams and finding unexpected love in the strangest of places, just like Prime’s The Map That Leads To You, but with a happier ending. If it had a little more polish, it could have been a romcom classic.

I’d recommend watching it with family or friends on a weekend night when you’re looking for something lighthearted but not entirely brainless. It entertains, makes you laugh, and leaves you with just enough warmth to forgive its flaws.

My Rating

The Wrong Paris earns a gentle but fair 3.5 out of 5.

Our Rating

With a fair rating like this, do you think The Wrong Paris could have done better? What do you think it missed?

Author

Amarachi Ndukwe

Amarachi Ndukwe is a talented movie reviewer who knows how to make films easy to understand and fun to discuss. She shares her thoughts in a clear and engaging way, helping her readers see what makes each movie special. With a great eye for detail, she explains stories, themes, and characters in a way that anyone can enjoy.