The first red-band trailer for Idiots—featuring Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr.—has arrived, offering a glimpse into a chaotic, no-holds-barred road comedy where a routine job quickly spirals into total madness.
The film, backed by IFC Films, is slated to hit theaters on August 28.
Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr. take on the roles of Mark and Davis, two small-time operators tasked with what seems like an easy gig—escorting a wealthy teenager to rehab. But things quickly go left when the teen, Sheridan, played by Mason Thames, turns the job into a major problem.
The trailer leans fully into the chaos, showing how a simple assignment quickly spirals into something far more dangerous as the trio gets caught up in one wild situation after another.
The cast also features Kiernan Shipka, Nicholas Braun, and Peter Dinklage.
The film originally premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival under a completely different title: The Shtheads*. Director Macon Blair shared that he got locked into the original name early on. “I got attached to it and became unable to move away from it, so it just stuck,” he told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month.
Franco also admitted the team wasn’t in a rush to change it. “We’ve been waiting for someone along the way to tell us that we can’t do it,” he said. “But now we’re here. It’s out there. You can’t change it now.”
The switch to Idiots points to a wider theatrical strategy, but the core idea remains the same—two completely unprepared guys trying to handle a situation that keeps getting more out of control.
Macon Blair, who also directed The Toxic Avenger remake, brings his signature blend of offbeat humor and sharp edge to the film. Early Sundance reactions hinted at a story that keeps pushing further, mixing wild, reckless comedy with moments that feel surprisingly grounded beneath all the chaos.
Idiots is set to open the 50th Atlanta Film Festival on April 23 ahead of its nationwide release.
