Audrey (Ashley Park) and Lolo (Sherry Cola) have been best friends since they were the only Asian children in White Hills, Seattle. Their careers diverge as they grow up, Audrey becomes a successful lawyer, while Lolo becomes struggling artist whose work explores themes of sexuality and identity.

Audrey is assigned to close a deal in China because her boss believes she can speak Chinese. Although she was adopted by an American couple and barely understands Chinese, she is determined to succeed. If she can seal the deal, she will be promoted to partner and transferred to headquarters in Los Angeles.

Audrey brings her best friend Lolo along as her professional translator, and Lolo’s cousin Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), who is obsessed with K-pop music. In China, they visit the set of the famous television show “The Emperor’s Daughter,” where Audrey’s former college roommate Kat (Stephanie Hsu) is now the lead actress.

That evening, Audrey and her friends meet Chao (Ronny Chieng), the Chinese businessman she is supposed to close the deal with. Before signing the contract, Chao insists on knowing about Audrey’s Chinese family. Lolo attempts to rescue Audrey from an awkward situation by lying to Chao. One thing led to another, and Chao agrees to sign the contract at his mother’s 70th birthday party, but only if Audrey came to the party with her birth mother. So, they all must embark on a journey to find Audrey’s mother and bring her to Chao’s party.

The first half of the film is enjoyable, particularly the train scene with the American drug dealer. However, the script goes downhill from there, becoming absurdly unrealistic and inconsistent in its overall theme. The film begins to feel like a series of comedic bits and pieces, with several scenes that seem to be out of place. These scenes are likely included in an attempt to impress the audience with drama and predictable heartfelt dialogue. The final twist, which reveals Audrey’s heartwrenching origin, only serves to make the film even weirder rather than better.

JOY RIDE premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW) on 17 March 2023, before its theatrical release in the United States on 7 July by Lionsgate Films.