Nate Skoog and his best friend Will are two cool, chronically under-challenged dudes who drift between the local rec center and the Elk’s Lodge, logging hours of bingo among Tapawingo’s most seasoned party animals. The crowd is old but wild, and the beer is plentiful. When they are not hanging loose, they train for what, exactly, is unclear. It could be saving nuns from rogue contras, storming off-grid rebel encampments, or rescuing orphans from the Red Army Tiger Force. Whatever the mission, they will be ready. Until then, their de facto headquarters is the Tapawingo Regional Library.
Destiny finally arrives — in the form of a school pickup.
Available on Digital December 2, 2025
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Have you ever watched a movie packed with a cast of quirky characters who take themselves way too seriously? This riotous ride is filled with unexpected slapstick moments and bumbling antics that will keep you chuckling. The brilliance of creating such oddball characters lies in their warm sincerity; it’s easy to get lost in their charm—even when they’re tripping over their own feet!
What makes this type of comedy stand out is its unique blend of hilarity and heart. Despite the characters’ ridiculous situations, you can’t help but root for them! The cast’s superb acting skills bring a sense of warmth that makes you believe in their often outrageous goals. You’ll laugh out loud, while also feeling that tug in your heart when they finally get their act together—or don’t, but hey, it’s the journey that counts!
Now, I have to confess: the best part of this crazy film isn’t just the laughs. No, my favorite part of the movie was its soundtrack! The selection of music perfectly complemented the shenanigans on screen, turning simple scenes into memorable sequences. A well-placed tune can elevate even the most ordinary antics into feel-good gold. This movie will lift your spirits and make you laugh.
Director’s Statement
By Dylan K. Narang
I wanted to make a movie I would genuinely enjoy watching — something fun, warm, comedic, and sincere. At the time we began Tapawingo, that kind of film wasn’t often being made, which became my motivation. I wanted a comedy with heart, and if possible, themes that meant something more profound to me.
Tapawingo captures a bittersweet moment in life: the transition between what is familiar and what comes next. It is the emotional space of a final summer before everything changes. You are about to take a big step forward, yet leaving behind the comfort of the world you know. That is the feeling I wanted the movie to carry.
How the Story Came Back Around
The script first came to my production company in 2010 or 2011. Interns loved it. I read it several times, but it didn’t connect the way I needed it to. Still, something about it stayed with me. Every few years — 2014, 2016, 2018 — I returned to it and imagined what the film could be if told with a specific visual and emotional approach.
Eventually, I contacted the writer, Brad DeMarea, directly. By sheer coincidence, he responded that it was his last day at his job, that his email was being shut down, and that he had just accepted a new position at the University of Virginia — my alma mater — in the same town where I was visiting family, including my daughter at UVA. We met, and Brad immediately said, “I think you should make it.” He agreed to let me rewrite the script, which changed everything.
DIRECTED BY
Dylan K. Narang
WRITTEN BY
Brad DeMarea & Dylan K. Narang
STARRING
Jon Heder, Jay Pichardo, Kim Matula, Sawyer Williams, George Psarras, Paul Psarras, Amanda Bearse, John Ratzenberger, with Gina Gershon and Billy Zane
Title: Tapawingo
Genre: Comedy
Production Years: 2021–2023
Country: USA
Language: English
Runtime: 1h48m
