The Big Sick (2017)

The Big Sick follows Pakistan-born stand-up comic Kumail Nanjiani as he navigates life in Chicago: late-night open mics, driving for Uber to make ends meet, and placating immigrant parents who expect him to accept arranged marriages. When he meets grad student Emily Gardner after a show, an initially casual connection becomes a serious relationship—and Kumail’s secret life (he’s stopped practicing Islam and has been lying about studying for the LSAT) and his fear of being disowned collide with his growing love for her. Their romance is suddenly upended when Emily falls gravely ill and is placed in a medically induced coma. Kumail must then juggle hospital vigils, awkward but sincere encounters with Emily’s worried parents, and the pressure from his own family to follow tradition. The crisis forces him to confront who he is, what he truly believes, and whether he can stand up to cultural expectations for the woman he loves. What you’ll experience: a warm, witty, and emotionally rich dramedy that blends sharp stand-up humor with heartbreaking, real-life stakes. Expect laugh-out-loud moments from the comedy scenes and painfully honest family clashes, alongside tense, tender hospital scenes that build to an affecting emotional payoff. The film balances culture-clash comedy with genuine poignancy, leaving you both amused and moved by its exploration of love, identity, and family.

Actors: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter

Director: Michael Showalter

Runtime: 120 min

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

6.5 /10 86 /100 7.5 /10 7.5 /10