Drew Starkey Is a Charming Romantic Lead in ‘The Other Zoey’
What Is ‘The Other Zoey’ About?
Zoey Miller, a college junior, doesn’t believe in love. She’s working on an app that matches people based on compatibility and similar interests. When soccer star Zach MacLaren accidentally hits Zoey with a soccer ball, he runs over to apologize. The following day, Zach shows up at the bookstore where Zoey works and orders a book but accidentally leaves his credit card behind. He takes off on his bike, and Zoey chases him down to give it back, but just as she catches his attention, a car reverses into him and throws him off his bike, knocking him unconscious. As Zach starts to come to, he hears Zoey say her name, and he confuses her with his girlfriend, who is also named Zoey and looks somewhat like her.
What Is ‘The Other Zoey’ About?
Zach asks Zoey to accompany him to the hospital, where she meets his parents, who invite her over for dinner to get to know their son’s new girlfriend. Zach is diagnosed with amnesia, and just as Zoey is getting ready to come clean about her identity, the doctor advises her not to say anything that will upset Zach, as it may worsen his condition. Worried the truth might scramble his brain even further, Zoey pretends to be Zach’s girlfriend and agrees to tag along on his family ski vacation after getting to know his cousin Miles (Archie Renaux), with whom she is far more compatible. When she finds out Miles has a girlfriend, her idea of romantic compatibility is tested as she bonds with Zach, who couldn’t be more different.
Drew Starkey Is a Charming Romantic Lead in ‘The Other Zoey’
The Other Zoey is hardly the next great rom-com of the 2020s, but Langford and Starkey make a solid romantic duo, and Starkey is easily the standout performance. Comparing The Other Zoey to While You Were Sleeping, another amnesia-based rom-com the film clearly draws from, Langford and Starkey’s chemistry may not be as strong as that of Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman, but Starkey is effortlessly charming as Zach, the soccer player with a sensitive side. Overly jaded about love and romance, Zoey initially writes him off as a dumb athlete and is much more drawn to Miles, his more intellectual cousin, who is much more compatible with her on paper. But after her connection with Miles falls apart, she decides to give Zach a chance and starts developing feelings for him.
The Other Zoey
Zoey keeps her distance from Zach throughout most of the trip because of her preconceived notions about him, her compatibility with Miles, and the fact that Zach already has a girlfriend, but once they spend the day alone together, Zach seems like the obvious choice, thanks in large part to Starkey’s performance. In contrast with Archie Renaux, who plays Miles, Starkey makes a far more compelling love interest. Given the film’s wacky premise, Starkey isn’t taking himself too seriously and brings undeniable charisma and a strong screen presence that’s often hard to find in male romantic leads these days. He’s light on his feet with great comedic timing, and the sensitivity he brings to a pretty one-dimensional role makes him one of the most entertaining parts of such a standard rom-com.
Conclusion
The Other Zoey is available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S.
FAQs
Q: What is the release date of The Other Zoey?
A: November 10, 2023
Q: Who directed The Other Zoey?
A: Sara Zandieh
Q: What is the runtime of The Other Zoey?
A: 91 minutes
Q: Where can I watch The Other Zoey?
A: Available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S.