The Epic Sci-Fi Comedy You Can't Afford to Miss: Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson Steal the Show!

Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson, known for their roles in the comedy anthology-series Easy, actually appeared together in a lesser-known indie sci-fi film in 2012 called Safety Not Guaranteed. Directed by Colin Trevorrow, the film follows a group of journalists on the hunt for a time traveler. Safety Not Guaranteed offers a refreshing and amusing twist on the familiar theme of time-travel, making it a must-watch for fans of the sci-fi genre. Both Plaza and Johnson deliver exceptional performances in the film, garnering widespread praise. Trevorrow's comedic approach to the sci-fi genre, influenced by real-life oddities, adds to its unique and heartwarming appeal.

What Is Safety Not Guaranteed About?

Jake Johnson’s character, Jeff Schwensen, is a journalist working at Seattle Magazine. The film centers around an exploration of a peculiar newspaper ad that reads: "Seeking someone to accompany me on a journey back in time. This is serious. P.O. Box 91 Ocean View, WA 99393. Payment will be given upon return. Must bring your own weapons. I have only attempted this once before. Safety not guaranteed."

To locate the author of this peculiar ad, Jeff assembles a group of interns to accompany him to Ocean View. He selects Aubrey Plaza’s character, Darius Britt, to assist him in his investigation. However, as the mystery unravels, it becomes clear that Darius is more deeply entangled in this endeavor than Jeff, as he holds ulterior motives for his trip to Ocean View. Despite a runtime of just over 80 minutes, Safety Not Guaranteed is a thrilling adventure. It ingeniously combines elements of time travel and comedy, making it a must-see for sci-fi enthusiasts looking for a unique experience.

The movie's concept was actually derived from a real-world occurrence. Back in 1997, an advertisement published in Backwoods Home Magazine served as an exact source of inspiration for the film. The ad read as follows:

"Seeking: A companion to embark on a journey back in time. This is not a jest. P.O. Box 322 Oakview, CA 93022. Compensation will be provided upon our return. Applicants are expected to bring their own weaponry. Please note that safety cannot be guaranteed. I have only attempted this feat on one previous occasion."

What Does Safety Not Guaranteed Score on Rotten Tomatoes?

Despite being initially intended as a joke by the Magazine's Senior Editor, the advertisement garnered an overwhelming response, attaining the status of a cultural phenomenon. Numerous talk shows dedicated discussions to this advertisement, which eventually earned the moniker 'Safety Not Guaranteed' due to its offbeat and comedic nature. It was this very advertisement that sparked Colin Trevorrow's imagination, inspiring him to transform it into a feature film. Once released, 'Safety Not Guaranteed' achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.

Safety Not Guaranteed boasts an outstanding 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a solid 80% audience score. Over a decade has passed since the film's premiere, yet it continues to garner an influx of positive reviews from viewers who are just now uncovering its brilliance.

Alongside Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson, the film also features Mark Duplass, Karan Soni, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Kristen Bell. Safety Not Guaranteed has been highly acclaimed for its exceptional cast, all of whom have received praise for their outstanding performances. In true April Ludgate fashion, Plaza impeccably delivers her signature deadpan style, while Johnson effortlessly excels in his well-known comedic delivery. Despite now being established Hollywood stars, it is intriguing to witness both of them starring in this offbeat sci-fi comedy back in 2012, particularly since it marked Plaza's debut leading role in a film. Hopefully, the continued popularity of the movie will open doors for Plaza and Johnson to collaborate on more projects together in the future.

What Are Aubrey Plaza’s Other Roles?

Aubrey Plaza gained popularity for her portrayal of the deadpan intern April Ludgate in the sitcom Parks and Recreation, which aired from 2009 to 2015. Her comedic performance in this role received widespread acclaim and contributed to her widespread recognition.

Plaza gained recognition for her portrayal of Julie Powers in the beloved comedy Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Fans will be delighted to know that she will be reprising her role in the upcoming animated series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, set to premiere on Netflix next month. Additionally, Plaza's appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has generated much anticipation. She is slated to star in the highly awaited miniseries, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries.

Furthermore, Plaza has earned acclaim for her recent performance in the second season of the esteemed dark-comedy drama, The White Lotus. Her portrayal of Harper Spiller garnered widespread acclaim and earned her nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Plaza has not only excelled in her acting career, but she has also taken on the role of producer in several movies. Noteworthy titles include the 2017 black comedy The Little Hours and the gripping thriller Ingrid Goes West. Plaza's name is synonymous with success, evident in her impressive filmography. To further solidify her influence, Time Magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world this year.

What Are Jake Johnson’s Other Roles?

Jake Johnson gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the endearing Nick Miller in the long-running sitcom New Girl, which aired from 2011 to 2018. His performance in this beloved comedy series solidified his status as a talented actor in the realm of comedy and turned him into a familiar face across the entertainment industry.

Johnson became a cast member of the renowned animated series Bojack Horseman in 2015. In the show, he provided the voice for Oxnard, a regular character who is constantly pulled away from his family to assist with Todd and Mr. Peanutbutter's absurd business ventures. That same year, Johnson made an appearance in the film Jurassic World as Lowery Cruthers, a dedicated employee at the Jurassic World amusement park.

One of Johnson's notable roles is in the highly acclaimed animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He voiced the character Peter B. Parker, one of the many versions of Spider-Man and a reluctant mentor to Miles Morales. Much to the delight of fans, Johnson returned to portray Spider-Man once again in the film's 2023 sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. While it has yet to be officially confirmed, fans are hopeful that Johnson will also appear in the second part of Across the Spider-Verse, titled Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is currently in post-production. Despite being established actors now, it is interesting to observe Johnson and Plaza's early careers as they starred together in Safety Not Guaranteed.