The Bubble Is Netflix’s Latest Star-Studded Movie

Judd Apatow’s latest film The Bubble is a meta-comedy set during the pre-vaccine days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The story follows a group of fictional filmmakers — played by very real stars — who travel to the UK to film the sixth sequel of “Cliff Beasts,” a successful, Jurassic Park-like franchise.

The cast and crew of Cliff Beasts 6 are confined to their opulent hotel in the English countryside and are forced to abide by strict quarantine and social distancing rules. As cabin fever ensues, so do the shenanigans.

Karen Gillan stars as Carol, an actor who hopes that Cliff Beasts 6 will save her foundering career. “In her head she’s the only normal one when clearly she’s also a pain in the ass, but less than most of the others,” Apatow said in notes to press.

Fred Armisen plays Cliff Beasts 6 director Darren Eigan — a character who skewers the recent trend of indie filmmakers brought on to direct blockbusters. Initially “very sweet,” Darren later “turns into a giant assh*le,” Apatow said.

As Cliff Beasts’ well-meaning producer, Gavin (Peter Serafinowicz) tries to maintain order, even as pandemonium ensues. “[I]n a lot of ways, the movie’s about him,” Apatow said, “a producer trying to deal with getting a movie shot during the pandemic.”

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’s Maria Bakalova stars as the sympathetic Annika, one of the hotel’s front desk clerks. “[S]he does a thing in the movie that is somewhat shocking, which is — even in our silly movie — she makes you care about her so much,” Apatow said.

David Duchovny and Leslie Mann play Dustin Mulray and Lauren Van Chance, respectively. The two began dating after working on the franchise’s previous films, but have recently split — at least for a bit. “The chemistry between them was hysterical,” Apatow said.

As TikTok star Krystal Kris, Iris Apatow — yes, that’s Mann and Apatow’s daughter — plays a character who’s forced into the film as a marketing tactic. Apatow said Iris was heavily involved in creating Krystal’s personality: “She really developed the character.”

Pedro Pascal plays Oscar winning-actor Dieter Bravo — definitely the horniest member of the Cliff Beasts cast. “He’s really not into being there and gets lonely and bored very fast and just starts trying to find somebody to sleep with him or do drugs with him,” Apatow said.

Keegan-Michael Key plays Sean Knox, an actor who’s in touch with his spiritual side. One of The Bubble’s running gags is Sean’s book, which may or may not be a manifesto for a new cult. Per Apatow, Sean shows the dangers of actors who have “way too much free time on their hands.”

Harry Trevaldwyn plays Gunther, a kind (if a little dramatic) COVID compliance officer. Apatow says the Instagram star-turned-film actor “stole every single scene he was in ... For someone who had only acted with his phone, it was weird that he was that comfortable.”