“The Wrong Paris” Finds Love in the Most Unexpected Place

Finding true love in romantic comedies may be overdone, but The Wrong Paris revisits the familiar trope with a twist. The film leans on relatable characters and reality show chaos to deliver a light-hearted, feel-good story that blends humour and emotional sincerity.

Set in a small Texas town, The Wrong Paris follows Dawn (Miranda Cosgrove), a waiter and aspiring artist who dreams of studying art in Paris, France. Living with her grandmother and two sisters, Dawn faces financial hurdles, especially as her grandmother’s medical bills pile up. When her sister suggests auditioning for a reality dating show, Honey Pot, as a quick way to earn money, Dawn reluctantly agrees.

She joins the show under the impression that filming will take place in Paris, France, only to discover the location is actually Paris, Texas. Determined to leave, she tries to get eliminated but ends up connecting with the show’s bachelor, Trey McAllen (Pierson Fode), a wealthy cowboy whose easy charm begins to soften her cynicism.

Trey fits the archetype of the modern rom-com hero; confident, handsome, and seemingly perfect. Dawn, in contrast, is grounded, witty, and struggling to make ends meet. Despite their differences, their relationship grows naturally on screen, balancing the show’s predictable setup with moments of genuine chemistry.

Written by Nicole Henrich, The Wrong Paris blends sweetness and light drama, staying true to the feel-good formula that defines Janeen Damian’s previous work. Damian, whose filmography includes Irish Wish (2024), Falling for Christmas (2022), and Christmas Waltz (2020), once again crafts a world where love, timing, and chance collide. Her direction leans heavily on the strength of her leads, using their warmth and banter to sustain interest even when the script flirts with cliché.

Cosgrove brings sincerity to Dawn’s character, grounding her in a mix of awkward humour and determination. Fode’s performance as Trey balances charisma with a touch of vulnerability, making their on-screen pairing believable. Yvonne Orji also stands out as Rachel, offering steady comic relief and adding spark to several slower scenes.

The film’s production design complements its tone; colourful, lively, and picturesque enough to maintain its fantasy element. While there are occasional camera flares and minor editing flaws, these do little to detract from the overall visual appeal. The pacing remains even, allowing emotional beats to land without dragging the narrative.

The film’s core premise — Dawn trying to use a reality show for personal gain only to be misled herself, adds a layer of irony that keeps the story interesting. It’s a clever reversal of expectations that breathes some freshness into an otherwise familiar setup. Through funny moments, small-town charm, and a few emotional twists, The Wrong Paris manages to hold viewers’ attention from start to finish.

Though it doesn’t reinvent the genre, the film succeeds in what it sets out to do: deliver a comforting, escapist romantic comedy. Its characters feel real enough to root for, and its story never loses sight of its emotional core.

The Wrong Paris may play it safe, but it delivers warmth, humour, and heart, and sometimes, that’s all a rom-com needs.

Release Date: September 12, 2025
Runtime: 107 minutes
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Director: Janeen Damian
Cast: Miranda Cosgrove, Pierson Fode, Madison Pettis, Frances Fisher, Yvonne Orji, Hannah Stocking, Naika Toussaint, Christin Park, Madeleine Arthur, Veronica Long, Emilija Baranac, Ava Bianchi.