‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ Trailer: Cooper Raiff’s Charming Sophomore Dramedy With Dakota Johnson Hits Apple TV+ On June 17

Is Cooper Raiff the Millenial Richard Linklater? It’s a little too early to tell (and no one is anyone’s anything when it comes to those kinds of comparisons), but Raiff is without a doubt a filmmaker to watch. If his debut “Shithouse” winning the Best Narrative Feature prize at SXSW 2020 didn’t get people’s attention, his latest film’s Audience Award at Sundance this year certainly did.  

READ MORE: ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ Review: Cooper Raiff Gets The Party Started In His Super-Charming, Bittersweet Sophomore Drama [Sundance]

Now, it’s time for that film to hit the public, courtesy of Apple TV+. “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” Raiff’s sophomore effort, stars him and Dakota Johnson as a pair who strike up an unlikely friendship. What’s the catch? Well, he’s a Bar Mitzvah party host, and she’s a single mom with a teenage daughter. Ensue another affable and earnest narrative from Mr. Riaff.

Beyond Raiff and Johnson, “Cha Cha Real Smooth” also stars Leslie Mann, Brad Garrett, Raúl Castillo, Odeya Rush, and Kelly O’Sullivan.  Vanessa Burghardt, Evan Assante, Colton Osorio, and Liam Jones round out the main cast.

Critics loved “Cha Cha Real Smooth” at Sundance. Our review boosts the film as an “affable, heart-on-its-sleeve winner” with a vibe reminiscent of Michael Showalter‘s 2017 film, “The Big Sick.” Johnson and Raiff’s chemistry is also apparently off the charts in this one, so fans of bittersweet romance, you’ve been warned.

What’s next for Cooper Raiff? He’s attached to a couple of things at the moment: a biopic about mobster James Galante, and an adaptation for TV of Naoise Dolan‘s novel “Exciting Times” for Amazon Prime.

Is Cooper Raiff one of the next big American cinematic talents? It’s entirely possible. “Cha Cha Real Smooth” hits Apple TV+ on June 17. Watch the trailer below.