The Best Part of the Rom-Com TV Show ‘Laid’ Sneaks Up on You

Rom-coms have rightfully earned their place in cinema history. It’s easy for audiences to get lost in the hopeful romances, happy endings, and charming escapism. As comforting as these movies were, there was a moment when the genre fell out of love with the general public. However, there is no denying it — rom-coms are back. Movies like Anyone but You, The Idea of You, and Upgraded, have led the charge but one of the most underrated romances stories of the past decade is hiding on the small screen, and it stars Stephanie Hsu. 

Laid sees Hsu’s character, Ruby, searching for “the one,” and while finding your forever person is hard enough, Ruby has it just a little bit harder. As it turns out, everyone Ruby has ever slept with is dying — one by one. So even if Ruby finds the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with, that life might be short-lived. Talk about love in a hopeless place.

‘Laid’ Is an Innovative Addition to the Genre

Image Credit: Peacock

Upon discovering that all her exes are dying in the order in she slept with them, Ruby resolves to warn them that their lives are in danger and well, that goes as well as you imagine. The series satisfies the morbidity in us as we watch the various and creative ways in which her former partners meet their end. With the chaos of it all, now isn’t the best time to meet someone. Yet, it’s exactly when Ruby meets Isaac (Tommy Martinez) who seems absolutely perfect for her.

In an era of short attention spans and even shorter season orders, any TV show that wants to impress audiences needs to offer something a little unexpected. A remake of a 2011 Australian series of the same name, 2024’s Laid does just that. Not only does the series have a unique hook, romantic speeches, and the feel good auras of your favorite rom-coms, Laid also has a charming lead who makes you want to root for her even when she’s making all the wrong choices. Though Ruby repeatedly says she wants to find true love and settle down, viewers watch as she, time and time again, self-sabotages and pushes away those close to her — intentionally or not. Still, we hope she gets her happy ending.

What’s a Rom-Com Without a Love Triangle?

When it comes to matters of the heart, things are never straightforward. So when Ruby meets Isaac, it comes as no surprise that they can’t immediately get together. For one thing, Isaac has a girlfriend, Merci (Olivia Holt) who’s perfect on paper. Then there’s Richie (Michael Angarano), Ruby’s sex loophole, the only one of her exes who the death curse – or sex hex, if you will – skipped over. Richie earns a place in Ruby’s life, as they try to figure out why he is the only one to survive. Maybe figuring out will allow Ruby to finally be with Isaac. But as Ruby and Richie get closer, it becomes apparent that Isaac might not be the only one who is perfect for her.

In their own ways, both Isaac and Richie truly understand and they accept her as she is – with no illusions or rose colored glasses. They understand that while Ruby is not perfect, is selfish, and more than a little messy, she genuinely wants to be a good person, and this places both love interests on equal footing. As is common in rom-coms, there’s the love interest that is obviously terrible for our lead, and the other who is just right. But with Laid, both men couldn’t be more different from one another, but they both love Ruby the same – as she deserves to be loved. This emotional complexity makes the love triangle all the more captivating. 

The Romantic Speeches Are the Best Part of ‘Laid’

Laid has alot going for it – a lead you can’t help but root for, a love triangle that isn’t tired, all-star guest stars, and compelling characters beyond Stephanie Hsu’s Ruby. Zosia Mamet’s AJ, Andre Hyland’s Zack, and Ryan Pinkston’s Brad all bring something memorable to the series. Which is why it is extremely impressive that the romantic speeches stand out as the best part of Laid.

In the penultimate episode of the first season, both Richie and Isaac declare their feelings for Ruby. Well, Isaac does, Richie’s moment was interrupted with Isaac’s arrival; however, that doesn’t make it any less impactful. He tells Ruby that despite everything that has happened, Ruby is deserving of love – something she very much needs to hear. But it’s not what he says, it’s how he says it. Their conversation is laced with the quippy banter that is ever flowing between the two, as they go back and forth, unable to stop bickering. It’s a charming moment you can’t help but smile at. With his eyes fixed on hers, he’s said everything he needed to without saying it at all. And just as he’s about to tell Ruby how he really feels, Isaac arrives with a speech of his own. His speech is a quick reminder of how well-suited he is for Ruby. Not only does he know Ruby, warts and all, but they are both on the exact same frequency, and he is willing to risk his life to just be with her. 

It’s the well-built romantic triangle that makes this moment truly feel palpable. It is easy to believe that Ruby is at an impasse, unable to make a choice. The depth of this scene would not have worked as well as it did if the chemistry between the three wasn’t electric. Perhaps one of the best speeches also comes when Ruby and her best friend, AJ, reconcile after a falling out earlier in the series, proving platonic speeches can be just as impactful as the romantic ones. And honestly, nothing says rom-coms are back as much as a cheesy speech that genuinely tugs at your heartstrings. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why these films and shows are so beloved in the first place.

It’s a shame Laid never got the attention it truly deserved. With the success of Nobody Want This only a few months earlier, it would have been reasonable to expect the same recognition for Laid. It’s ability to capture the messiness, surrealism, and vulnerability of love makes it perfect for an era where genuine human connection is as coveted as a winning lottery ticket. 

For a dose of charming, complicated, and unconventional romance, Laid is currently streaming on Peacock.