Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss by Passing Through the Gateway Chosen by the Holy Storsh

The key to happiness might not be found in a dirty old bathtub in Los Angeles, but 7 Stages is still guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

But more often than not, Seven Stages simply fails to navigate the turn from freaky to funny.

The outlandishness proffered by this comedy is of such a strident sort that any possible laughs quickly turn to eye-rolling groans.

It's a morbid concept but so ridiculous, particularly in the film's final act, it works

A fresh breath of comedy air. It's kooky, zany, wears its heart on its sleeve, and has Taika Waititi as a cult leader - what more do you need to know?

This is an example of squandered potential disappearing in a haze of indulgent nonsense. Taika Waititi with a guitar and a beard can save a lot of things, but it couldn't save this one.

Considering the comedic talents of Micucci, Waititi and Harmon, it's baffling as to why they were involved in Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss and why they didn't have anything better to do.

A film with a great idea on paper that never truly comes to fruition, starting off silly but slowly rolling off the tracks before getting completely lost by the end.

Perhaps the lure of the Storsh may be mystifying even as Paul and Claire start to succumb to it themselves, but the draw of Seven Stages is quite strong.

In any case, "Seven Stages..." is a bonkers, bat shit insane movie, but a funny one. If you're in the mood to experiment with an unconventional, sometimes loony comedy, I recommend it.