Review: Netflix's 'Best of the Best' is an Enjoyable Dance Comedy That Doesn't Rely On Nostalgia

There are so many movies vying for attention every week, but Netflix’s latest, Best of the Best, should instantly make it to the top of your viewing list. Inspired by Bollywood dancing and collegiate competitions, the film, directed by Lena Khan from a screenplay by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam, is a good mix of humor, a fun atmosphere and characters with depth. As someone who loves films like Bring It On and Pitch Perfect, Best of the Best has a similar spirit, but it’s thankfully not breaking its back trying to be nostalgic.

Maya (Never Have I Ever’s Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Anjali (Priyanka Kedia) have been best friends since childhood, but after a high school dance routine ends badly, Maya decides not to dance anymore. That is, until the pair gets to UCLA and joins a highly competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team. Maya wants to help them win first place, in part to erase the horrid nickname and humiliation that came with the viral dance video from high school, while Anjali tries to balance dance and academia at risk of her mother pulling her out of university altogether. Suffice it to say that they each get more than they bargained for, including insight into who they are and their perception of one another.

Best of the Best isn’t a film that cuts corners. There are so many movies made for streaming that are either completely forgettable or play out like they know viewers won’t really be focused on watching. Khan’s film holds our attention from the start and maintains its momentum. The characters are endearing, but they’re also allowed to make mistakes and learn from them.

Maya and Anjali are relatable; they’re messy, yet their actions, though sometimes hurtful, don’t come from a place of malice. Their friendship is not sanitized, and it’s actually refreshing to watch a complex relationship play out between two young women onscreen. Maya and Anjali are super close but their friendship isn’t without its issues, deep-rooted and previously untouched until triggered by their time with the dance team. The film’s conclusion is justified thanks to the time given to the characters’ personal development.

Best of the Best also shines because of its cultural specificity. While there may not be anything entirely unfamiliar about its plot (and that’s ok, familiarity is fine if it’s a well-told story), its jokes, references, and character relationships are tied to and enriched by South Asian culture. The humor is also great, witty and smart in a way comedies could use more of these days. The dance choreography, however, is hit or miss. It’s great at times, engaging and sharp, while underwhelming at others. Bollywood certainly plays a factor here, but the dancing is disappointingly more fusion and some of the choices made for the team’s final performance prevented it from being a complete showstopper.

But these instances don’t strip the film of its joy and complexities. Best of the Best is full of good quips, layered relationships, and memorable moments. It draws from the best of the dance film genre while having its own personality. Ramakrishnan is consistently fantastic, perfectly capturing Maya’s vulnerability, protectiveness, and headstrong attitude. Kedia is also a standout, portraying Anjali’s softness without leaning into naivete. Chaneil Kular as Arjun, Maya’s love interest who surprisingly doesn’t use any social media, is sweet and funny, complementing Maya well. Meanwhile, Minhaj, who plays Hamza Latif, the South Asian Student Association’s reluctant faculty advisor, nails the awkwardness of a professor having to keep the peace amidst the students’ (often petty) conflicts.

With a strong cast, a well-paced story, high energy, and good jokes, Best of the Best makes for an engaging and highly enjoyable watch. It’s endearing and doesn’t take itself too seriously, all while knowing exactly what it’s going for. With an infectious spirit and well-thought-out characters, this dance comedy is low-stakes fun.

Best of the Best is now playing on Netflix.