Don’t Kill the Messenger welcomes writer and director Nick Stoller.

In the entertainment world, few filmmakers have mastered the art of crafting comedies that resonate with audiences quite like Nick Stoller. From hits like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, and Neighbors to his highly anticipated upcoming film You’re Cordially Invited, Stoller’s movies strike the perfect balance between gut-busting laughter and heartfelt storytelling.

In a recent episode of the “Don’t Kill the Messenger” podcast, Stoller sat down with host Kevin Goetz to discuss his creative process, his journey in Hollywood, and the invaluable role audience research plays in shaping his work.

Stoller’s love for comedy writing took root at a young age, as he recounted being inspired by humorists like Dave Barry growing up in Florida. “I started to like, rip off his writing style and just writing my own Dave Barry-esque articles,” Stoller shared.

His passion only grew stronger at Harvard, where he was a part of the iconic Harvard Lampoon. “I was obsessed with comedy writing,” he admitted. “I always knew who the writers were. I don’t know how.”

While Stoller’s comedies are renowned for their ability to make audiences double over with laughter, he is equally committed to infusing his stories with genuine emotional depth and resonance.

“I mean, my goal for almost all my movies is to make people cry more than laugh.”

This balance is exemplified in You’re Cordially Invited, which Stoller described as “almost Shakespearean in its like mix-ups” while still maintaining a strong emotional core about “being honest with your family” and the complexities of aging.

Nick offers insightful advice on cutting scenes and prioritizing the overall story arc over individual jokes, even highly comedic ones, if they undermine character development or audience engagement.

“There’s a joke in the most recent movie that we that just tested, this Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon movie called Cordially Invited, that kind of hurt the character. And it’s one of my favorite jokes I’ve ever written but it kind of hurt the character. And so, I cut it, I just cut it. And I mean, jokes are free. It’s the story that you want to make sure is working.”

By blending his distinct comedic voice with insights from audience research and the brilliant talents of his casts, Nick Stoller has cemented his place as one of the most gifted comedy filmmakers of his generation. As he gears up for the release of Cordially Invited, audiences can expect another master class in finding the laughter and heart in the human experience.

For the full conversation, check out the podcast episode here. And let us know your thoughts on Nick Stoller and his movies in the comments!

Don’t Kill the Messenger, hosted by movie and entertainment research expert Kevin Goetz, brings his book Audienceology to life. This bi-monthly podcast takes a peek behind the filmmaking curtain as Kevin talks with famous filmmakers, studio executives, stars, and other creatives about movies, filmmaking, audience test screenings, and much more.