The Rewatchables: ‘The Nice Guys’

Hosts: Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Rob Mahoney, Craig
Date: March 24, 2026
Film Discussed: The Nice Guys (2016)

Episode Overview

In this lively installment of The Rewatchables, Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Rob Mahoney, and Craig dive into Shane Black's 1970s-set black comedy The Nice Guys. The crew unpacks why this “instant cult classic” is so endlessly rewatchable, what makes its blend of buddy-comedy and noir unique, and laments that a sequel never materialized. With a focus on the film’s standout performances (especially Ryan Gosling’s comedic chops and Russell Crowe’s career-shifting turn), the hosts reminisce about 1970s L.A., analyze Shane Black's screenwriting style, and highlight the film's most memorable lines and scenes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why The Nice Guys Is a Rewatchable Cult Classic

• Cult status trajectory: Released in 2016, the film quickly became a cult favorite, showing up repeatedly on cable and streaming platforms despite underperforming at the box office.
  • “It was destined to become a beloved cult movie but tried to be a hit, but then it wasn’t… and then it became exactly what it was supposed to be.” — Rob Mahoney [02:00]
• Perfect rewatchability: The film’s rapid-fire dialogue, quotable lines, and physical comedy make it work whether you're fully engaged or just listening from another room.
  • “It’s a perfect rewatchable… the line deliveries are so great… if you’re just walking around doing chores, you're cackling from the next room.” — Bill Simmons [03:45]

2. The Shane Black Formula and 1970s Nostalgia

• Recipe for success: Black’s films often feature wisecracking buddy duos, seamless action set pieces, and cynical—but heartfelt—storylines.
  • “He is really, really, really maybe the best ever at the buddy movie… just wisecracks, action, and good set pieces.” — Chris Ryan [23:42]
• Love for the ‘70s: The setting is described as a fundamental “secret sauce,” referencing other successful movies set during the era (Boogie Nights, Almost Famous, Zodiac).
  • “Why is it so fun to go back to the ‘70s? The cars are cool. It’s fun to smoke. Ladies looked great…” — Chris Ryan [04:40]

3. Ryan Gosling & Russell Crowe: Chemistry and Career Impact

• Gosling’s comedic breakthrough: The hosts argue that this film unlocked new possibilities for Gosling, paving the way for his comedic work in Barbie and SNL.
  • “He’s so fucking funny… I bet every dollar in my pocket, Ken does not happen without this movie. This is him going full buffoon.” — Bill Simmons [12:08]
• Crowe’s rejuvenation: Despite being a “hard 51” at the time, Crowe’s gruff-yet-principled Healy is “phenomenal” and essential to the film’s heart.
  • “This movie doesn’t work without his, like, counterweight to everything…he is the beating heart that, like, rounds out the whole movie.” — Bill Simmons [21:21 & 55:53]
  • Great chemistry with Gosling — “I really like that he was able to find chemistry with another actor [besides Caruso and Proof of Life].” — Rob Mahoney [18:43]

4. The Dialogue-Heavy, Gag-Laden Script

• Memorable lines: The script is considered “as Shane Black as it gets” with most humor arising from dialogue, line readings, and reaction shots.
  • “This is a great dialogue movie. This is a great memorable lines movie.” — Chris Ryan [03:07]
• Physical comedy: Many laugh-out-loud moments come from Gosling’s physical performance, like the bathroom stall gag and high-pitched screams.
  • “Maybe the best moment…is him with his pants down in a bathroom stall, trying to kick the door open and hold it…it requires you to be willing to embarrass yourself in a kind of way.” — Bill Simmons [14:10]

5. Celebrating Supporting Players and Bit Characters

• Scene-stealing moments: The hosts single out the “big dick kid on the bike” and the surreality of the LA porn party.
  • “Every time. $20. Fucking Chet. When Chet, the guy, his life and his life's work–really makes you think. Not really, Chet.” — Chris Ryan [30:08]
• Ensemble praise: Angourie Rice’s performance as Holly is lauded as a “tremendous little kid performance,” and Margaret Qualley’s later stardom gets noted.
  • “I’m gonna give Rice the Sasha Jenkins award for the actor you can’t believe didn’t become a bigger star just from this movie.” — Rob Mahoney [20:43]

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “It's the closest thing we've got to Midnight Run this century.”
  — Chris Ryan [03:07]

• (On LA in ‘70s films) “This movie is so cool for exactly those reasons. Even though, like, everyone in it is aggressively uncool, like it shouldn’t be…but because of the era, it just works.”
  — Bill Simmons [05:05]

• “He's fucking funny. He is so funny, and he's funny in La La Land…I mean, he's maybe not funny in Blade Runner, but he is able to do comedy.”
  — Chris Ryan [11:06]

• “Comedy is the biggest risk of any genre you can take…all the other young, great actors right now…none of them are really taking a risk with comedy.”
  — Craig [15:13]

• “Of all the characters for some of these movies…we left for Red October. Nice. Maybe October. Maybe we just don’t do it in October. Who knows?”
  — Rob Mahoney closing out [85:29–end]

Structured Breakdown with Timestamps

The Movie’s Place in the Rewatchables Pantheon

• [02:00–03:45]: Discussion of The Nice Guys’ journey from near-flop to cult sensation and its rare combination of dialogue, physical comedy, and perennial "cable movie" status.
• [05:16–06:53]: Why 1970s settings have enduring appeal: nostalgia, cars, party scenes, and cultural context.

Performances, Chemistry, and Career Impact

• [09:17–14:35]: Detailed breakdown of Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe’s chemistry, the rarity of Gosling’s comedic turn, and Crowe’s post-Oscar trajectory; the risks and rewards of A-listers doing comedy.
• [16:10–18:53]: The Shane Black effect on both their performances and careers.

Dialogue, Structure, and Shane Black’s Screenwriting

• [23:31–24:18]: Shane Black as a top-five screenwriter, master of “buddy movies,” and the “million-dollar spec” phenomenon.
• [25:06–32:56]: Most rewatchable scenes, from the outrageous opening to the porn party set piece; the “big dick kid” scene; and memorable comedic gags.

Celebrating the 1970s and Old School LA

• [33:21–34:04]: The most "1977" things in the movie: gas crisis, killer bees, John Boy villain, electric razors in cars, and a roaming sense of LA’s geography.
• [34:35–35:51]: The unique niche filled by R-rated action comedies in the 2010s; a genre in decline but exemplified by The Nice Guys.

Awards & Category Riffs

• [39:05–40:06]: Downey Jr. cameo (“Sid Shattuck” dead body), surprise Easter egg for film nerds.
• [51:58–53:00]: Hans Gruber villain scale, overacting award, best death of a bystander.
• [54:06–56:21]: Hottest take—this should have become a franchise; the tragedy of Angry Birds stealing its thunder.

Unanswerable Questions & Nitpicks

• [66:02–70:16]: Picking nits: why are there so few cops, can a 13-year-old drive a '70s car, miraculous surviving of big falls, and the cigarette-in-water continuity error.

Who Won the Movie?

• [74:48–82:17]: Universal consensus: Ryan Gosling, with big assists for Shane Black’s script and the overall supporting cast.
• [81:06–81:49]: The Nice Guys celebrated as “the best comedy of the last 10 years;” Craig’s all-timer.

Notable Rewatchable Scenes

• Opening Credits and Car Crash (LA flyover and “Misty Mountains” reveal) [27:09–28:22]
• “Big Dick Kid” Scene (“I offered to show you… because I got a big dick.”) [29:42–30:14]
• Porn Party Chaos (Gosling’s physical gags, upside-down mermaids, party lines) [31:03–31:32]
• Bathroom Stall Scream & Cookie Jar Bit (Gosling’s physical comedy setpiece) [28:45–29:30]
• Elevator Scene/Hitler Jokes [31:48–32:10]
• Nixon Story (“So what’s the point?” “There’s two ways to look at something…”) [32:25–32:30]

Awards & Inside-Jokes

• Best Character Name: Misty Mountains, John Boy
• Amanda Dobbins Real Estate Award: Sid Shattuck’s house (Atlanta home of Dallas Austin, seen on MTV Cribs) [44:43]
• Kid Cudi Award (Needle Drop): “Get Down On It”, “Horse With No Name”, “September”, Al Green closing credits [45:02–45:20]
• Best Quote/Flex: Gosling at the protest—“Which one of you cock and balls…” [45:26]
• Butch’s Girlfriend Weak Link: Kim Basinger’s performance “a little off register,” ideas for recasting discussed [47:07–49:44]

Unanswerable Questions

• How long did the Nice Guys Agency last before March lost custody and Healy’s heart gave out? [77:26]
• Did the plot-line porn film ever actually change anything? [82:26]
• Why didn’t more sequels follow, especially now that Gosling is a mega-star? [54:06–55:12]

Conclusion: Why We Can’t Stop Rewatching

The hosts agree The Nice Guys is “an all-timer”—the rare buddy-cop comedy finding gold in both its dialogue and its action. Gosling’s comedic timing and Crowe’s world-weary counterpart elevate Black’s cynical heart, and the world-building both skewers and pays tribute to 1970s L.A.

“Everybody I’ve watched it with likes it. It’s just universally beloved. Fuck Angry Birds.” — Craig [82:06]

For First-Time Listeners

You don’t have to be a Nice Guys superfan to enjoy this episode—the hosts break down its charms, its 1970s context, why comedy is harder than it looks, and the enduring magic of two perfect leads. For fans and newcomers alike, this is a riotously fun discussion of a modern cult classic.

Quick Reference: Notable Timestamps

• 02:00 — Movie’s cult status and cable/streaming “stickiness”
• 11:06 — Gosling’s comedic breakthrough & versatility
• 14:10 — Physical comedy and humility in star roles
• 27:09 — Opening iconic LA scene
• 29:42 — “Big Dick Kid” and quotable one-liners
• 31:03 — Porn party set piece
• 54:06 — The “Tragedy” of no sequel and hottest takes
• 74:48 — Who won the movie

Next week: LA Confidential (not on Netflix; check Amazon Prime). Meanwhile, revisit the archives for more Rewatchables gems—and watch out for that big dick kid.