Of all the difficult topics that you’d rarely find in the context of comedy, suicide is at or near the top of the list. It’s nearly impossible to find the light side of something that is the result of extreme mental anguish, and which causes much harm and guilt to those who knew and loved the person who died by suicide.
That’s what makes the balance found by director/star Jerrod Carmichael in On the Count of Three so remarkable. The film opens with friends Kevin (Christopher Abbott) and Val (Carmichael) pointing guns at each other’s heads in a dual murder/suicide moment, a scene so dark that it would seem impossible for there to be any humor in the film at all.
And yet Carmichael, working from a script by Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch, manages to do just that. The film jumps back in time to Kevin in a mental health facility after an earlier suicide attempt. Val sneaks Kevin out of the facility, and they decide to give themselves a one-day reprieve to wrap up loose ends. With the knowledge they won’t be around the next day, they each engage in behavior that they’d never considered before.
To be clear, the film is not a straight-up comedy. Any funny moments that arise come because of the type of bond that Kevin and Val are shown to have. Through the dialogue between the two and some knowing looks they exchange, the depth of their friendship becomes quickly apparent. And because they are so close, the fact that neither can see any other solution to their individual problems is especially gut-wrenching.
Carmichael calls upon a variety of actors normally known for their comedic work, including Tiffany Haddish, JB Smoove, Henry Winkler, and Lavell Crawford, to play dramatic supporting roles, a canny move that pays dividends. In addition to giving Val’s life some needed extra dimensions, it offers the actors opportunities they don’t often get, and each one of them takes full advantage of that opportunity.
Still, the film’s subject matter makes for some tough viewing, and by the end of the film it’s not clear that the filmmakers have a full handle on the message they want to impart. The choices the two characters make along the way are ones that should make anyone pause, especially since they’re not presented as mere “entertainment.” The mental health crisis in the United States is an epidemic, and the commentary this film is making on that feels only skin deep.
Paired with his recent Netflix special, Rothaniel, and hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live, this film looks to be part of a reinvention for Carmichael. He’s obviously going for more than just laughs in his new work, and even if the message is slightly muddled, his talent behind the camera and on screen is evident. Abbott is also compelling, offering up a character that’s at odds with some of his other roles.
On the Count of Three neither glamorizes nor condemns the idea of suicide. While the fact that the events take place over just one day constrains the film’s message, the depiction of the friendship between Kevin and Val makes the film eminently watchable, even if it’s through your fingers.
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On the Count of Three opened in Austin at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar on May 13. It is also available for rental at home via digital outlets.
Christopher Abbott and Jerrod Carmichael in On the Count of Three.
After winning Saturday’s sprint race, Max Verstappen qualified for pole position and would go on to win the 2025 USGP on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso headed toward turn 11 on Sunday. The Spanish legend qualified for P10, finishing in the same position and earning a single point.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Austin, Texas mural wall along the Main Grandstand was a favorite spot for photos.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The grand plaza lake and "Welcome to Texas" sign are easily the biggest targets for a selfie.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Ferrari driver Charles LeClerc makes his way to the garage before Saturday morning’s Sprint Race. The Frenchman currently sits at 5th place in the driver standings.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Despite losing his seat with Red Bull this season, Mexican hero Checo Perez was still represented around the track. Good news for Checo fans, though: he returns to the track next season with his new team, Cadillac.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Race day brings out the stars in the paddock and it wouldn’t be an Austin event without the omnipresent Matthew McConaughey, who visited several of the team suites on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Unlike Saturday’s sprint, which saw several crashes, turn one went without incident as Max Verstappen maintained his lead and Lando Norris gave up P2 to the charging Ferrari of Charles LeClerc.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Is it even a US F1 race if the Ferrari Pope isn’t there? The famous Ferrari fan was brought onstage at the Champions Club on Friday by Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Circuit of the Americas' newest roller coaster, Circuit Breaker, was in demo mode this weekend. Riders got to preview the attraction months before COTALand opens sometime in 2026.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
British legend Lewis Hamilton made his first appearance at COTA in the unfamiliar red of Ferrari, after switching over from Mercedes after 12 years and seven world championships.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
With the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders away this year, the Houston Texans, who were on a bye week, sent theirs two hours west to help celebrate the pre-race festivities on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Mercedes driver George Russell waves to the fans in the Main Grandstand before embarking on the one-lap drivers’ parade.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Ukrainian model and Stake Sauber guest Mariia Lavrukhina was seen in the paddock on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Attendees who were looking for something to do to kill time between racing events on Saturday were treated to exciting Lucha Libra matches.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Lance Stroll's Aston Martin car was damaged after the Canadian driver crashed into Haas driver Esteban Ocon during Saturday’s sprint race.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
First-year Williams Racing driver Carlos Sainz biked back to the team suite with girlfriend Rebecca Donaldson by his side. The Spanish driver lost his seat at Ferrari last year to Lewis Hamilton.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Cowboy boots and \hats were all the rage this year.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Lando Norris entertained some VIPs at the team’s suite shortly before the race on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Dutch Royal Air Force provided the pre-race flyover prior set to the national anthem on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore share a few friendly words before Saturday’s sprint race. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Turn 1 Grandstand was full of Ferrari red and McLaren orange.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The calm before the storm looking up the turn one hill. The climb in elevation is 305 feet, the same as the height of the Statue of Liberty from feet to torch.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The pit wall personnel proudly supported their nationality with a glistening Mexican flag.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The entire 2025 USGP grid finishing lap one and beginning lap two.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Network writer Amber Heckler captures a shot of Max Verstappen standing atop his Red Bull car after winning the 2025 USGP.Photo by Amber Heckler
The crowd rushed the podium for the trophy presentation, fighting for the best viewing position.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Verstappen’s Red Bull and his degraded soft tires, which the team put on after his sole pit stop. The Dutch driver started the race on mediums, like most of the drivers on the grid.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Charles LeClerc finished the race in first, second, and third respectively. The traditional podium celebration saw the top three drivers and the winning driver’s engineer spraying Moet on each other. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
That’s a wrap on the 2025 USGP in Austin, Texas. F1 and COTA announced an extension on Friday that will keep the race in town until at least 2036. See you next year!Photo by Daniel Cavazos