Will Ferrell Stars as Down-and-Out Salesman in ‘Everything Must Go’

LOS ANGELES, CA — Will Ferrell takes on a more serious role in the new film “Everything Must Go,” directed by Dan Rush. The movie, inspired by Raymond Carver‘s short story, showcases Ferrell as Nick Halsey, a salesman struggling with alcoholism who finds himself living on his front lawn.

Nick, once a successful regional vice president at his company, faces a life-altering crisis. Fired from his job, he returns home to discover his wife has changed the locks and thrown his belongings outside. To make matters worse, she freezes their bank account and cancels his phone, leaving him homeless and alone.

As Nick becomes a fixture on his former lawn, the film explores his descent into despair while attempting to find humor in dark moments. Despite his vices, a glimmer of hope appears when an old high school friend, played by Laura Dern, reminds him that he has a good heart.

The movie also introduces new characters that impact Nick’s life, including his pregnant neighbor, Samantha (Rebecca Hall), and a young boy named Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace). Kenny seeks Nick’s mentorship in both baseball and sales, adding a layer of complexity to Nick’s character.

Despite the potential for a nuanced depiction of addiction and recovery, critics note the film falls short. While Ferrell’s performance effectively captures Nick’s emotional turmoil, they argue the overall execution feels lackluster and fails to engage the audience. Supporting characters like Detective Garcia (Michael Peña) and Delilah (Dern) are seen as underdeveloped, contributing to the film’s uneven pacing.

<p"Everything Must Go" offers a mix of comedy and drama, aiming to tackle serious themes related to alcoholism. However, the consensus suggests that the film's ambition does not materialize, leaving viewers wanting more from its narrative.