Madea’s Destination Wedding: Another Lazy Film from Perry.
Hard work is always something to admire, and Tyler Perry might be one of the hardest-working people in Hollywood. That said, his efforts don’t always translate into quality films—but credit where it’s due. Perry returns with another installment in the Madea Cinematic Universe, and this time, the family heads to the Bahamas for Madea’s grandniece’s wedding.
I’ve come to accept that Perry’s movies aren’t made for me—and honestly, I’m not sure who they’re for—but they clearly resonate with someone out there. Like many of his previous films, this one is lazily written, filled with outdated humor, and loaded with negative Black stereotypes. I really tried to enjoy it for what it is—a lighthearted comedy—but in the end, it’s just another poorly made film from someone who’s capable of much better.
Let’s get into it.
The film follows Brian Simmons and his family as his daughter, Tiffany, suddenly gets engaged to her partner, Zavier, with plans to marry within two weeks. I’m not well-versed in the Madea universe or its characters, but this feels like just another box on Tyler Perry’s to-do list. There’s nothing fresh or inspired here—no sign of passion behind the project. The only real change is the Bahamas setting, but aside from a few establishing shots, it looks and feels like every other film in the series.
It’s a baffling creative choice. Perry and his team had the perfect chance to showcase the beauty of the island—its beaches, nature, people, and culture—but instead, most scenes take place indoors, in hotel rooms and lobbies. It all feels lazy and bare minimum, as he knows that his audience would watch whatever slop he puts on their TV screens.
One of the most frustrating things about Tyler Perry’s work is the writing. This film has very little character development—sure, the groom gets a bit of an arc, but it feels shoehorned in and barely earned. There’s also no real emotional weight, and the comedic timing is all over the place. One moment, the family’s having a serious discussion, and the next, we’re back to silly, over the top discussions filled with jokes like someone hit a sitcom switch. The tonal whiplash is real.
As I mentioned in my review of Straw, Perry has major influence in the Black community. But instead of putting real effort into telling meaningful or well-crafted stories, like what we’ve seen from creators like Ryan Coogler or the team behind Judas and the Black Messiah, he continues to settle for mediocrity. The stories don’t have to be empowering; they just need depth, strong acting, and a level of technical quality that shows care. He could tell stories about villains, criminals, or everyday folks, and still make them layered and engaging. But instead, we get more of the same.
At this point, I genuinely hope Perry brings in a team of strong writers and directors to help bring his ideas to life. There’s no reason his movies should still feel like budget stage plays after all these years.
All in all, I know Tyler Perry will probably never change, and honestly, why would he? He’s filling a demand, taking care of his circle, and consistently giving work to Black actors and crews. In that sense, I respect the hustle. But as long as audiences keep showing up, whether out of loyalty, habit, or comfort, there’s no real incentive for him to raise the bar. We accept the slop because it’s familiar, it’s easy, and sometimes it’s just background noise we don’t have to think too hard about. I want to believe Perry means well in what he creates, but until viewers demand more, he’ll keep serving up the same low-effort films, and Netflix will keep picking them up.
Madea’s Destination Wedding is now streaming on Netflix.
