12 months ago, Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg came up with an extremely ambitious idea for a new film. They had previously teamed up to create This is the End and Neighbors, but last year they co-directed and produced arguably the most controversial film of 2014: The Interview. After much debate over whether the movie would or should be shown in theaters, and after threats and hacks from overseas, the film eventually had a limited release.

A brief plot summary of the movie: Dave Skylark (James Franco) does very well as the host of a tabloid talk show, while his producer (Rogen) looks for ways to make the show more journalism-based. An opportunity presents itself when it’s revealed that Kim Jong-un is a fan of Skylark’s show and is granting an interview with the personality in North Korea. The CIA discovers this, and contacts the two Americans to devise a plan that would result in the political figure’s assassination.

Overall, the film presents a unique irony, with Rogen playing the more serious character when it comes to journalistic integrity. However, Franco has proven in previous films that he can succeed in both comedic and dramatic roles, especially in previous films with Rogen when it comes to comedy. The actor who first came to prominence on the big screen as Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy also received credit for his performances in Milk and 127 Hours, among other movies. Lately, he’s seemed to appear in light-hearted films more often, and while some of those turned out to be flops, this role does not turn out to be the case.

Ultimately, those who appreciate Rogen’s style of humor will likely enjoy The Interview, while the jokes will fall flat for those who don’t. Journalists can relate to the battle in today’s culture portrayed in the film to distinguish legitimate news from tabloid gossip. It’s a film that is not entirely a departure from past Rogen movies, but sets itself apart in its own way.