Random Encounters

Random Encounters
British DVD poster
Directed byBoris Undorf
Screenplay byNate Barlow
Produced by
  • Diane Clemenhagen
  • Shirley Kimble
Starring
CinematographyDaniel Applegate
Music byEmir Isilay
Distributed by
Release date
  • December 1, 2013 (2013-12-01)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Random Encounters (British title A Random Encounter) is a 2013 American romantic-comedy film directed by Boris Undorf, written by Nate Barlow and starring Michael Rady, Meghan Markle, and Abby Wathen. The film was initially released on digital platforms in the United States December 1, 2013, and was rereleased in the United Kingdom under its new title on DVD and digital platforms May 7, 2018.[1]

Plot

Living in Los Angeles, Laura is a down-on-her-luck actress whose love life is faring no better and Kevin is an up-and-coming screenwriter trapped in a dead-end relationship with ditzy Cyndy.

After a particularly awful audition, Laura stops in a coffee shop to wait for a friend, and accidentally spills her drink over Kevin. She apologizes profusely, and they have a moment, but Kevin has to rush out to a big pitch meeting.

Laura's roommate and best friend, party girl Mindy, tries to help Laura with her love life, also to no avail. After a few days, both Kevin and Laura's thoughts drift towards each other.

Cast

Controversy

Upon the announcement of Meghan Markle's engagement to Prince Harry, the film garnered an influx of attention and a DVD rerelease was scheduled to coincide with the royal wedding.[2] New trailers focused heavily on Meghan Markle,[3] who was presented as having the leading role, ”snaring” her Prince Charming,[4] the British tabloids at the time making much of her dresses and one ”racy” scene.[5] Commentary on her role would continue long after the wedding[6][7][8][9][10][11]

Controversy was later stirred with the release of the Netflix 2024 TikTok cult documentary series Dancing for the Devil. Several shots and a contract for the film appear in the series' second episode due to cult leader Robert Shinn having executive produced the film.[12][13]

Reception

Jason Palmer wrote: ”A dual perspective, A Random Encounter is a he-said, she-said, romantic comedy”.[14] Later reception, however, was genreally very mixed, James Croot of Stuff finding the film embarrassing,[15] and Vogue describing it as a ”kind of a fun little rom-com (in a still-fairly-terrible way)”.[16] The German website TV Today described it as ”A drawn-out love story with Prince Harry's wife in a curious supporting role.”[17]

References

  1. ^ "Meghan Markle's Forgotten Rom Com is Coming Out in the UK". Intomore.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "10 Movies and Shows You Forgot Meghan Markle Was In, Including 'Deal or No Deal' and '90210'". InStyle. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  3. ^ "Meghan Markle movie to be released days before she marries Prince Harry". HELLO!. May 1, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  4. ^ Lindsay, Kathryn. "Rereleasing Meghan Markle's Old Rom-Coms Is The Thirstiest Move". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  5. ^ Coast. "Meghan's raunchy rom-com". Coast. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  6. ^ "Beyond 'Suits': Meghan Markle's most memorable performances". EW.com. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  7. ^ Elle (May 18, 2020). "Meghan Markle's 8 Most Bizarre TV And Movie Roles". ELLE. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  8. ^ "19 of Meghan Markle's appearances in film and TV". The Independent. May 29, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  9. ^ "Random Encounters". PS News. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  10. ^ Abrams, Margaret (April 20, 2018). "Meghan Markle's 10 Best Acting Roles, From Tostitos to '90210'". Observer. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  11. ^ Bellisario, Michaela K. (May 3, 2018). "Meghan Markle. In Inghilterra a ruba dvd con il suo film "A random encounter"". iO Donna (in Italian). Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  12. ^ Cheong, Charissa. "Meghan Markle once acted in a movie produced by the man now accused of starting a TikTok 'dance cult'". Business Insider. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  13. ^ Sun, Esther (May 30, 2024). "What is the true story behind 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult'?". Today. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  14. ^ Palmer, Jason (April 15, 2018). "Meghan Markle rom-com A Random Encounter heading to DVD & Digital". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  15. ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  16. ^ Specter, Emma (November 12, 2025). "A Definitive Ranking of All of Meghan Markle's Film and Television Roles". Vogue. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  17. ^ "Zufällig… Liebe: Trailer & Kritik zum Film". TV Today (in German). Retrieved January 6, 2026.
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