The Wrong Paris

Miranda Cosgrove returns to leading lady territory in this Netflix romantic comedy about a dating show contestant who ends up in the wrong Paris. After signing up for 'Love in Paris,' Dawn expects the Eiffel Tower and croissants. Instead, a travel mix-up deposits her in Paris, Texas, population 25,000, where the local attractions include a rodeo and a water tower. Director Janeen Damian, working from a script by Nicole Henrich, leans into the culture clash between slick reality TV production and small-town authenticity.

The cast includes Pierson Fodé as Trey, a cowboy who spent three weeks on a working ranch to prepare for the role, and Frances Fisher as Birdie, the wise grandmother who reportedly improvised some of her best lines. Madison Pettis plays Lexi, Dawn's best friend, while Yvonne Orji takes on the role of Rachel, the no-nonsense producer. With a runtime of 1 hour 47 minutes, the film balances humor derived from fish-out-of-water scenarios with genuine emotional stakes about identity and belonging.

Released on September 11, 2025, the film quickly climbed Netflix's Global Top 10, spending three weeks in the charts and reaching the top 10 in 15 countries. The soundtrack features an original song, 'Right Where I Belong,' performed by Cosgrove and Fodé, alongside licensed tracks from Khruangbin, Blake Shelton, and Miranda Lambert. The production worked closely with the Paris, Texas chamber of commerce, and the town reported a 40% increase in tourism inquiries after the film's release.[edit]

Dawn works at her family's diner in a small Texas town, dreaming of something bigger. Her best friend Lexi pushes her to apply for 'Love in Paris,' a new reality dating show that promises romance in the City of Light. When Dawn gets accepted, she sees it as her ticket out. But a travel agent error sends her not to France but to Paris, Texas, a rural community where the biggest landmarks are a water tower and a rodeo arena.

The show's producers, led by the pragmatic Rachel, scramble to adapt. Instead of the Eiffel Tower, contestants pose in front of grain silos. The handsome bachelor Carl, played by Torrance Coombs, tries to maintain his suave image while dealing with dust and cow manure. Other contestants include Eve, a social media influencer, and Amber, a former beauty queen. Dawn is furious and wants to leave, but her contract won't let her.

At the local diner, Dawn meets Trey, a quiet cowboy who runs his family's ranch. He's everything Carl is not: grounded, sincere, and deeply connected to the land. Trey's grandmother Birdie takes an interest in Dawn, offering unexpected wisdom about the difference between running toward something and running away. Dawn starts helping at the ranch, learning to ride and rope, and finds herself enjoying the simple rhythms of small-town life.

As the show progresses, Dawn grows close to Trey while also forming friendships with the other contestants, especially Lexi, who arrives as a surprise late addition. The producers push for drama, staging conflict between Dawn and Eve, and pressuring Dawn to choose Carl for the finale. Meanwhile, Carl grows jealous of Trey and makes increasingly desperate gestures to win Dawn back.

Dawn faces a choice between the glamorous life she thought she wanted and the real connection she's found in Paris, Texas. The film explores whether home is a place you leave or a place you build, and whether the wrong destination can lead to the right person.[edit]