"Better in Real Life"

22 July 2026

2 mins 44s

Reality bites.

When Nora (Madeline Sunshine) meets Chris (Sebastian Carr) for a lunch date at Hector's Deli, there seems to have been a bit of a mix-up. Chris looks a lot different from the clean-cut guy in the photos, but hey—everyone deserves a chance, right? Even if he does backpedal and asks for her share of the bill, the chancer.

Written and directed by Lucy Knox, the dry, delicious script nails the awkwardness of a date that should have perhaps ended before it started, but now they're here, they should get a sandwich and a cold brew out of it, at least. When the former arrives, Chris checks his phone to see if it matches the one on the Hector's Deli Instagram feed. So irony does taste like beef and pickles.

Yes, he's a bit of a tool, but Nora and the brand see potential in him. All he has to do is trust that a real-life feed is better than a social media one... though the Australian sandwich would appreciate it if folk liked, shared, and subscribed nonetheless. At 2'45", Fox's film takes its time and is all the better for it, as the brand appeals to those hungry for authenticity. And sandwiches, of course.

Australia

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