On the Count of Three is a dark comedy-drama film directed by Jerrod Carmichael, who also co-wrote the script with Ari Katcher. The film follows the story of two best friends, Val and Kevin, both of whom are dealing with mental health issues. Val has hit rock bottom and is convinced that he needs to end his life to escape his problems, while Kevin has recently survived a suicide attempt and is struggling to recover.
The two friends come up with a plan to kill themselves together in a bid to make the act more manageable and less terrifying. Before they go through with their plan, however, they decide to confront some of the people and issues that have been holding them back in life. They have unfinished business to attend to, including ex-girlfriends, abusive fathers, and a cheating boss.
As Val and Kevin go about their day, they come across various challenges and obstacles that make them question their decision. Along the way, they find themselves experiencing a range of emotions, from sadness and regret to joy and hope. As the hours tick by, they both begin to question whether suicide is really the best option for them.
The film stars Christopher Abbott as Val and Carmichael as Kevin, with additional cast members including Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, and Lavell Crawford. On the Count of Three premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2021 and was released in theaters and VOD in July of the same year. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances and the film's exploration of mental health issues.