Editor’s note: This review was originally published at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Hulu releases the film on its streaming platform on Friday, November 3.

The 17-year gap between Awkwafina and Sandra Oh doesn’t do much to hinder their believability as siblings in the straight-down-the-middle comedy “Quiz Lady,” in part because that was never the point. The against-type casting wants to be appreciated for subverting the obvious placement, an inside joke opened to all viewers familiar with Oh’s résumé of chronic high achievers and Awkwafina’s affinity for slackers with an affinity for the chronic.

As screwup big sis and whirlwind of chaos Jenny, Oh rocks the big pants and language about “manifesting” borrowed from girls a little less than half her age, while Awkwafina has the wardrobe, daily routine, and life’s-been-lived defeatism of a “98-year-old spinster” as the junior yet far more mature Anne. They mix like Fireball and water,...