Hollywood is a weird place. One minute you're struggling to pay rent in a cramped New York apartment, and the next, you're the face of a billion-dollar franchise or dating a pop icon. It's a high-stakes bubble where genuine friendships are supposedly rare. Yet, if you look at the trajectory of Pete Davidson and Glen Powell, you see something different. They aren't just two names on a call sheet. They’re a reminder of a very specific era in streaming history—the moment the Netflix rom-com actually became "cool" again.
Back in 2018, the world was a little different. Set It Up dropped on Netflix, and it was basically a lightning strike for both of them. Glen Powell was Charlie, the high-strung assistant. Pete Davidson was Duncan, the "wonderfully bizarre" roommate.
The chemistry was instant. It wasn't just movie magic. Powell has gone on record saying they hit it off immediately on set. They weren't just "coworkers." They were guys who FaceTimed while Pete was navigating the absolute chaos of his whirlwind engagement to Ariana Grande. Powell famously described them as "two sides of the same coin."
Why the Pete Davidson and Glen Powell Connection Still Matters
It’s easy to dismiss celebrity friendships as PR stunts. We've all seen the staged paparazzi walks. But with these two, it felt like a collision of two very different worlds that somehow made perfect sense. You had Powell, who looks like he was carved out of a block of "all-American leading man" granite. Then you had Davidson, the king of Staten Island grit and self-deprecating SNL humor.
They represented two different paths to stardom. Powell took the slow burn—Scream Queens, Hidden Figures, and eventually Top Gun: Maverick. Davidson was the rocket ship—SNL at 20, tabloid headlines by 24.
The Set It Up Legacy
If you haven't seen Set It Up, you're missing out on the peak "roommate Pete" era. He played Duncan, Charlie’s (Powell) gay roommate, a role that critics at the time found... well, let's call it "uniquely Pete." Some called him the "least believable gay roommate" ever, but that was kind of the point. He brought that specific, unfiltered Davidson energy to a genre that is usually too polished.
- The Dynamic: Powell was the straight man (literally and figuratively) to Pete’s chaos.
- The Vibe: It felt like they were actually hanging out in a real NYC apartment, not a soundstage.
- The Results: The movie was a sleeper hit that proved Powell could lead a rom-com and Pete could hold a screen without a teleprompter.
Honestly, their friendship was the glue. Powell even defended Pete during the height of the media frenzy surrounding his personal life. He didn't just give a canned answer; he talked about how they "talk all the time." That’s real stuff.
Where Are They Now? (The 2026 Update)
Fast forward to 2026. The landscape has shifted massively. Glen Powell is no longer just "that guy from the Netflix movie." He's arguably the biggest movie star in the world right now. Between the Twisters success and his recent stint hosting Saturday Night Live in late 2025, he’s everywhere.
Pete, meanwhile, has taken a step back. He’s been vocal about not wanting to be the "loser who just dates people." He’s focused on the work—stand-up, smaller films, and keeping a lower profile with his current girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt.
The 2025 SNL Reunion
People lost their minds when Glen Powell hosted SNL in November 2025. While Pete isn't a regular cast member anymore, the "ferry update" on Weekend Update and the general buzz of that episode felt like a nod to their shared history. Powell tackled sketches about AI hallucinations and middle-aged dads, proving he has the comedic chops Pete always saw in him.
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They represent a shift in masculinity, too. Powell is the "new Tom Cruise," but he's not afraid to be silly. Davidson is the "sad boy" who became a fashion icon. Together, they bridged the gap between old-school Hollywood glamour and modern-day relatability.
The "Fuckboat" and Future Collaborations
Rumors are always swirling. Recently, Powell’s production company, Barnstorm, has been moving into high-concept comedies like The Fuckboat. While there's no official word on a reunion movie, fans have been screaming for a Set It Up sequel for years.
Will it happen?
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Maybe. But honestly, they might be too big for it now. Powell is busy "chartering a fuckboat" (his words, technically, or at least the title of his movie) and Pete is busy being a "wise elder" of the comedy scene at the ripe old age of 32.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think their friendship was just for the Set It Up press tour. It wasn't. They were genuinely part of a "wild ride" together. Powell was there during the Ariana years. Pete was there before Powell was a household name.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're looking at the Pete Davidson and Glen Powell trajectory for career inspiration or just because you love the lore, here’s what you can actually take away:
- Chemistry is Unfakeable: Whether you're making a YouTube video or a Netflix movie, find people you actually like. The audience can tell.
- Pivot When Necessary: Powell leaned into the "hunky guy" role then pivoted to comedy. Pete leaned into "the boyfriend" role then pivoted back to his roots. Know when to change the narrative.
- Support Your Circle: Powell’s public support of Pete during his mental health struggles and high-profile breakups is a masterclass in how to be a real friend in a fake industry.
Keep an eye on Glen’s upcoming Barnstorm projects. There’s a high chance he’ll tap into that "Set It Up" energy again, hopefully with a cameo from a certain Staten Island native. For now, we've got the reruns and the late-night FaceTime stories.
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If you want to track their next moves, follow the production notes for Barnstorm’s R-rated comedies—that’s where the real magic is likely to happen next.