Original ‘SNL’ Star Dan Aykroyd Gives Honest Review of New Biopic

Original Saturday Night Live star Dan Aykroyd has lodged his honest opinion about Jason Reitman’s biopic Saturday Night , which chronicles the eponymous sketch show’s chaotic debut on Oct. 11, 1975. Aykroyd is played in the film by Maze Runner star Dylan O’Brien.

Aykroyd took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday night to give his review of Reitman’s film, which opened nationwide last weekend after rolling out in limited release at the end of September.

“Cracking a Head to applaud Jason Reitman's triumphant SNL film. Wow!” Aykroyd raved. “What a propulsive, engaging, funny, beautifully cast and acted, suspenseful, adventurous, music-filled ride,” he continued. “A perfect window into the creative process at its highest level. Pretty accurate, too.”

Reitman’s film, written by himself and Gil Kenan, charts SNL ’s turbulent launch from a last-minute Johnny Carson replacement to the most influential sketch comedy series of the past 50 years. Many of Aykroyd’s former co-stars are also portrayed in the film, including Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith) and Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), along with creator/producer Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) and writer Rosie Schuster (Rachel Sennott).

“I was there that night and got to relive it wonderfully again," Aykroyd added. "Congratulations Gil, Jason, and Blumie. Don't miss it whether you know the show or not. It is a stand-alone masterpiece and surefire candidate for Best Picture,” the actor asserted.

Lamorne Morris, who played Aykroyd’s former co-star Garrett Morris in the film, commented on Aykroyd’s post. "Yes indeed!!!!! Hope we made ya proud!" Morris wrote.

Last week, Reitman told Entertainment Weekly that “the response has been genuinely favorable" from the real people portrayed in the film. "Everyone's been lovely,” he said, “it's the honest-to-God truth. They've been really sweet."