The pickup movie review

 **The Pickup (2025) Movie Review: A Misfire That Wastes a Stellar Cast**

*The Pickup*, a 2025 heist action-comedy directed by Tim Story and released on Amazon Prime Video, promises a high-octane romp with a powerhouse cast featuring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer, and Eva Longoria. However, despite the undeniable star power and the genre’s potential for fun, the film is a disappointing, generic, and forgettable endeavor that fails to capitalize on its talent or deliver the laughs and thrills it aims for. Below is a comprehensive review exploring the film’s plot, performances, direction, script, and overall execution, while weaving in insights from various critics to provide a well-rounded perspective.

### Plot Overview

*The Pickup* centers on two mismatched armored truck drivers: Russell (Eddie Murphy), a seasoned veteran eager to retire and celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Natalie (Eva Longoria), and Travis (Pete Davidson), an impulsive, dim-witted rookie who dreams of becoming a police officer despite his incompetence. Their routine cash pickup takes a chaotic turn when their truck is ambushed by a crew of high-tech thieves led by Zoe (Keke Palmer), who seduced Travis earlier to gain insider information for her heist. What starts as a simple robbery evolves into a convoluted plan to steal $60 million from an Atlantic City casino, forcing Russell and Travis to navigate danger, clashing personalities, and Zoe’s shifting motives. The film attempts to blend buddy-comedy dynamics, action-packed chases, and a touch of romance, but the execution falters under a weak script and inconsistent tone.

### The Good: A Talented Cast and Occasional Sparks

The film’s greatest asset is its cast, which brings moments of charm despite the material’s shortcomings. Keke Palmer shines as Zoe, the cunning and charismatic mastermind behind the heist. Critics praise her ability to elevate the role, with *But Why Tho?* noting that she “flexes her action skills” and brings a “movie-star quality” to the film, stealing scenes from her co-stars with her fast-talking wit and commanding presence. Palmer’s performance injects energy into the otherwise flat narrative, and her ability to balance comedy and action makes her the standout, with some arguing she deserves better roles than this.[](https://butwhytho.net/2025/08/the-pickup-movie-review-prime-video/)[](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-pickup/)[](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-pickup/)

Eddie Murphy, a comedy legend known for iconic action-comedies like *48 Hrs.* and *Beverly Hills Cop*, brings his signature charisma to Russell, but the role constrains him as the straight man. Critics note that Murphy’s “deliberate timing” and “razor-sharp” delivery still land occasional laughs, particularly in moments where he unleashes his exasperated humor. However, his performance feels subdued, with many reviewers, including *Variety* and *Roger Ebert*, observing that he appears “bored” or “sleepwalking” through much of the film, a stark contrast to his dynamic past roles.[](https://butwhytho.net/2025/08/the-pickup-movie-review-prime-video/)[](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-pickup-review-eddie-murphy-pete-davidson-1236480878/)[](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-pickup-movie-review-2025)

Pete Davidson’s Travis is a polarizing figure. His goofy, over-the-top antics align with his *Saturday Night Live* persona, and some reviews, like *ScreenRant*, appreciate how his “dry, offbeat delivery” deflates the film’s overly serious action beats, occasionally resembling an SNL sketch. *The Hollywood Reporter* praises the “lively chemistry” between Davidson and Murphy, noting their foe-to-friend dynamic as a highlight. However, others, such as *Collider* and *Empire*, find his character “obnoxious” and “cartoonishly dumb,” arguing that his juvenile humor and repetitive quirks drag the film down.[](https://screenrant.com/the-pickup-movie-review-2025/)[](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-pickup-review-eddie-murphy-pete-davidson-keke-palmer-1236333719/)[](https://collider.com/the-pickup-movie-review-eddie-murphy/)

Eva Longoria, as Natalie, and supporting players like Marshawn Lynch and Andrew Dice Clay add fleeting moments of charm. Longoria’s comedic timing shines in the third act, where her character becomes more involved, with *The Hollywood Reporter* noting that she “injects much-needed energy”. Lynch, in particular, earns praise for his brief but memorable comedic presence, with *Roger Ebert* citing his scenes as the film’s only redeeming factor, warranting its one-star rating over zero. However, the supporting cast is underutilized, with Lynch and others exiting too quickly to make a lasting impact.[](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-pickup-review-eddie-murphy-pete-davidson-keke-palmer-1236333719/)[](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-pickup-movie-review-2025)[](https://butwhytho.net/2025/08/the-pickup-movie-review-prime-video/)

The action sequences, particularly a high-speed freeway chase with exploding dye packs, are a bright spot for some critics. *Empire* highlights the “impressively shot practical stunts,” and *But Why Tho?* appreciates the “practical-looking explosions and large-scale set pieces” that exceed expectations for a streaming film. These moments provide brief thrills, but they’re not enough to salvage the overall experience.[](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-pickup/)[](https://butwhytho.net/2025/08/the-pickup-movie-review-prime-video/)

### The Bad: A Weak Script and Lack of Chemistry

The script, penned by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, is widely criticized as the film’s biggest weakness. *Roger Ebert* calls it “atrocious,” pointing to erratic character behavior, implausible plot points, and a lack of urgency despite a ticking-clock premise. The heist’s logistics, such as a 100-mile stretch of road with no cell service near Atlantic City, strain credulity, with reviewers like *Variety* noting the “credulity-defying twists” that make the plot feel contrived. The narrative tries to add emotional depth through Zoe’s motivations, which carry a “stick it to the rich” vibe, but critics, including *JoBlo*, argue that this feels “flimsy and wedged in,” undermining the film’s stakes rather than enhancing them.[](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-pickup-movie-review-2025)[](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-pickup-review-eddie-murphy-pete-davidson-1236480878/)[](https://www.joblo.com/the-pickup-review/)

The lack of chemistry among the leads is another major flaw. *Roger Ebert* bluntly states that “Murphy and Davidson have no chemistry. Davidson and Palmer have no chemistry. Palmer and Murphy have no chemistry,” a sentiment echoed by others who feel the ensemble fails to gel. The buddy-comedy dynamic between Russell and Travis, meant to drive the film, feels forced, with *Variety* describing Murphy as a “checked-out” straight man and Davidson as an “overcompensatingly antic” foil. The romantic subplot between Travis and Zoe is equally unconvincing, with critics questioning why a savvy criminal like Zoe would fall for the bumbling Travis.[](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-pickup-movie-review-2025)[](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-pickup-review-eddie-murphy-pete-davidson-1236480878/)[](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-pickup-movie-review-2025)

The humor is another sore point. The script leans heavily on juvenile sex jokes and tired racial stereotypes, with *Empire* citing lines like “You’re Black, so you look 40, but you could be up to 90” as emblematic of its “lame and juvenile material”. Critics like *The Guardian* lament that the film “takes work to make Murphy entirely unfunny,” a feat achieved through repetitive gags and a lack of wit. Even reviewers who found unintentional humor, like *ScreenRant*, note that the laughs often come from the film’s “so-bad-it’s-good” quality rather than intentional comedy.[](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-pickup/)[](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-pickup/)[](https://screenrant.com/the-pickup-movie-review-2025/)

### Direction and Technical Aspects

Tim Story, known for *Barbershop* and *Ride Along*, brings a professional sheen to the action sequences, but his direction can’t overcome the script’s shortcomings. *Collider* notes that the action scenes feel “rushed and unsatisfying,” with explosion effects that look cheap, as if “created using a smartphone app”. The film’s pacing is uneven, with *The Hollywood Reporter* describing it as a “jerky ride” that loses steam after a promising start. The desolate settings and sparse production values, as noted by *TheWrap*, give the film an “overbearing cheapness” that undermines its ambition.[](https://collider.com/the-pickup-movie-review-eddie-murphy/)[](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-pickup-review-eddie-murphy-pete-davidson-keke-palmer-1236333719/)[](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-pickup/)

Christopher Lennertz’s score is serviceable, adding some energy to the action scenes, but it’s not particularly memorable. The cinematography by Larry Blanford and editing by Craig Alpert are competent but fail to inject the vibrancy needed to elevate the material. The film’s 94-minute runtime is brisk, but critics argue it feels longer due to its lack of engagement.[](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-pickup-review-eddie-murphy-pete-davidson-keke-palmer-1236333719/)[](https://collider.com/the-pickup-movie-review-eddie-murphy/)

### Critical and Audience Reception

*The Pickup* has received generally negative reviews, with a Metacritic score of 38/100 based on 13 critic reviews, indicating “generally unfavorable” reception. Rotten Tomatoes reflects mixed sentiments, with some critics appreciating the cast’s charisma but most lamenting the wasted potential. Audience reactions, based on limited user ratings (3.4/10 on Metacritic), mirror this disappointment, with many calling it a forgettable streaming filler. However, some viewers, like X user @FastLaneTaddx, found it “funny” with “more action than expected,” giving it a 6.4/10. Others, like @ReadySteadyCut and @ConnorMovies, echo the critical consensus, calling it a “flat” and “unfunny” waste of talent.[](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-pickup/)[](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_pickup)[](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-pickup/)

### The Bigger Picture: A Missed Opportunity

*The Pickup* arrives at a time when action-comedies are a staple of streaming platforms, offering undemanding entertainment for casual viewing. However, as *Empire* notes, the genre has seen better days, with Murphy’s own *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* proving he can still deliver in the right project. The film’s failure to recapture the magic of Murphy’s 1980s classics like *48 Hrs.* or *Beverly Hills Cop* is particularly disheartening, especially since Murphy himself is a producer. Critics like *Variety* question the decision to cast him as the straight man, muting his comedic brilliance, while *Roger Ebert* sees the film as a reminder of “how much better he can be”.[](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-pickup/)[](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-pickup-review-eddie-murphy-pete-davidson-1236480878/)[](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-pickup-movie-review-2025)

The film also reflects broader trends in streaming content, where star-driven projects often prioritize name recognition over quality. *The A.V. Club* describes it as “entertaining on that most basic of slack-jawed levels,” blurring into memories of better capers. While *But Why Tho?* and *Loud And Clear Reviews* find it a “solidly entertaining” and “hilarious joyride” for casual viewing, most agree it’s not a film that lingers in the mind.[](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-pickup/)[](https://butwhytho.net/2025/08/the-pickup-movie-review-prime-video/)[](https://loudandclearreviews.com/the-pickup-film-review/)

### Final Verdict

*The Pickup* is a frustrating case of squandered potential. Its talented cast—particularly Keke Palmer—delivers moments of charm, and the action sequences offer brief excitement, but the film is dragged down by a weak script, lackluster chemistry, and inconsistent humor. It’s not the worst of Eddie Murphy’s career (films like *Norbit* or *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* hold that distinction), but its generic nature and lack of ambition make it a forgettable addition to his filmography. For fans of the cast, it might serve as passable background noise, but as *Roger Ebert* suggests, “silence would actually be preferable”. If you’re looking for a heist comedy with wit and energy, you’re better off revisiting *Ocean’s Eleven* or Murphy’s earlier work.[](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-pickup-movie-review-2025)

**Rating: 7/10** – A bland, uninspired action-comedy that fails to deliver on its promising premise and talented ensemble. Watch it for Keke Palmer’s standout performance, but don’t expect a classic.