The Pickup Review: Let’s not sugarcoat this: The Pickup is a clunky, awkward attempt at a buddy action-comedy that feels like it was written in 2011 and unearthed in a panic. When I hit play, I was hoping for that Eddie Murphy comeback magic—something wild, funny, maybe even charming. What do I get instead? A two-hour shrug..
Rating:(1.0/5)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Pickup |
| Director | Tim Story |
| Writers | Kevin Burrows, Matt Mider |
| Genre | Action, Comedy |
| Main Cast | Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria |
| Platform | Prime Video |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Runtime | 1h 52min |
The Premise
Two armored truck guards get roped into a chaotic heist. One’s a grumpy veteran (Murphy’s Russell), the other’s a hyper rookie with more hormones than brain cells (Davidson’s Travis). Add in a seductive criminal mastermind (Palmer’s Zoe), a bunch of logic-defying plot twists, and boom—you’ve got The Pickup.
Sounds like fun, right? In theory, maybe. But in execution? Rough.
A Heist Without Heat
You’d expect tension, wit, and clever heist mechanics. Instead, the plot twists feel like they were pulled out of a bingo spinner. There’s a “secret math genius” twist. There’s a 100-mile phone dead zone near Atlantic City. There’s even a “seduce the idiot for access” subplot that makes less sense the more you think about it.
Every attempt at raising the stakes fizzles out before it even builds momentum.
Setting the Scene
Imagine a heist taking place on a 100-mile empty highway in New Jersey, in the year 2025, with no cars and no cell signal. That’s the logic we’re working with. It’s like the script thought geography and modern technology were optional.
The world of this movie doesn’t feel real—it feels like someone googled “heist setup” and ran with the first hit.
The Cast Breakdown
- Eddie Murphy – What Happened, Man?
It physically hurts to see Murphy reduced to the quiet, annoyed straight-man role. This is the dude who made Beverly Hills Cop legendary. Here? He’s giving tired looks, dealing with back pain jokes, and waiting for the credits.
He still has it, but The Pickup doesn’t let him use it.
- Pete Davidson – Trying Too Hard
Travis is just…a mess. One minute, he’s dumb as bricks, the next, he’s a secret math genius who wants to be a cop. Davidson throws everything at the wall—screaming, crying, sex jokes, pratfalls—but none of it sticks.
It’s like watching someone bomb at stand-up in slow motion.
- Keke Palmer – The Real MVP
Palmer tries. She really does. Zoe should’ve been iconic—a criminal mastermind with charm and edge. Instead, she’s given scraps. But Palmer injects charisma wherever she can. It’s just a shame the script gives her so little to chew on.
- Eva Longoria – Too Good for This
Longoria shows up, drops some clever lines, then disappears. Her dream of running a B&B with Murphy’s character is supposed to be “sweet,” but it’s laughably outdated. Still, she brings some real comedic sparkle to a movie that desperately needed it.
Chemistry? Nonexistent.
Murphy and Davidson have zero buddy-buddy energy. Palmer and Davidson? Nothing. Even Murphy and Longoria—who are supposed to be 25 years into a marriage—feel like coworkers awkwardly role-playing.
It’s like no one rehearsed with anyone.
The Humor – Who’s Laughing?
It’s not edgy. It’s not clever. It’s not even “so dumb it’s funny.” The movie reaches for sex jokes like a teenager who has just discovered the word “balls.” The few punchlines that land feel accidental.
If you laughed, I’m not judging—but I want to know what you were drinking.
Direction and Writing
Tim Story can do this genre (Ride Along, Barbershop), but you wouldn’t know it from The Pickup. The writing is the real killer, though—every character is a bundle of clichés stapled together.
Nothing makes sense. Nothing connects. And worst of all? It’s boring.
What Could’ve Saved It
- Let Eddie Be Eddie Again
Put him back in the driver’s seat. Let him go off. Give him space to riff. Give him jokes that suit his style. Don’t mute one of the greatest comedic voices of all time.
- Give Palmer the Lead
Zoe should’ve been the focus. Palmer has the chops to carry a slick, anti-hero role. Instead of sidelining her, she should’ve run this heist.
Real Talk: Why I Regret Watching It
Halfway through, I paused and thought, “Wait, this is it?” I only kept going because I hoped Murphy would get one scene—just one—that reminded me why I clicked play.
He didn’t.
Should You Watch It?
No. And not in a “so bad it’s good” way either. Not even as background noise while folding laundry. There are YouTube ads with more substance. Unless you’re a die-hard Murphy completist, skip it.
Also Read: Wednesday Season 2 Part 1 Review: Here’s My Brutally Honest Take
Final Verdict
The Pickup tries to be a buddy comedy, an action thriller, and a heist film—but fails at all three. It wastes its cast, wastes its concept, and worst of all, wastes your time.
⭐ 1 out of 5 stars. And that one star? It’s for Keke Palmer and Marshawn Lynch, who both deserved better.
FAQs
Q1: Is “The Pickup” worth watching on Prime Video?
Not unless you’re really bored or incredibly curious. Most people should skip it.
Q2: What genre is “The Pickup”?
It’s an action-comedy, but leans more toward confusion than comedy.
Q3: Does Eddie Murphy have a big role in the movie?
Yes, but it’s painfully underwhelming. He’s barely allowed to be funny.
Q4: Is the heist plot any good?
Nope. It’s messy, illogical, and full of plot holes.
Q5: What movie should I watch instead?
Try The Nice Guys or 21 Jump Street if you want actual laughs and chemistry.