The Out-Laws
Directed by Tyler Spindel
★★
Persons Shown
Ellen Barkin, Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan.
Description
The Out-Laws. (L to R) Ellen Barkin as Lilly McDermott, Adam DeVine as Owen Browning, Nina Dobrev as Parker McDermott, Pierce Brosnan as Billy McDermott in The Out-Laws. Cr. Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2023.
Production Still Image
6861 x 4574
Credit
Scott Yamano/Netflix
Copyright
© 2023 Netflix, Inc.
The Out-Laws, directed by Tyler Spindel, is a comedy that attempts to blend the thrills of a heist movie with the quirks of family dynamics, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The film follows Owen Browning (Adam Devine), a by-the-book bank manager who is preparing to marry his fiancée, Parker (Nina Dobrev). However, his life takes an unexpected turn when his bank is robbed by the notorious Ghost Bandits during the week of his wedding. Suspicion quickly falls on his future in-laws, played by Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin, who have just arrived in town. What could have been a high-stakes, laugh-out-loud comedy ends up being little more than a passable time-killer.
Adam Devine brings his usual energy and enthusiasm to the role of Owen, delivering a performance that’s consistent with his brand of humor—goofy, over-the-top, and occasionally endearing. However, even Devine’s manic charm can’t fully elevate the material he’s working with. The script offers a few humorous moments, but they are spread thin, and the jokes often feel forced or uninspired. Nina Dobrev’s role as Parker is largely underutilized, serving more as a plot device than a fully fleshed-out character.
The real draw of The Out-Laws is the presence of Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin, both seasoned actors who have proven their comedic chops in the past. Brosnan, in particular, seems to relish playing against type as a suave but dangerous criminal, while Barkin brings a tough, no-nonsense edge to her role. However, despite their efforts, the material doesn’t give them much to work with. Their characters are more caricatures than fully realized people, and the film doesn’t dig deep enough into the potential comedic goldmine of their situation.
The premise of The Out-Laws had the potential to be a fun and engaging comedy, but it’s let down by a script that doesn’t take enough risks or deliver enough laughs. The plot is predictable, the twists are telegraphed well in advance, and the humor, while occasionally hitting the mark, mostly falls flat. The film feels like it’s going through the motions, relying on its talented cast to carry it through, but without giving them the material they need to truly shine.
In a time when streaming platforms like Netflix are churning out content at a rapid pace, The Out-Laws feels like just another addition to the pile. There’s nothing particularly offensive or egregious about it, but there’s also nothing particularly memorable or exciting, either. It’s clear that Netflix has the capability to produce high-quality comedies—this just isn’t one of them. The Out-Laws is serviceable for a lazy Saturday or as background noise while getting some housework done, but it doesn’t offer much more than that. In a crowded field of streaming content, this film is unlikely to stand out or be remembered, serving more as filler than anything truly entertaining.
The Out-Laws is a largely forgettable comedy that squanders the potential of its talented cast with a weak script and uninspired direction. It’s fine for a bit of light entertainment, but don’t expect anything more than a few chuckles and a lot of missed opportunities. Netflix might benefit from focusing on quality over quantity, as films like this only serve to highlight the growing disparity between the two.
