The Pickup
Directed by Tim Story
★★½
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On paper, The Pickup has all the right ingredients for a mid-summer hit: a veteran star in Eddie Murphy, in- demand talents like KeKe Palmer and Pete Davidson, and a fun turn from Eva Longoria. The hook is simple: a cash run that should’ve been routine goes off the rails, sending two armored truck drivers into a spiraling nightmare of bullets, betrayal, and bad luck. The story is designed for both tension and comedy, with clashing personalities forced to survive one outrageous escalation after another.
The movie delivers bursts of excitement, though not always with the freshness you’d hope for. The action sequences are competently staged, from the initial ambush to claustrophobic scrambles through alleys and casinos. But there’s a sense of familiarity to it all—the kind of “we’ve been here before” set pieces that lean on formula rather than invention. What saves these stretches is the sheer charisma of the cast.
Murphy grounds the film with a weary authority, playing the seasoned professional who’s seen it all until today proves he hasn’t. He’s measured here—more sardonic than silly—though the script never really gives him the chance to unleash the larger-than-life energy that has defined his career. Davidson, meanwhile, plays the foil: loose, reckless, and never quite on the same page as his partner. His humor lands in spots, but it often feels improvised in ways that don’t always serve the scene, which most likely is an editing issue.
Longoria adds a touch of polish, though her role is ultimately underwritten. She provides presence and style but not the kind of time is given to her that might have deepened the film’s stakes.
The true standout, unsurprisingly, is KeKe Palmer. Once again, she demonstrates her uncanny ability to elevate middling material. Her character could easily have been reduced to a stock figure, but Palmer injects her with heart, wit, and layers of resolve. Whether she’s maneuvering through the chaos of the ambush or holding her ground in tense exchanges, she commands attention. Even when the writing falters, she finds ways to make the role resonate, giving the film its rare moments of genuine depth.
That balance—between serviceable plotting and standout performances—is what defines The Pickup. The movie is rarely laugh-out-loud funny, which may disappoint viewers expecting a broad comedy. Instead, it operates more as an action-thriller with comedic undertones. There are chuckles sprinkled throughout, but the tone never fully commits to being either tense or hilarious. The result is a film that lives in the middle lane: entertaining enough, occasionally sharp, but never quite transcendent.
In the end, The Pickup feels like a decent weeknight watch rather than a must-see event. It’s carried more by the actors than the script or direction, with KeKe Palmer once again proving that even in a role written without much nuance, she can bring authenticity and heart. While not a disaster by any stretch, it’s a film that leaves you wishing its creative risks matched the talent of its cast.
