I’ve been disappointed with Prime Video’s original movie output so far this year. But over the summer months, the situation has become pretty desperate. In fact, the Amazon-owned streaming service currently boasts a new sci-fi thriller movie with a rare 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Hoping to change the platform's fortunes is “The Pickup,” a new action-comedy that pairs together former SNL cast members Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson. Unfortunately, it’s another misfire for Prime Video playing out like a cheap imitation of better heist movies, lacking the razzmatazz of flicks like “Ocean’s Eleven” (which the movie shamelessly copies).
I’m not going to pretend I had sky-high expectations for this one. The trailer pitches a glossy, and very broad, comedy with largely pedestrian action. But I’d hoped it could be a pleasant surprise, at least somewhat watchable in the vein of recent Prime Video original “Heads of State” — an unspectacular action-comedy that is at least passably entertaining.
The Pickup” typifies the worst of straight-to-streaming dreck. The type of movie that you used to pick up for $1 in the DVD bargain bin at Walmart.
Unfortunately, “The Pickup” doesn’t even meet that low bar, and instead typifies the worst of straight-to-streaming dreck. The type of movie that you used to pick up for $1 in the DVD bargain bin at Walmart.
I wouldn’t bet against it rising to No. 1 in the Prime Video top 10 most-watched list as the platform is already pushing the movie hard, which usually results in the top spot, but it’s unworthy of so much attention.
Still want to know more? Let’s get into exactly what doesn't work about “The Pickup” (spoilers: basically everything) and why it’s another Prime Video dud for a streaming service that’s had a particularly poor 2025.
What is ‘The Pickup’ about?
Russell (Eddie Murphy) and Travis (Pete Davidson) are two mismatched armored truck drivers. Russell is crotchety and set to retire soon, while Travis is the blundering and talkative newbie always getting on his more experienced co-worker's very last nerve.
But the duo are about to endure a very bad shift as they are ambushed by a criminal gang, led by mastermind Zoe (Keke Palmer), and forced to partake in an audacious heist to rob a casino vault. But the stakes go beyond a sizeable cash score because for Zoe, this thief is personal, and she’s determined to force Russell and Travis to see things through.
You’ve seen ‘The Pickup’ before and done better
“The Pickup” plays out in such a familiar way, sticking to genre tropes so rigidly, that at times, I wondered if I’d somehow seen it before. Of course, it’s a new Prime Video original, so while it’s technically fresh, trust me, when I say you’ve seen everything it has to offer before, and done better.
The framework of two mismatched colleagues working together on a dangerous mission, squabbling all the way to the bank (quite literally in this case), is mundane and predictable. And the wrinkle of them being forced into a criminal act is similarly worn-out and dull.
You also won’t be shocked to learn that the motivation behind Zoe’s desire to rob a casino is rooted in a childhood trauma, and in her eyes, she’s not a villain, because she’s stealing from the elite who rob the little guys in society every single day. Of course, a romantic subplot is thrown into the mix because “The Pickup” is eager to check every cliche box.
But maybe you can look past the generic story, I’m a sucker for a good heist movie after all, I love watching a complex plan laid out, and then the team having to pivot as unexpected elements throw spanners in the works. The problem here is that this isn’t a good heist movie. Far from it.
The few action sequences lack excitement; the stifled tension during the third-act heist sequence never amounts to anything; and the comedy is barely worth a chuckle. I think the movie got a single genuine laugh out of me, and that’s just not acceptable for a supposed comedy movie.
Compounding matters is that the entire cast seems just as disinterested as most audience members will be. Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson are funny guys, Keke Palmer is a real talent, and Eva Longoria shows up for a supporting role. These actors are deserving of much better material than what they’re presented with in “The Pickup,” and I think they all know it.
There really is very little for me to praise about “The Pickup.” Perhaps its biggest saving grace is that it’s only 95 minutes long, so it doesn’t take up a huge amount of your time, and at least as a streaming movie, it doesn’t require you to cough up for a pricey movie theatre ticket to watch. But frankly, your time is more valuable than being wasted on such filler.
Should you stream ‘The Pickup’ on Prime Video?
In case the above hadn’t made my stance clear, “The Pickup” is most certainly not worth your precious movie-watching time. It’s not even a mindless distraction worth watching when you need a quick fix of light entertainment. It’s unbearably bland. It feels like a movie created on a factory line by slotting together tropes to create flavorless sludge.
The few action sequences lack excitement; the stifled tension during the third-act heist sequence never amounts to anything; and the comedy is barely worth a chuckle.
And I don’t seem to be alone in my dislike of “The Pickup.” The movie debuts on Prime Video today (August 6), but it’s already on course to be a critical flop. It currently holds a poor 36% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the Guardian even labelled it “worse than ‘Norbit’,” a Murphy movie so bad it’s often cited as the reason he lost his best chance at an Oscar.
I’m aware that what is deemed an acceptable standard in the streaming world is often lower than for full theatrical releases, but Prime Video is better than this. Certainly, its subscriber base deserves better viewing options than this. “The Pickup” is a car-crash action-comedy, lacking any originality or charm, and existing merely to pad out Prime’s library.
If you’re looking for something new to watch on Prime Video, and I’ve managed to convince you to skip “The Pickup” (smart choice), here’s a guide to everything new on the streaming service in August, which thankfully does include new additions that look of a higher quality.
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