In a year full of forgettable productions and releases that fly under the radar, The Pickup arrives as just another film filling a slot on the calendar. With virtually nonexistent marketing and extremely low expectations – especially considering the names involved – this heist flick, written by Kevin Burrows & Matt Mider (The Package) and directed by Tim Story (Shaft), never once showed signs of wanting to be more than a Friday night movie, quickly consumed and immediately forgotten. And unfortunately, that’s exactly what it ends up being.
The Pickup centers its story around an unlikely trio: a recently hired security guard (Pete Davidson, The King of Staten Island), a more experienced guard (Eddie Murphy, Coming 2 America), and a charming criminal with questionable motives (Keke Palmer, Nope). Together, they find themselves caught up in a heist that gets more complicated at every turn. The script attempts to build a heist narrative with a balanced mix of comedy and action, but ends up as a generic blend of recycled ideas, with no innovation or distinct identity.
From the opening minutes, The Pickup proves itself to be a completely formulaic work, following every cliché in the heist flick playbook: over-the-top plans gone wrong, predictable betrayals, car chases, shootouts, and of course, the inevitable twist ending that any attentive viewer can see coming before the film even starts. The only variation possible in stories like this lies in execution – something Story, unfortunately, shows no interest in elevating or even differentiating.
There are a few positives, even if they’re scarce. The dynamic between the three leads – Murphy, Davidson, and Palmer – does manage to draw a few smiles. The back-and-forth dialogue is simple, yes, but there’s a certain entertainment value in their personality contrast. Davidson continues to show a natural, laid-back charisma that fits well in comedic roles, while Murphy occasionally shines with his trademark timing and expressions. However, it’s Palmer who stands out the most, even if she’s clearly above the material she’s been given. The actress has a magnetic presence and dramatic talent that deserve projects with far more substance.
The one true technical highlight is an admittedly gripping car chase that takes place near the end of the first act. It’s a surprisingly well-choreographed sequence, relying on practical stunt work that harks back to the good old days of action movies before the total takeover of digital effects. The length of the scene and the investment in its execution offer a glimpse of what the film could have been. It’s a shame, then, that the climax goes in the opposite direction: obvious VFX, painfully green-screened backgrounds, and a complete absence of narrative logic. It’s rare to feel compelled to call out internal logic in a story – especially in a genre that by nature asks for some suspension of disbelief – but The Pickup stretches convenience and illogical choices so far that it becomes impossible to ignore.
Thematically, there’s no subtext, metaphor, or reflection. There’s no social commentary, no noteworthy character development, not even an attempt to explore anything deeper than the generic surface of its premise. Cinema, of course, has room for purely entertainment-driven movies – not every project needs to be dense or intellectually stimulating – but there’s a difference between a good escapist film and a lazy screenplay. The Pickup clearly falls into the latter category. The lack of tension, the inconsistent pacing, and the absence of emotional stakes make for such a light experience that it evaporates from memory almost instantly. Even the humor is all over the place, swinging between effective gags and ones that are completely tone-deaf.
Final Thoughts on The Pickup
The Pickup is yet another example of how wasted talent, a lack of ambition, and creative laziness result in a film that fails on almost every level. Despite a cast with potential and one or two inspired moments, the movie never manages to rise above its predictable storytelling, inconsistent humor, and complete emptiness – it’s hard to justify the time spent watching it. Unless you’re a die-hard fan of someone involved, this is one ride you’re better off skipping.
Rating: D
The Pickup is now playing on Prime Video.
Learn more about the film, including how to watch it, at the official website for the title.
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