Jackpot!

‘Jackpot!’: When Laughs and Action Take a Wrong Turn!

Awkwafina and John Cena team up in the new movie ‘Jackpot!’ but is it really a winning combination? Or just a flop? Find out!

When it comes to burying your characters and audience under piles of lazy writing and disconnected humor, the new Amazon Prime film ‘Jackpot!’ hits the jackpot on all the wrong metrics. Directed by Paul Feig, known for his work on comedic blockbusters like 'Bridesmaids,' this action-comedy stars Awkwafina and John Cena, but sadly, the chemistry between the duo isn't enough to salvage a script riddled with issues. Set in a dystopian near-future, the film teeters between a loony adventure and tiresome cliché, leaving viewers wondering if it ever really knows what it wants to be.

With Awkwafina playing the lead role of Katie Kim, she finds herself navigating a world where greed and vanity reign supreme. Alongside her, Cena takes on the role of Noel, who adds a brawn-and-banter dynamic to a script that tries, but ultimately fails, to deliver both engaging action and rollicking comedy. Critics have described ‘Jackpot!’ as a dumpster fire of metaphors and plot lines that go absolutely nowhere, leaving audiences feeling lost in an empty spectacle of explosions and awkward attempts at humor.

While the film solidly delivers on its action set pieces, it’s clear that Paul Feig struggled to balance emotion and comedy, leading to a disconnect that harms the characters. The star power of Awkwafina and Cena isn't enough to elevate the material, and as the film progresses, the plot grows increasingly convoluted, making it hard to cheer for characters that the filmmakers seem to want us to root against. One reviewer even quipped that the film hates its audience just as much as it does its characters, a rather disheartening notion given the talent involved!

Ultimately, ‘Jackpot!’ feels like a missed opportunity—a chance to craft an imaginative action-comedy that turned into a cautionary tale about overinflated expectations. With a mix of dark humor surrounding humanity’s worst attributes, the film serves either as a reflection of society or a humorous exploration of absurdity. The enduring question remains: Can dynamic performances still ring true amidst a plot that seems to intentionally sabotage any chance of success?

Did you know? Paul Feig has previously spoken about the necessity of finding humor in unexpected places, yet this film challenges that notion. Additionally, John Cena continues to prove that he is not just a wrestling champion but a versatile actor willing to take on any genre, from dramas to comedies, despite the rough waters he seems to be navigating in ‘Jackpot!’