The Pick Up: A Feel-Good Heist Nothing More

The Pickup is a 2025 action-comedy heist film directed by Tim Story, known for films such as Barbershop and Fantastic Four. It premiered on Amazon Prime Video on August 6, 2025 and runs for approximately 94 minutes. The film follows veteran armoured truck driver Russell (Eddie Murphy), who’s counting down to retirement, and his goofy, rookie partner Travis (Pete Davidson). Their shift turns into chaos when Travis unknowingly reveals route info to the cunning Zoe (Keke Palmer), leading to a high-stakes casino heist.

Premise

Russell, a veteran armoured truck driver, is forced into an unusually long shift on his 25th wedding anniversary, the very day he planned to clock off early for a celebratory dinner with his wife. To make matters worse, he’s paired with Travis, an immature rookie who, the night before, unknowingly revealed their route to Zoe, the cunning leader of a three-person crew plotting to steal their truck.

Though Zoe’s plan seems foolproof, things spiral when Russell and Travis unexpectedly fight back, throwing her scheme off course. After a series of setbacks, including losing her crew, Zoe strong-arms the drivers into joining her for the real target: stealing $60 million from the Atlantic City Casino, a place tied to her personal vendetta.

The tension heightens when Natalie, Russell’s wife, suspicious of his excuses, shows up and is taken hostage. As Zoe’s supposedly dead crew resurfaces to seize the loot, alliances shift, and now Russell and Travis must work alongside Zoe—through gunfire and desperation—in a last-ditch effort to rescue Natalie and, if fortune permits, secure the early retirement Russell had dreamed of just six months away.

Casts and Performances

Casting-wise, The Pickup is a mixed bag. Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson as Russell and Travis make for a funny pair. You get Murphy’s serious, no-nonsense attitude clashing with Davidson’s goofy, try-hard rookie energy.

Pete nails the role of the annoying-but-lovable newbie, while Murphy mostly plays it straight, only loosening up once in a while. Keke Palmer as Zoe? Honestly, she didn’t feel threatening enough as the “villain,” though maybe that was the point since she’s not really one in the end.

Eva Longoria as Natalie, Russell’s wife, is your typical suspicious wife with a sixth sense. She is, however, underserved by the script—her subplot often feeling contrived—yet she adds some spark whenever she shows up. Marshawn Lynch and even Roman Reigns pop up, and you’ve got some unexpected cameo moments. The only real miss for me? The forced romance between Pete and Palmer—there was just zero chemistry.

What I Liked

The Pickup delivers action-comedy, but the action dominates for me—especially the armoured truck heist, which plays out tightly and thrills throughout.

The film’s pacing was another plus; nothing felt dragged out, and the story moved smoothly from one act to the next. I also enjoyed the comedic pairing of Pete Davidson and Eddie Murphy. It felt unusual at first, but as the film progressed, their dynamic found its rhythm and became one of the more entertaining aspects.

What I Didn’t Like

The film’s biggest weakness lies in its forced logic. Several scenes simply didn’t add up, pulling me out of the experience. For instance, how did Zoe conveniently know the truck had veered off the main road during the chase? Why did her crew so quickly assume she was working with Russell and Travis? And how did Russell instantly find his wife’s ring when he never actually saw the man hide it there? These may seem like small details, but they chipped away at the movie’s credibility.

The airfield scene stretched believability—the plane took off smoothly despite burning debris surrounding the runway. Was Zoe suddenly the pilot?

Combined with the lack of real chemistry among the cast, these inconsistencies left the film tonally dull, trying to be funny and serious without truly anchoring the details.

Final Thoughts

As much as it was refreshing to see Eddie Murphy back on screen alongside Eva Longoria, I left feeling largely unmoved. The Pickup works as light, feel-good entertainment, but it doesn’t truly rise beyond that. It’s the kind of film you watch for a bit of laugh or a bit of nostalgia, not one that leaves a lasting impression. Enjoyable in parts, yes, grounded, not so much. Ultimately, I found myself wanting more.

Rating

I would rate The Pickup 3 out of 5 stars.

Our Rating

Author

Alexander Azonobo

Alex is a writer with an undeniable passion for movies and the stories they tell. He loves diving into the world of cinema—exploring its themes, characters, and the artistry that brings it all to life. With an eye for detail and a love for storytelling, he writes to share his thoughts and spark conversations about the films that move, challenge, and inspire us.