The Pickup (2025) Review: A Wobbly Armored Truck Heist Comedy

This The Pickup review starts with a simple question: can a mismatched-buddy heist comedy survive on star power alone? Tim Story's 2025 action comedy puts Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson in an armored truck and hopes the chemistry carries the ride. It mostly gets there, though not without some bumps.

The Pickup Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Pickup plot is easy to describe. Russell and Travis drive an armored truck and have a routine cash run to make. Russell is the seasoned hand, and Travis is the looser, more chaotic partner, so the two are a classic odd couple.

Their day goes sideways when a crew of criminals led by Zoe ambushes the truck. As the TMDB synopsis puts it, she is a savvy mastermind, and her plan reaches beyond the cash. That is as far as we will go, because the film works best when you let it unfold.

The setup is familiar, but it gives the film a tight, contained engine: a truck, a long road and a crew with a plan. At 94 minutes, it moves quickly. If you like the genre, you can find more in our Action movie reviews.

What Works in The Pickup

The film's best asset is its energy whenever Keke Palmer is on screen. She plays Zoe with confidence and a wicked sense of fun, and she gives the story a spark it badly needs.

• Pace: The film rarely sits still, and the short runtime keeps it from overstaying its welcome.

• Action beats: Some audience members praise the vehicle chases and practical-feeling stunts, which give the film a gritty, grounded feel.

• Comic pairing: Murphy and Davidson have a loose, bickering rapport that lands a few real laughs.

It is also a pleasant surprise that the film aims for a lighter touch than many modern action movies. Fans of broad humor will find it easy to settle into. Those who want more laughs can browse our Comedy movie reviews.

The Pickup Cast and Performances

The cast is the main reason to press play. Eddie Murphy plays Russell, Pete Davidson is Travis, and Keke Palmer is Zoe. Eva Longoria appears as Natalie, Jack Kesy plays Banner, and Ismael Cruz Cordova is Miguel.

Murphy and Davidson

The duo is passable rather than electric. Davidson's scruffy, off-the-cuff style gives him the more natural rhythm, while Murphy can feel underused in a role that rarely lets him cut loose. Their scenes work best when the script lets them riff.

Palmer steals it

Palmer is the standout. She brings the menace, charm and timing that the plot needs, and viewers who were lukewarm on the film still singled her out. The supporting players have less to do, so the rest of the cast feels thinner by comparison.

Where The Pickup Stumbles

The biggest problem is the writing. The story follows predictable beats, and the humor is uneven, with jokes that land in one scene and fall flat in the next. Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider's script has a good hook but not enough surprises to support it.

The look of the film is another sore spot. Critics and viewers have called it flat, and much of the action takes place inside a drab truck cab. The long highway setting also feels oddly empty rather than lived in.

In short, Tim Story delivers a competent, watchable ride, but rarely a memorable one. Audience scores are split, with reactions ranging from enthusiastic to dismissive, and that division fits the film's uneven nature.

Is The Pickup Worth Watching?

The Pickup is worth watching if you are a fan of its stars and want a light, undemanding action comedy. It is not a sharp, razor-edged heist film, and it will not change your view of the genre. It is a decent way to spend 94 minutes, especially for Palmer's performance.

Our score reflects that balance: a fun cast and brisk pace, held back by a thin script and drab visuals. If you go in with modest expectations, you may enjoy it more than the harshest reviews suggest. If you want something with more bite, a sharper Crime movie review pick might suit you better.

The film is rated R, so it is not meant for younger viewers. For background on the production, see the The Pickup page on IMDb.

Who Will Enjoy The Pickup

• Fans of Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson or Keke Palmer who want to see them share the screen.

• Viewers who like lightweight, buddy-style action comedies with a short runtime.

• Anyone after an easy, low-stakes movie night rather than a clever, twisty heist.