Review: 'The Pickup' on Prime Video: Wild Rom-Com Meets Action Heist

The Pickup is one of those rare romantic comedies that starts off in the most unexpected way and keeps surprising you throughout. What begins as a quirky meet-cute quickly spirals into an action-packed buddy comedy, a romantic rollercoaster, and a wild heist movie all rolled into one. This is the kind of film where you laugh, wince, cheer, and honestly sit back wondering, “Wait, what just happened?” in the best possible way.

Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly and Keke Palmer as Zoe are unexpectedly perfect together. There’s a sweet awkwardness between them that’s both adorable and hilarious. The moment you see that goofy, genuine grin on Travis’s face when Zoe is around, it’s clear he’s smitten, and so are we as viewers. Their chemistry gives the film an emotional anchor that keeps it from just being a string of comedy stunts. Who knew they’d be this good together?

Then you add Eddie Murphy as Russell, and suddenly you’ve got comedy gold. The dynamic between Russell and Travis is chaotic in the best way. Russell is the seasoned, no-nonsense armored truck vet, and Travis is the jittery, overly enthusiastic new guy. They clash instantly, but that’s what makes them fun to watch. They bicker, bond, and eventually become this ridiculous, mismatched duo that you can’t help rooting for. Their scenes had me genuinely laughing out loud, especially because Murphy plays it so straight while Davidson is flailing around in his usual hilariously awkward way.

The opening bank scene is pure brilliance. Travis is doing his normal armored car pickup when Zoe shows up and asks to borrow his pen. He’s instantly taken with her, and she walks away, only to return with a note. He panics, thinking he’s being held up, and draws his gun in the middle of a crowded bank. Chaos breaks loose. Zoe stands frozen, confused. Travis keeps yelling at her, waving his weapon around, and demanding she show her hands. And the note? It just says, “Call Me” with a smiley face. This scene is outrageous, absurd, and absolutely hilarious.

Later, when Zoe and Travis meet at a club, they laugh about the mess of their first meeting. Travis still can’t believe she actually wanted to see him again. Zoe thought the whole thing was cute, and her playful confidence totally wins you over. Their interaction is sweet and awkward, with real emotional undertones. It’s the kind of date you know they’ll be talking about for the rest of their lives.

Meanwhile, we meet Russell’s wife, Natalie, played by Eva Longoria. Their relationship adds heart and maturity to the story. It’s their 25th wedding anniversary, and Russell plans a special dinner at the restaurant where they had their first date. These moments feel grounded and real, offering a contrast to all the chaos that’s about to unfold.

The next morning, Travis wakes up alone and late for work. He and Russell are paired for the day, and let’s just say, they don’t exactly click right away. Russell just wants to get through his shift and celebrate with his wife, while Travis is mentally still in Zoe-world. Their awkward conversations and clashing personalities make for some of the funniest exchanges in the movie.

Then comes the twist. Zoe isn’t just the romantic lead, she’s the mastermind behind an armored truck heist. This reveal caught me completely off guard, and I loved it. She’s not just the girl Travis is crushing on; she’s the one orchestrating the chaos. Her power, confidence, and strategy flip the entire plot on its head. The abandoned warehouse meeting scene with her crew, Miguel and Banner, has real tension. She walks in completely in control and commands respect. It’s not just a love story anymore, this woman has a mission, and she’s not playing around.

As if things couldn’t get more chaotic, Travis gets fired mid-route by his supervisor, Clark. Over the radio. While driving. The timing is ridiculous but also hilarious. Travis is spiraling emotionally, and then they’re attacked by Zoe’s crew. Tear gas floods the truck. The armored vehicle goes off-road. The action scenes are intense and funny, with money flying, tires screeching, and our two unlikely heroes barely holding it together.

Then Zoe does something insane , she jumps onto the back of the moving truck and climbs inside. The stunt is over-the-top, but it works because by now, we’re totally on board with the madness. Her reappearance raises the emotional stakes and complicates everything. Now she’s face-to-face with Travis again, but this time as his enemy, or is she?

The movie also gives us a hilarious and oddly touching scene where Travis and Natalie, while tied up, end up having a deep conversation about their lives. It sounds ridiculous, but it works. It’s one of those moments that reveals just how smart the writing is beneath all the chaos.

I also have to give props to Marshawn Lynch, who totally holds his own in the film. He brings unexpected charisma and adds to the ensemble’s quirky energy. His role is surprisingly fun, and I found myself smiling every time he was on screen.

As the film races toward its finale, the questions pile up. Will Zoe betray Travis or protect him? Will Russell uncover what’s really going on? Who leaked the truck’s route? What’s the true motive behind the heist? And what is Natalie going to do when she finds herself caught in the middle?

The ending manages to tie everything together with humor, heart, and a few twists you won’t see coming. It’s satisfying, a little silly, and completely on-brand for the kind of story this is. The final note, a surprise invite to Bali, might sound random now, but when you get there, it’ll make total sense and leave you grinning.

What makes The Pickup stand out is its bold mix of genres. It’s a romantic comedy, a buddy movie, an action heist, and a relationship drama all at once and somehow, it pulls it off. It never takes itself too seriously, but it still gives you characters you care about, moments you remember, and plenty of laughs along the way. It’s full of ridiculous scenarios that somehow feel grounded because of the heart behind the humor.

From the chaotic love story between Zoe and Travis, to the sweet, mature connection between Russell and Natalie, to the laugh-out-loud armored truck stunts and unexpected emotional turns, this movie is packed with surprises. The chemistry is great, the writing is sharp, and the tone is just wild enough to keep you hooked from beginning to end.

If you're looking for something fresh, funny, fast-paced, and a little bit out there, The Pickup is absolutely worth your time. It's one of the most entertaining romantic action comedies available on Prime Video right now, and it’ll leave you smiling, laughing, and maybe even booking a trip to Bali.

What did you think?

Change Image

• Loved it
• Hated it
• So/So