The Pickup (2025)

Brent Marchant August 4, 2025

★ 5/10

Heist movies – particularly those with a finely honed comic edge – have become one of the most popular and enjoyable genres in today’s cinematic marketplace. And, when they’re done right, they can be a lot of fun, too. However, to succeed as solid entertainment vehicles (not to mention works of good filmmaking), their creators need to combine their films’ various elements with smart, savvy, razor sharp precision, something that director Tim Story’s latest offering only gets down pat about half the time. When Zoe (Keke Palmer), a shrewd, scheming, seductive thief, hatches an elaborate plan to hijack an armored car for use in stealing the weekend receipts from an Atlantic City casino, she taps a variety of resources to make it work, including gathering inside information from a bumbling security guard/driver, Travis (Pete Davidson), during a convincingly staged romantic encount…

Manuel São Bento August 7, 2025

★ 3/10

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/the-pickup-movie-review-the-art-of-wasting-good-talent/ "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

r96sk September 8, 2025

★ 6/10

'The Pickup' ended up being better than I thought it was going to be early on. Still not a good movie, mind you. Obviously the writing et al. lets this one down just as much, but it was more visually that made me care less about it - it's an ugly film, especially 'inside' that damn truck. The world of film didn't feel lived in either, namely on that long highway; I know they mention it'll be a "ghost town" but that's a cop-out. The pairing, meanwhile, of Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson is narrowly passable, albeit arguably. Davidson is the better, Murphy underwhelms. Keke Palmer is the star of this particular show, her performance gave the flick the required energy anyway. Eva Longoria is alright, at least for the forgettable role that she is given. The characters of Jack Kesy and Ismael Cruz Córdova are exactly that too, despite having potential to be decent. It's the ending th…

Kashifzia February 22, 2026

★ 9/10

**"The Pickup" (2025)** absolutely caught me off guard! Based on the trailer, I expected a simple heist movie about a truck robbery, but it turned out to be so much more. It’s a brilliant blend of mind-blowing comedy and high-stakes action that keeps you hooked from start to finish. **Key Highlights:** **Flawless Pacing:** The movie never feels slow. It’s fast-paced and engaging, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. **Top-Tier Action & Visuals:** The vehicle chasing scenes and overall action choreography were outstanding. What impressed me most was the visual quality; the stunts felt incredibly "real" and gritty, avoiding that artificial "indoor studio" or heavy CGI feel. **Beyond the Trailer:** While the trailer suggested a straightforward truck heist, the actual plot is far more layered and thrilling. The suspense elements were a great addition, making it a much more s…