The Pickup (2025)
π¬ The Pickup (2025) – Eddie Murphy & Pete Davidson Power a Prime Video Heist Comedy
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| Theatrical Release Poster |
π£ Quick Information
- Movie Name (Year): The Pickup (2025)
- Director: Tim Story
- Writers: Kevin Burrows & Matt Mider
- Producers: Tim Story, Eddie Murphy, John Davis, John Fox, Charisse Hewitt-Webster
- Production Companies: Amazon MGM Studios, The Story Company, Davis Entertainment, Eddie Murphy Productions
- Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios via Prime Video
- Runtime: 94 minutes
- Country: United States
- Language: English
- Rating: R (language, sexual content, violence)
π Release Date
- Streaming Premiere: Friday, August 6, 2025
- Production Timeline:
- March 2023: Amazon greenlit the project
- April 2024: Filming began in Atlanta
- April 20, 2024: A stunt accident occurred involving an armored truck, causing minor crew injuries. Safety review confirmed no violations.
⭐ Genre
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Heist
A high-energy blend of buddy comedy and heist thriller, filled with witty exchanges and adrenaline-pumping scenarios.
π Cast
- Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce
- Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly
- Keke Palmer as Zoe
- Eva Longoria as Natalie Pierce
- Andrew Dice Clay as Clark
- Marshawn Lynch as Chop Shop
- Jack Kesy as Banner
- Ismael Cruz CΓ³rdova as Miguel
- Roman Reigns as himself
- Jef Holbrook as Mike
π Plot
Russell Pierce is a seasoned armored truck driver, known for his dedication and calm under pressure. He's partnered with Travis Stolly, a young and unpredictable recruit who brings chaos wherever he goes. During a standard pickup, they are ambushed by a gang led by Zoe, a cunning mastermind with her eyes on a bigger prize.
Travis, unaware of Zoe's plan, is shocked to realize she was his one-night stand from the night before. Zoe coerces the duo into participating in a casino heist, threatening Russell’s family and Travis's freedom. What follows is a chaotic yet hilarious series of events, blending fast-paced action, clumsy mistakes, and razor-sharp banter. The movie climaxes in a high-octane casino sequence where loyalty, wit, and courage are tested.
π₯ Fan Buzz
The movie's trailer sparked a viral moment when Pete Davidson joked about Eddie Murphy’s age, igniting memes and TikTok trends. Fans were excited to see the generational comedic clash and applauded Keke Palmer's transformation into a serious villain. The online community buzzed with comments about the chemistry between the leads and the film’s energetic tone.
Critics highlighted the nostalgic value of Eddie Murphy's return and praised Tim Story’s direction. Davidson’s fanbase praised his comedic delivery, while Palmer’s performance drew acclaim for her menacing charm. The overall sentiment leaned positive, setting high expectations for the streaming release.
π¬ Facts
- Amazon greenlit the film in March 2023, seeing it as a star-driven summer hit.
- Tim Story, known for blending comedy and action, was attached early on.
- Principal photography took place in Atlanta under the code name “PKUP.”
- A significant stunt mishap occurred during filming but was quickly addressed.
- The score was composed by Christopher Lennertz.
- Cinematography was handled by Larry Blanford.
- The editing team was led by Craig Alpert.
- Runtime was kept at a tight 94 minutes to maintain pacing.
π Marketing Strategy
Amazon launched a multifaceted marketing campaign. The trailer dropped in early June 2025, immediately gaining traction online. Social media was used effectively, with short character reels, meme-worthy clips, and age-comparison challenges between Murphy and Davidson.
Cast interviews were scheduled on major talk shows. Murphy and Davidson's joint appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show was a highlight, emphasizing their chemistry and mutual respect. Palmer’s interviews focused on her shift from drama to action-comedy.
Prime Video also teased short clips during its July Prime Day campaign. These quick promos focused on the film's humor, action, and flashy visuals.
π¬ Behind-the-Scenes
Director Tim Story aimed to create a modern buddy heist film that paid homage to classics while feeling fresh. He focused on chemistry, keeping the film's tone light and accessible while delivering thrilling action sequences.
Murphy reportedly took an active role in shaping his character, adding layers of wisdom and deadpan humor. Davidson improvised many of his lines, often causing genuine laughter on set. Palmer underwent physical training to perform many of her stunts.
After the on-set accident, safety protocols were reviewed, ensuring the rest of the shoot was incident-free. Despite the challenge, production wrapped on schedule.
✂️ Deleted Scenes
- Extended Dialogue with Natalie: Several emotional scenes between Russell and his wife were cut for pacing.
- Casino Planning Montage: A detailed sequence of the crew planning the casino heist was trimmed.
- Travis's Flashbacks: Comedic flashbacks showing Travis’s life before joining the armored truck team were filmed but omitted.
- Chop Shop Showdown: A longer scene featuring Marshawn Lynch’s character was shortened.
π― Final Verdict
The Pickup is a fun, fast-paced film that knows exactly what it wants to be. It doesn’t aim for award-season prestige, but rather delivers a thrilling, entertaining ride. Murphy proves he still commands the screen, Davidson shows surprising range, and Palmer is magnetic as the villain.
The film thrives on its pacing and chemistry. It may not reinvent the genre, but it excels within its lane. Viewers looking for laughs, thrills, and sharp dialogue will find plenty to enjoy. The climax offers satisfying resolution while leaving the door open for a potential sequel.
More Insights
Cultural Relevance: The film taps into themes of age vs youth, experience vs instinct. It mirrors real-world dynamics between generations, especially in workplace settings.
Genre Comparison: It shares DNA with Ride Along, Bad Boys, and The Nice Guys. Fans of those films will appreciate the similar energy.
Streaming Strategy: Choosing Prime Video ensures wide accessibility. Releasing in August targets casual summer viewers looking for fun content.
Possible Franchise: Given the film's light tone and open ending, a sequel seems plausible if it performs well. The character arcs, especially Travis’s, leave room for growth.
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