1 min readWe've just got the first look at Prime Video's heist comedy The Pickup, and it looks like a modern take on Seth Rogen's early films.
It follows two armoured truck drivers, Russell (Eddie Murphy) and Travis (Pete Davidson) who are held up by career criminal Zoe (Keke Palmer). She's not just after the cash though, and these conflicting personalities get pulled off the highway and into some high-risk stakes.
The film folds action with comedy, and from the early shots it reminds me of the Rogen classic, Pineapple Express. While this one doesn't seem to be stoner driven, Davidson and Murphy have the same chaotic energy we saw from Seth Rogen and James Franco in the 2008 jaunt. A wholly unequipped comedic duo thrown into the action? It has worked before.
What I loved about Rogen's earlier work, and something that I believe makes it resonate with audiences is it's heart. While Pineapple Express was a buddy comedy action flick, beneath the nonsense and gunshots it was a story about adult friendship. About loneliness and companionship. It will be interesting to see if The Pickup manages this same audience connection.
Even if it doesn't, the film promises high-octane action with a hilarious cast in a tight 1 hour and 34 minutes run time. The Pickup is a Prime Video exclusive, and will hit the streamer on August 6, 2025.
