Jackpot! (2024) is directed by Paul Feig and stars Awkwafina, John Cena, Simu Liu, Ayden Mayeri, Donald Elise Watkins, Murray Hill, Becky Ann Baker, Dolly De Leon, Adam Ray, and Machine Gun Kelly. The film takes place in the near future and follows Katie (Awkwafina), a struggling actor who’s selected as the winner of “The Grand Lottery” – a contest where the winner is forced to survive until sundown while being hunted by anyone and everyone who wishes to steal her prize. Katie is forced to join forces with Noel (Cena), an amateur “jackpot protector,” in order to make it to sundown alive. 

The comedic performances by Awkwafina and Cena are pretty much what a person has come to expect. They do little to win over new fans, but if you’re already partial to either of them, they’re sure to satisfy. I’m personally neutral about both of them, but I do have to say I’m impressed by Awkwafina’s unique style of physical comedy. There’s something effectively silly about her short, uncoordinated physique that almost reminds me of Charlie Chaplin. Why is she able to perform high-level kung fu with zero training? Who knows, but it is funny to watch. 

The film has zero interest in taking itself seriously and normally this wouldn’t be an issue. However, the story inherently begs for a dark edge and the script just isn’t interested in going in that direction. Instead, it goes for a tone that feels unoriginal and at best reminiscent of a crappy 80s action-comedy. It’s all pretty goofy and zero no interest in logic or reality. The viewer can’t help but wonder why Katie wouldn’t just grab a water bottle and some snacks and go hide under the bleachers of a football field somewhere. However, these kinds of plot holes are easy to forgive when considering the fact that the movie seems self-aware about them. For example, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the fact that Katie sees on her phone that she won the lottery and then wonders in the next scene why people are trying to kill her. It’s undeniably lazy but entertaining nonetheless.    

The jokes come flying at the viewer at a breakneck pace, but unfortunately, few of them stick the landing. They’re all very stupid – as if the script’s idea of comedy is just profanity-laced rants. It’s so interested in throwing a crappy joke around every two minutes that it forgets about developing any of its characters. It’s not as if I expected strong characters in a movie like this, but it’s also an element that improves the quality of any movie if implemented. By the time the credits roll, the film’s relentless energy will have put a smile on the viewer’s face, but that’s about it. It’s goofy but lacks any true belly laughs. 
  

Overall, this is a completely forgettable action-comedy that will only appeal to hardcore fans of either Awkwafina or John Cena. Director Paul Feig has made some strong comedies in the past, so it’s disappointing that this film feels so generic and amateurish. It’s goofy all around and doesn’t take itself seriously in the slightest. Yes, it’s dumb, but if dumb is what you’re looking for, you could do a lot worse. C–