Alan Ritchson’s ‘Playdate’ Dominates Streaming Despite “Insufferable” Reviews

by

Alan Ritchson is known for his action roles on Prime Video, especially as Jack Reacher, and his newest project has quickly become a hit with viewers. Even though critics and audiences haven’t been thrilled with it, people are really enjoying this latest action movie, which pairs Ritchson with a very famous comedic actor.

Since its release on November 12th, the movie Playdate has consistently been the most-watched film on Prime Video. Starring Kaley Ritchson and Kevin James (known from Grown Ups and The King of Queens), the action comedy follows two dads who unexpectedly team up after a group of mercenaries disrupts their quiet suburban lives. The cast also includes Sarah Chalke, Alan Tudyk, Benjamin Pajak, Banks Pierce, Hiro Kanagawa, Stephen Root, and Isla Fisher. Luke Greenfield, who directed Half Brothers and Let’s Be Cops, directed the film, based on a screenplay by Neil Goldman (Shrinking).

Despite having a promising pair of leads and a fun concept, the new streaming film hasn’t been well-received by critics, earning some of the lowest scores of Jack Ritchson’s career. Currently, it has a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 reviews. However, audiences seem to enjoy it more, giving it a 60% score on the Popcornmeter. Overall, many people are still finding the film entertaining, especially given its positive performance on streaming platforms. Here’s what the movie is about:

Recently laid-off accountant Brian finds himself in a wild situation when a simple playdate with stay-at-home dad Jeff turns into a desperate fight for survival. What Brian expects to be an easy afternoon of chatting and playing football quickly becomes a chaotic chase as they’re pursued by dangerous mercenaries. Brian, completely unprepared for the action, bumbles his way through increasingly ridiculous challenges, while Jeff surprisingly seems ready for anything. Director Luke Greenfield cleverly mixes the everyday life of suburban dads with intense thrills, creating a hilarious and over-the-top adventure where minivans and hitmen collide.

Is a ‘Playdate’ Sequel in the Works?


Amazon MGM Studios

Currently, Amazon hasn’t officially said whether they’ll make a sequel to Playdate. However, given the film’s popularity on streaming and recent statements from the director, a follow-up seems likely in the near future. Director Luke Greenfield recently hinted that Playdate could become a large franchise, and Amazon appears eager to start working on a sequel. Greenfield and screenwriter Neil Goldman reportedly already have some ideas for the next installment.

This is a huge franchise, and everyone’s aware of that. As a writer and director, my main focus when starting a film is simply making it the best it can be. I don’t usually think about sequels right away; you need a strong first film to build on. Look at classics like Lethal Weapon and Beverly Hills Cop – those originals were amazing, and that’s what creates demand for more. Amazon is definitely ready to move forward, and I’ve already started discussing ideas with Neil. We have some really funny concepts for what could come next, and I expect things to progress quickly.

Read More

2025-11-17 21:40