The Pickup (2025) Movie Review – Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer, and Pete Davidson in a Vegas Heist That Almost Delivers

 

When a movie stars Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and Keke Palmer, expectations run high. That’s exactly what drew me to The Pickup (2025) on sflix.film — the promise of a star-powered Las Vegas heist with humor, chaos, and style. But like many flashy Vegas shows, not everything shines as brightly as the lights on the Strip.

The Setup

Russell Hatch (Eddie Murphy) is a seasoned armored truck driver counting down the days to retirement. He’s calm, calculated, and knows the job inside out. Enter Danny (Pete Davidson), his new rookie partner who is as talkative as he is clumsy. Before long, they cross paths with Zoe (Keke Palmer), a sharp and magnetic con artist with a plan to rob a casino of $60 million.

What follows is a high-stakes, sometimes comedic, sometimes chaotic ride through the streets and casinos of Las Vegas.

The Cast and Characters

The film’s biggest selling point is its cast.

• Eddie Murphy delivers a subdued performance, playing Russell with a calm, almost weary energy. It’s a departure from the energetic Murphy we know, and while it works in moments, it sometimes leaves the film feeling slower than it should.

• Pete Davidson brings his trademark awkward humor as Danny. His interactions with Murphy provide some light laughs, but their comedic timing doesn’t always sync up.

• Keke Palmer is the standout here. Zoe is confident, quick-witted, and endlessly watchable. Palmer brings charisma and unpredictability to every scene, stealing attention whenever she’s on screen.

Strengths

When the movie works, it works because of the cast’s chemistry in small moments and the vibrancy of the Vegas setting. The heist sequences, while not groundbreaking, are entertaining enough to keep you invested. There’s a satisfying tension during the casino scenes, and the glitz of the city is captured well.

Costume design also deserves a nod — especially Zoe’s sleek, bold outfits that match her sharp personality.

Weaknesses

The biggest issue lies in the pacing. The first act drags as the film tries to establish backstories without delivering enough humor or tension to keep the momentum going.

There’s also a tonal mismatch. One minute, it’s a lighthearted comedy, and the next, it’s playing like a gritty crime drama. Movies like True Lies have shown this can work, but here it sometimes feels disjointed.

What IMDB Reviewers Are Saying

IMDB’s audience seems split.
Some reviewers appreciate the fun vibe and flashy setting, praising Keke Palmer’s performance as the highlight. Others call the script uneven, pointing out that it doesn’t fully commit to being either a comedy or a thriller.

One user summed it up perfectly:

“It’s a Netflix-style movie you watch while doing something else — fun enough, but nothing groundbreaking.”

That feels accurate.

Final Verdict

If you go into The Pickup expecting a slick, laugh-out-loud heist comedy, you might be disappointed. But if you treat it as a casual, entertaining watch, it has its charms — mainly Keke Palmer’s magnetic performance and the Vegas backdrop.

It’s the kind of movie you put on for the cast and the vibe, not for a tightly written plot.

Should You Stream It?

Yes — but with the right expectations. If you want a light watch with familiar faces and a splash of Vegas flash, The Pickup is worth checking out. And if you’re ready to see it for yourself, you can stream it on sflix.film.

Overall Rating:
Watch it for Keke Palmer. Stay for the occasional laugh. Just don’t expect it to reinvent the heist genre.