Jackpot Movie Review: A shallow take on consumer culture

Jackpot! on Amazon Prime attempts to blend action, comedy, and social satire into an entertaining package. Unfortunately, what we get is a film that stumbles through its premise, missing the mark in nearly every aspect. Directed by Paul Feig, known for his work on Bridesmaids and Spy, Jackpot! feels like a chaotic mess that’s more frustrating than fun.

A Promising Concept with Poor Execution

The film is set in a dystopian Los Angeles where the economy has collapsed, and the only hope for the city’s desperate inhabitants is a dangerous lottery. The premise of the “Grand Lottery” — a multimillion-dollar jackpot with the deadly condition that the winner must survive a citywide hunt until sundown — promises an intense and thrilling experience. However, the execution is far from engaging. The movie borrows heavily from concepts seen in The Purge and Squid Game, but rather than adding something new, it rehashes these ideas without the sharp commentary or tension that made those works successful.

A Disjointed Narrative Filled with Forced Humor

Feig’s direction swings erratically between chaotic action sequences and forced humor, creating a disjointed viewing experience. The frantic editing of the action scenes makes it difficult to follow who is fighting whom, and what’s at stake, leading to a sense of confusion rather than excitement. The humor, often mistimed and superficial, fails to land, leaving viewers cringing rather than laughing. Attempts at satire fall flat, reducing the film’s commentary on consumer culture to shallow, surface-level jabs.

Underutilized Talent: Awkwafina and John Cena

Awkwafina stars as Katie, a washed-up child star who stumbles into a winning lottery ticket, turning her into the target of every desperate resident in Los Angeles. While Awkwafina has proven her comedic abilities in other films, Jackpot! squanders her talent. Katie is an irritating mix of naivety and occasional smarts, and her journey through the film is more frustrating than endearing. The character’s constant ill-advised quips and pop-culture references make it hard to root for her survival, as she lacks any real agency or depth.

John Cena, playing Noel, a muscle-bound “protection agent,” offers his services to Katie in exchange for a cut of the winnings. Cena’s natural charisma and knack for physical comedy could have made him a highlight of the film, but the script fails to capitalize on his strengths. The jokes rarely land, and moments of genuine tension are consistently undercut by poorly timed gags. Noel’s character had the potential to be a delightful presence in the film, but instead, he becomes just another missed opportunity in a series of them.

A Forgettable Supporting Cast and Cameos

The supporting cast, including Simu Liu as a shady corporate security CEO, does little to elevate the film. Liu’s character is a one-dimensional villain, adding nothing memorable to the story. The film also features an inexplicable cameo by Machine Gun Kelly, whose appearance does nothing more than contribute to the film’s overall B-grade feel. His brief role, involving disturbing and unnecessary imagery, serves only to remind viewers of the production’s low quality.

Verdict: Another Forgettable Streaming Entry

Jackpot! is yet another example of a film that will likely be lost in the ever-expanding library of forgettable streaming content. Despite a promising premise, the film’s shallow take on consumer culture, disjointed narrative, and underutilized cast result in a movie that’s more mind-numbing than entertaining. Even if you’re looking for a way to kill a couple of hours, there are far better options available. By the time the obligatory blooper reel rolls — which, ironically, turns out to be more entertaining than the film itself — you’ll likely be relieved that it’s finally over.

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