February 9, 2025

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

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An Imperfect But Pleasant Watch — Jackpot! (Film Review)

A photo of John Cena ad Noel pointing a gun and Awkwafina as Katie in Jackpot!

Image: © Prime Video

It's something we have probably all fantasised about — winning the lottery, cashing in the jackpot and being set for life. However, in reality, the relatively slim chances of this happening burst that wishful bubble. 's comedy, Jackpot!, deep dives into what would happen if you were fortunate enough to find out you've cashed in the motherlode, but for the protagonist, it comes at a great expense.

Jackpot! is set in a futuristic world. It's 2030, and following a great depression The California Grand Lottery is born. Strapped for cash Los Angelenos are broke and an ever-growing alluring jackpot prize is piquing people's interest. The unlucky person in question is Katie Kim (), a former child actor who has arrived in the city on a mission to chase her dreams. You'd think having the golden ticket would solve all your problems. But for lottery winner Katie, this couldn't be farther from the truth.

The twist? She has until sunset to survive. If anyone kills her, the cash gets transferred to them. The rules? Only one: no guns allowed. Thankfully, Noel Cassidy (John Cena), a novice lottery protector, is on hand to help for a portion of her winnings. He's not alone, as professional protector Louis Lewis (Simu Liu) also wants a chunk of the jackpot prize.

For Director Paul Feig, the no gun element “allowed the film to be more fun and a totally physical comedy” film. Interestingly, both Cena and Awkwafina's names were already attached when Feig read the script, but it was revealed at a Q&A attended by FILMHOUNDS that Katie was written with Michelle Yeoh in mind. There are certainly comedic crossovers between Yeoh's Oscar-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) and Awkwafina as Katie. Both EEAAO and Jackpot! share absurd surreal comedy moments and silly slapstick humour that arguably makes little sense but does make you chuckle. Screenwriter Rob Yescombe's background in writing for games certainly gives the film a fun and outlandish feel.

For the writer-director duo, Jackie Chan was a huge influence in the development phase. Feig saw Jackpot! as his chance to make a piece of work similar to the standout films within the legendary actor's comedic catalogue. This is a high bar, even for someone as accomplished as Feig who has hits Bridesmaids (2011) and Spy (2015) under his belt, but Jackpot! does share some of those Jackie Chan-esque frantic high energy moments. The stunt sequences are slick and there's an anxious anticipation as to whether Katie and Noel will be able to get themselves out of the sticky situations they encounter.

Similar to Chan's films, the duo have to rely on unorthodox ways to solve problems and Jackpot! presents obstacle after obstacle.  It helps that stunt coordinators James Young and Alex Benevent's fast-paced choreography makes Noel and Katie's complicated stunts look easy. “Jackie Chan made a 40-year career of saying I don't want any trouble,” and in Jackpot! Katie and Noel are in comparable situations with danger finding them regardless. It's not about the “bloodshed but the circus performance,” Yescombe adds. The lack of CGI and every scene being shot in camera certainly enhances this and the film's spectacles.

One thing that stands out is the chemistry between Cena and Awkwafina. The pair's rapport simply shines on the screen. Unlike most films, Feig revealed that the cast and crew were able to almost shoot all the scenes in order.  The first scene we see the duo in is also the first film the pair shot together which helped “their relationship build naturally,” the director commented. Whether this was done on purpose or not is unknown, but it definitely has appeared to help cultivate an engaging on-screen relationship between the two lead characters.

For Yescombe, the duo's dynamic is the glue that holds everything together. “John and Nora [Awkwafina] give a very honest performance. It makes audiences want to laugh with them and lets you enjoy the jokes,” he exclaims. The comedic timing between the two is noticeably strong and they both indulge in very silly slapstick moments. Despite his certified Hollywood status, Feig expressed that it was refreshing when Cena told the director “he didn't have to make him look cool.” Feig certainly ran with that and Cena's over-exaggerated WWE background helps in cementing Jackpot!'s nutty comedy moments.

Jackpot! isn't perfect. There are silly moments that are incomprehensible, and Jackpot!'s absurdity is its strength and weakness. The pace starts off strong, but falls flat in the middle and towards the end.  And the multiple antagonists add an interesting element at first, but it's difficult keeping up with how many people Katie should be looking over her shoulder for. However, the bold stunts, high energy and chemistry between Awkwafina and Cena make it a pleasant watch.  Hopefully, it's not the last time we see this lively pair together on screen.

Jackpot! is available now on .