Jackpot!

The action genre remains one of the most tired and bloated, often resigned to the annals of the straight-to-DVD aisle. But trust Paul Feig to rejuvenate this tried and tested formula, offering high-octane comedic caper Jackpot! as an antidote to action fatigue.

In a plot that can best be described as The Purge meets Rat Race, a not-too-distant dystopian future sees the state of California introduce the “Grand Lottery” in the wake of a cost of living crisis; locals may then hunt down the lottery winner with impunity, and whoever kills them before sundown wins the jackpot. Aspiring actress Katie (Awkwafina), who is merely visiting Los Angeles in the hopes of realising her showbiz dreams, is the unsuspecting golden ticket-holder forced to fend off avaricious locals. Among the horde of armed Angelinos is benevolent beefcake Noel (John Cena), who offers protection for lottery winners in exchange for a percentage of the winnings – if they both make it out alive, that is.

The film flows at breakneck speed, seamlessly dashing from one action-packed set piece to the next. In a post-screening Q&A, Feig exalted Jackie Chan as one of his greatest inspirations; in his heyday, the action legend was invariably positioned as the unwitting, well-meaning quarry blindsided by enemy combatants. Chan’s influence certainly shows, with Jackpot! excelling as a tale of the likeable everywoman fortuitously thrust into pandemonium. This is in large part due to the expertly cast leads, whose masterful performances compensate for the film’s emphasis on action in lieu of risible dialogue.    

As the man behind Bridesmaids and the Ghostbusters reboot, Feig has long been a champion of women in comedy, and Awkwafina steals the show as Katie. She and Cena have an effortless rapport, as their onscreen counterparts grapple with the absurdity of their plight. Following his fleeting yet memorable stint as a merman in last year’s Barbie, Cena has proven himself a reliable comedic presence on the big screen, swapping kayfabe for celluloid. His Barbie co-star Simu Liu also shines as the smarmy Lewis, who’s the literal embodiment of “trust me, bro”.

Jackpot! is a highly enjoyable homage to the classic action flicks of old, albeit with a thoroughly modern twist.

Antonia Georgiou

Jackpot! is released on Prime Video on 15^th August 2024.

Watch the trailer for Jackpot! here: