‘Jackpot!’ is an action-comedy with ‘lotto’ potential

“Jackpot!” is an American action-comedy directed by Paul Feig and written by Rob Yescombe. With an intriguing premise set in a not-so-distant dystopian future, the movie had the potential to be both a thrilling and hilarious ride — like a hybrid take of “The Running Man” and “The Purge.” However, it struggles to fully deliver on either front, leaving audiences with a sense of missed opportunity.

The story unfolds in a future California, ravaged by poor economic policies, high inflation and a deteriorating standard of living. Good thing nothing like that is going on right now, right? 

The movie’s plot focuses on Katie Kim (Awkwafina), a struggling actress who is new to Los Angeles, who unexpectedly wins the “Grand Lottery” only to discover the deadly twist attached to her newfound fortune. Under a new law, anyone holding a losing ticket can legally murder the winner before sundown and claim the prize for themselves. It’s a darkly humorous concept that seems tailor-made for tension and laughs, yet the film struggles to fully capitalize on this potential.

To survive long enough to enjoy her winnings, she teams up with Noel Cassidy (John Cena), an amateur lottery protection agent. Together, they must navigate the perilous streets of Los Angeles, evading a colorful array of would-be assassins who are eager to cash in on Katie’s billion-dollar prize. 

Awkwafina delights as Katie, bringing her trademark wit and relatability to a character who is clearly out of her depth but determined to survive. Her chemistry with John Cena’s Noel is one of the film’s highlights. Cena, playing the tough-but-goofy protector, is in his element, and his physicality adds a layer of authenticity to the action sequences. Their partnership, though predictable, is engaging and keeps the film entertaining, even when scenes falter. 

Simu Liu, cast as Noel’s slick rival, Louis Lewis, provides a compelling foil to Cena’s character. However, despite his undeniable screen presence, Liu’s talents feel underutilized with his role leaning more toward an obligatory antagonist than a fully developed character.

The supporting cast, including Ayden Mayeri as the eccentric Shadi, Donald Elise Watkins as DJ-turned-hacker Donald, and Sam Asghari as the no-nonsense Senior Agent Ash, add color to the film but are often sidelined by the relentless pace of the plot. Bobby Lee’s cameo as himself is a brief but memorable moment, injecting some self-aware humor into the mix.

“Jackpot!” impresses with its well-choreographed action scenes and creative set pieces, while Paul Feig’s direction ensures that the film moves at a brisk pace with moments of genuine suspense as Katie and Noel evade their pursuers. 

However, where “Jackpot!” stumbles is in its comedic elements. For a film marketed as an action-comedy, it surprisingly lacks the sharp humor one would expect. The jokes can often fall flat, and the attempts at satire and social commentary feel half-hearted, leaving the audience yearning for the biting wit or clever dialogue that could have elevated the film. It’s clear that much of the humor relies on improvisation, particularly from Awkwafina and Cena, but without a strong script to back them up, even their best efforts can’t quite land the punchlines.

The film also suffers from a sense of predictability with the formulaic plot unfolding exactly as viewers would expect. It’s as if the movie was crafted by an algorithm, ticking off boxes for action, tension and comedy but missing the human element that makes such a story truly engaging. Was the script written by AI after inputting a few prompts? One can’t help but wonder.

“Jackpot!” is a movie that tantalizes with its concept but may ultimately underwhelm audiences in execution. Awkwafina and John Cena do their best to breathe life into their roles, and there are moments of genuine excitement, but the movie’s lackluster humor and by-the-numbers storytelling prevent it from hitting the jackpot it so clearly aspires to be, delivering a moderately entertaining experience that fades from memory as quickly as it plays out on screen. ♦