Tim Story’s new movie The Pickup had all the makings of a big crowd-pleaser: Eddie Murphy back in a buddy-comedy role, Pete Davidson as his younger, goofy partner, and a mix of action and laughs. On paper, it sounded like a hit. But once it landed on screens, the internet—especially Twitter—had a very different take.
A lot of fans walked away disappointed, saying the film just didn’t live up to the hype. Sure, everyone was excited to see Eddie Murphy doing his classic buddy dynamic again, but instead of feeling fresh or exciting, many viewers thought it came across as lazy, predictable, and even kind of dull.
One Twitter user didn’t hold back, saying:
“THE PICKUP is yet another example of how wasted talent, a lack of ambition & creative laziness result in a film that fails on almost every level.”
And honestly, that seemed to sum up the general vibe online. People weren’t impressed with the storyline, and many pointed out that Murphy and Davidson—who should have been a fun, oddball pairing—just didn’t click together the way audiences were hoping.
The Plot (and Why People Found It Flat)
In the movie, Eddie Murphy plays Russell, a seasoned armored truck guard who knows the ropes. Pete Davidson plays Travis, the overeager rookie who’s got energy to spare but not a lot of common sense. The idea was to mash up buddy-comedy banter with action-packed sequences, but most folks felt the final product was bland.
One viewer summed it up bluntly:
“Really boring and generic action comedy that doesn’t offer anything new or thrilling at all.”
Others went even harsher. Someone gave it a brutal “0.2 out of 10,” while another person shrugged it off as “a fine, fun, ultimately forgettable piece of generic action comedy fluff.”
Bright Spots: Keke Palmer and Eva Longoria
Not everything was a flop. Keke Palmer, who plays Zoe—a mysterious character with her own hidden motives—was one of the few standouts. Fans said she lit up the screen whenever she appeared, even though the script didn’t give her much depth to work with.
Eva Longoria, playing Russell’s wife, also got some nods of approval. But her character’s storyline was called “unrealistic” by many, and people were frustrated that she was barely used.
In the end, even with a few strong performances, most people online felt The Pickup was a wasted opportunity. With Eddie Murphy’s name attached, they were expecting something bold, hilarious, or at least memorable—but instead, it landed with a thud.
