Murphy, Davidson, and Palmer Lead an Explosive Heist in 'The Pickup'
Top billing, big laughs, and wild twists—Amazon's 2025 original flick The Pickup throws Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson right into the messiest armored truck robbery you'll see this year. This action-comedy, helmed by Tim Story (the guy behind 'Barbershop' and 'Ride Along'), gives classic heist movies a fresh kick in the pants by putting two armored truck drivers in the hot seat against Keke Palmer’s sharp-minded criminal crew. Add Eva Longoria and Jack Kesy, and you’re talking about a cast that pulls you in for more than just the action.
The setup? Russell (Murphy) and Travis (Davidson) are armored truck drivers who can barely stand each other. Their routine job flips on its head when Palmer’s Zoe, a cool and calculated mastermind, leads a gang to crash their cash pickup. These aren't your usual smash-and-grab thieves—Zoe’s got a bigger game plan, and neither driver saw it coming. As bullets fly and tempers flare, these two have to rely on each other—awkward bickering included—to make it out alive and maybe save the day.
The mayhem’s not just on-camera. Production, which began in Atlanta in April 2024, faced real-life chaos when an armored truck used for filming smashed into a car during second-unit shooting. A few crew members landed in the hospital, stalling several scenes and pushing the creative team to juggle safety and tight schedules. The accident didn’t slow down the hype though; fans buzzed about the incident, only fueling curiosity for the finished movie.
Star Power, Risky Stunts, and Mixed First Impressions
What separates 'The Pickup' from other buddy-cop & heist flicks? The cast, for one: Eddie Murphy churns out his signature quick wit and one-liners, riffing off Davidson’s more awkward, self-deprecating humor. Keke Palmer shines as the ruthless yet oddly charismatic villain, while Eva Longoria and Jack Kesy keep the stakes high in supporting roles. For extra flavor, Ismael Cruz Córdova, retired NFL star Marshawn Lynch, and comic legend Andrew Dice Clay pop up in memorable cameos.
Amazon MGM Studios bet big with this project, hoping that a combo of star power and zippy action would score big with streaming audiences. The film dropped straight to Amazon Prime Video on August 6, 2025, so no theater lines or overpriced popcorn—just instant access. Early reviews? A lukewarm 5.4 rating on IMDb, with fans split on the blend of wild gags and tense chases. Some love the over-the-top stunts and Murphy-Davidson banter; others think the movie tries too hard to juggle laughs with life-or-death scenarios.
The buzz isn’t dying down, though. 'The Pickup' packs enough punchy moments and celebrity cameos to stand out in Amazon’s line-up, especially for anyone craving a heist that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Whether you dig laugh-out-loud chase scenes or just want to watch Murphy and Davidson riff off each other while dodging bullets, this one’s got you covered.
