Kevin Hart is back, but it's not exactly the high-octane heist energy we saw in Lift. Honestly, if you've been following his career lately, you know he’s been bouncing between being a serious "actor" and the high-pitched, fast-talking comedy legend we all met in Ride Along. His latest project, 72 Hours, feels like a massive pivot back to those roots.
It's a Netflix original. Again.
The premise is basically every middle-aged guy's nightmare or fantasy, depending on how much you like sleep. Hart plays Joe, a 40-year-old dad and executive whose career is, well, flailing. Through a classic "wrong email" or "wrong group text" blunder—the movie seems to lean into the group chat chaos—he gets looped into a bachelor party plan for a bunch of twenty-somethings. Instead of doing the normal thing and exiting the chat, he goes.
Why 72 Hours is the Ride Along Reunion We Needed
If the vibe feels familiar, it’s because Tim Story is directing. This is their fifth time working together. Think back to Think Like a Man or the Ride Along franchise; that's the DNA here.
Most people didn't realize that 72 Hours actually came from a script written nearly a decade ago. It’s been sitting in a drawer while Hart was busy becoming a billionaire mogul. The writers behind it are the same guys who did Cobra Kai—Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. That explains the specific blend of nostalgia and absolute, unfiltered chaos.
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The movie was filmed mostly in New Jersey and Miami throughout the summer of 2025. It’s got that glossy, high-budget Netflix sheen, but the comedy is supposedly much grittier than his recent family-friendly stuff. It’s scheduled for a summer 2026 release, aiming for that "lazy Saturday night watch" sweet spot.
The Cast: It's Not Just a One-Man Show
Kevin Hart is the engine, but the supporting cast is what makes this interesting. You’ve got:
- Marcello Hernández: The SNL breakout who is everywhere right now.
- Mason Gooding: Bringing that Scream and Love, Victor energy to the "younger" side of the bachelor party.
- Teyana Taylor: Who honestly steals every scene she's in, regardless of the genre.
- Michael Mando: Known as Nacho Varga from Better Call Saul, playing a character named Jaze.
Seeing Hart interact with the "Gen Z" cast is the whole point of the movie. It’s a collision of comedy styles. Hart is doing his frantic, "I can still hang" routine while the younger guys look at him like he’s a fossil.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Is Kevin Hart Still Funny?
Let’s be real for a second. There’s a segment of the internet that thinks Kevin Hart has "sold out." His recent stand-up special, Acting My Age, got some heat for being too "safe." People miss the raw energy of Laugh At My Pain.
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72 Hours is his attempt to prove he hasn't lost that edge. By putting himself in a R-rated (or at least TV-MA) bachelor party setting in Miami, he’s trying to recapture the "wild Kevin" that made him a superstar. It’s a risk. If it feels too rehearsed, it’ll flop. But if he lets loose and actually leans into the "old guy trying to be cool" trope with some self-awareness, it could be his best Netflix project yet.
The plot isn't just about drinking and bad decisions, though. There’s a subplot where the Best Man, played by Nick, has an ulterior motive. He invited Joe specifically to show his friend Mason that "domestic life" is a trap, hoping the wedding will be called off. It’s a bit cynical, which actually helps ground the movie so it's not just 90 minutes of yelling.
What This Means for Hart’s Career in 2026
This film is part of that massive deal between Sony and Netflix. Sony produces, Netflix streams. It’s a machine.
But for Hart, it’s a check-in. He’s been trying to do more serious stuff like True Story (the limited series with Wesley Snipes) and Fatherhood. Those were fine. Good, even. But the world usually wants Kevin Hart to be the guy screaming while something explodes or while he’s being chased by a dog. 72 Hours gives him the chance to do the comedy he’s best at while acknowledging his real-life age.
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How to Prepare for the Release
If you want to get the most out of 72 Hours when it drops this summer, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, don't expect Ocean's Eleven. This isn't Lift. It’s a character-driven comedy about a guy having a mid-life crisis in a Miami club. Second, keep an eye on the chemistry between Hart and Marcello Hernández. Rumor from the set is that their improv sessions were long and frequently went off the rails—that’s usually where the best Hart moments come from.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Revisit the Tim Story catalog: If you haven't seen Ride Along in a while, watch it. It’ll give you a sense of the pacing you can expect here.
- Check the Netflix "Summer Slate" teasers: Netflix usually drops the first real footage of their summer blockbusters in April or May.
- Watch the supporting cast's work: Check out Marcello Hernández’s recent SNL sketches or Mason Gooding in Scream VI to see the different comedy styles that will be clashing with Hart's.
Basically, 72 Hours is Kevin Hart's way of saying he's not ready to move into "grandpa roles" just yet, even if he is the oldest guy at the party.