Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably remember the posters. Martin Lawrence, fresh off the massive success of Big Momma's House, standing back-to-back with the legendary Danny DeVito. It looked like a total slam dunk. Two titans of comedy. A heist gone wrong. A petty war over a piece of jewelry. On paper, Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito were the duo we didn't know we needed.
Then the movie actually came out.
What's the Worst That Could Happen? hit theaters in June 2001, and the title turned out to be a bit too prophetic. It didn't just underperform; it kind of vanished into the bargain bins of history. But here's the thing: in 2026, the way we look at "failed" comedies has totally shifted. People are revisiting this weird, chaotic clash of styles and realizing it’s a lot more fascinating than the critics let on at the time.
The Heist That Started a War
The plot is basically a petty person's fever dream. Martin Lawrence plays Kevin Caffery, a professional thief who is actually pretty good at what he does until he tries to rob Max Fairbanks, played by DeVito. Max is a billionaire media mogul who is basically a legal criminal himself.
The twist? Max catches Kevin in the act. But instead of just calling the cops and being done with it, Max decides to be a jerk. He sees a ring on Kevin's finger—a gift from Kevin's girlfriend, Amber (played by Carmen Ejogo)—and tells the police it's actually his. He steals from the thief.
That one act of billionaire pettiness sparks a full-scale war.
It’s not about the money. Kevin is a thief; he can steal more stuff. It’s about the "lucky" ring and the principle of the thing. What follows is a series of escalating revenge plots that involve everything from sabotaging Senate hearings to ruining public auctions.
Why the Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito Pairing Was So Weird
The biggest complaint back in the day was that these two felt like they were in two different movies. Roger Ebert, who wasn't exactly a fan, pointed out that DeVito played it sharp and cynical, while Lawrence was doing his signature high-energy, physical "mime and jive" routine.
They didn't have that polished Lethal Weapon chemistry. It was abrasive.
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But looking back? That's kind of why it works. They aren't supposed to be friends. They are two stubborn, ego-driven men who refuse to back down. The friction between Lawrence’s frantic energy and DeVito’s controlled, mean-spirited snark creates a genuine sense of mutual loathing that you don't always get in "buddy" comedies.
A Supporting Cast That Deserved Better
Seriously, look at this roster:
- John Leguizamo as Berger, Kevin’s right-hand man.
- The late, great Bernie Mac as Uncle Jack.
- William Fichtner playing a flamboyant detective who is, quite frankly, doing a lot.
- Nora Dunn and Glenne Headly holding down the fort as the women who are tired of these men acting like toddlers.
Bernie Mac, in particular, steals every single scene he’s in. This was right before The Bernie Mac Show blew up, and you can see that raw, untouchable comedic timing on full display.
The Numbers vs. The Vibe
The movie cost about $60 million to make. It made back maybe $38 million worldwide. That's a "flop" by Hollywood standards. The critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a dismal 10%, which feels a little harsh when you consider some of the stuff that passes for comedy these days.
Most of the hate came from the script. It was loosely based on a book by Donald E. Westlake, part of his famous Dortmunder series. Fans of the books hated that they changed the main character's name and shifted the tone to fit a "Martin Lawrence Movie" mold.
But if you ignore the source material and just watch it as a late-night cable movie, it’s actually pretty fun. It’s mean. It’s loud. It’s deeply cynical about rich people and criminals alike.
Why We’re Still Talking About It in 2026
We live in the era of the "comfort watch." People are tired of over-processed, 3-hour superhero epics. There is something refreshing about a 95-minute comedy where the stakes are just a ring and two guys being absolute jerks to each other.
Social media has also given the film a second life. You’ve probably seen clips of Bernie Mac or Martin Lawrence’s facial expressions circulating as memes. The "vibe" of the movie—that colorful, slightly surreal 2001 aesthetic—has become a nostalgic sweet spot.
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Also, let’s be real: we don't get pairings like Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito anymore. Studios are too scared to take two wildly different comedic leads and just throw them into a room together to see what happens. It was an experiment. Maybe it didn't "work" for everyone, but it had more personality than half the stuff on streaming platforms right now.
What You Should Do Next
If you haven't seen it in twenty years, it’s worth a re-watch with low expectations and a high appreciation for early-2000s chaos. You can usually find it streaming on platforms like Max or available for rent on Amazon.
Pay attention to:
- Bernie Mac's scenes: He’s the undisputed MVP.
- William Fichtner's performance: It is one of the strangest acting choices in a mainstream comedy, and it’s mesmerizing.
- The wardrobe: The fashion is a perfect time capsule of 2001 "cool."
Don't go in expecting a cinematic masterpiece. Go in expecting two legends of the genre trying to out-act each other in a movie that doesn't care if you like it or not. Sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of energy a weekend afternoon needs.
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Check your favorite streaming app—this one is a lot better when you're not paying $15 at a theater and just want a laugh at home.