You probably saw the trailer or saw it pop up on your Prime Video feed and thought, "Oh, another heist movie." Honestly, I thought the same thing at first. But once you actually sit down and watch The Pickup, you realize it’s trying to be a very specific kind of throwback. It’s not just a "movie with Eddie Murphy and Keke Palmer"—it’s a collision of three very different eras of Saturday Night Live energy.
The plot is deceptively simple. Russell (played by Eddie Murphy) is a veteran armored truck driver who is basically six months away from retirement. He’s the "by the book" guy. No music in the truck. No snacks. Just driving cash around and staying alive. Then he gets paired with Travis (Pete Davidson), a guy who is basically a walking HR violation. Their day goes sideways when a criminal mastermind named Zoe (Keke Palmer) ambushes them.
But here’s the thing: Zoe isn't just trying to rob them for the sake of a beach house in the Bahamas. The movie flips the script by making her more of a Robin Hood figure fighting corporate greed. It’s a weirdly modern twist on a very 1980s setup.
The Pickup: Why the Cast Matters More Than the Plot
If you look at the credits, it's a bit of a "Who’s Who" of people you wouldn't expect to see in the same room. You’ve got Andrew Dice Clay as the boss, Eva Longoria playing Eddie's wife, and even Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i showing up. It’s chaotic.
But the real heart of the Eddie Murphy and Keke Palmer movie—officially titled The Pickup—is the generational gap. Eddie Murphy is playing the "straight man" here. It’s a bit jarring if you grew up watching him as the fast-talking Axel Foley. In this film, he’s more like the Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon. He’s tired. He’s seen it all.
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Keke Palmer, on the other hand, is the absolute engine of this movie. While Pete Davidson does his usual "I’m just happy to be here" routine, Keke brings this high-octane, theater-kid energy that actually forces Murphy to wake up. There’s a scene where she does a Vampires in Brooklyn impression right to his face, and you can tell Eddie is genuinely losing it. That’s the kind of chemistry you can’t fake with a script.
What the Critics Are Missing
The reviews have been... well, mixed. Some people say Eddie Murphy is "sleepwalking" through the role. I disagree. I think he’s playing a character who is literally exhausted by life, which is a choice. He’s 64 years old in real life; he shouldn’t be jumping over fences like it’s 1984.
The movie was directed by Tim Story. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he did Barbershop and Ride Along. He knows how to film two people in a car talking trash to each other. That’s his bread and butter. The problem is that sometimes the action feels a bit "streaming movie-ish"—you know, that slightly flat look where everything is a bit too bright?
However, the stunt work has a real-world weight to it. You might remember hearing about an accident on the set in Georgia back in 2024 where several crew members were injured during a truck stunt. When you see those armored vehicles flipping on screen, it’s not all CGI. Knowing what went into those scenes makes the "action" part of this action-comedy feel a lot more earned.
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Is It Worth Your Saturday Night?
Look, is this going to win an Oscar? No. Is it better than Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F? Probably not. But as a "something to watch while I eat pizza" movie, it’s solid.
The dynamic between Travis and Zoe is actually the most interesting part. They have this weird "meet-cute" that involves a misunderstanding at a bank where Travis thinks Zoe is robbing the place, but she was really just asking for a pen. It’s absurd. It’s stupid. But in the world of Tim Story comedies, it kind of works.
Key Details You Should Know:
- Director: Tim Story
- Runtime: 94 minutes (blessedly short)
- Where to watch: Prime Video (released August 6, 2025)
- Standout performance: Keke Palmer (she’s the only one who feels like she’s in a high-stakes heist)
One thing that really stands out is the soundtrack. Christopher Lennertz did the music, and it has this funky, propulsive vibe that keeps the energy up even when the dialogue leans a bit too heavily on "old guy doesn't understand young guy" tropes.
What Most People Get Wrong
People keep calling this an "Eddie Murphy movie." It’s really an ensemble piece. If you go in expecting a solo Eddie Murphy vehicle, you’ll be disappointed. He’s the anchor, but Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson are the ones doing the heavy lifting in terms of the plot's momentum.
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Also, the "villain" aspect of Keke's character is much more nuanced than the trailers suggest. She’s not "evil." She’s motivated by something that actually makes sense in 2026. Without spoiling the ending, let’s just say the "cargo" in the truck isn't just stacks of twenty-dollar bills.
If you’re looking for a way to spend 90 minutes without overthinking your life choices, The Pickup is a decent bet. It’s got enough laughs to justify the runtime, and seeing Keke Palmer go toe-to-toe with a comedy legend like Eddie Murphy is worth the price of admission (or, well, the price of your Prime subscription).
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the chemistry: Pay attention to the scene where Keke Palmer's character, Zoe, first interacts with Russell. It's a masterclass in how to play a villain who is secretly the most likable person in the room.
- Check out the stunts: Since you know about the real-life production accidents now, watch the second-act chase sequence. You can really tell which parts are practical and which are digital.
- Compare the eras: If you've got time, watch an episode of SNL from the early 80s (Eddie), the 2010s (Pete), and Keke's hosting stint. It makes the "vibe" of the movie much clearer.
The film serves as a reminder that Eddie Murphy is entering his "elder statesman" era of comedy, and honestly? He’s earned the right to let the younger kids run around while he provides the dry, sarcastic commentary from the driver's seat.