- Release year: 2024
- Director: Paul Feig.
- Producers: Paul Feig, Laura Fischer, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Joe Roth.
- Screenplay by: Rob Yescombe.
- Cinematography by: John Schwartzman.
- Music by: Theodore Shapiro.
Synopsis: in a dystopic future, LA has a lottery in which the winner needs to survive for a day before they can claim their prize, anyone is invited to kill them during that time and get the money themselves.
Shotgun Commentary: incredibly feel-good movie considering the subject.
Review
Jackpot! is an action comedy in which a woman trying to regain her fame as an actress finds herself the target of every single LA citizen. Due to a silly accident fruit of her nerves during an audition, she enters the Grand Lottery competition, a game of chance in that differs greatly from the regular lotteries that take place worldwide nowadays. In this game, the winner can only receive the money if they survive until sundown. During this time, anyone who kills them can claim the fortune.
Paradox or parody?
Despite having a similar premise to 16 Blocks (2006), The Purge (2013), or John Wick’s excommunicado status (John Wick: Chapter 2, 2017; John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, 2019, and John Wick: Chapter 4, 2023), this movie is a hoot. Not to worry, your surprise is understandable. The matter of fact is that, despite having a very dark core, this is one of those features that are made to give you a good time and, surprisingly, they absolutely nail it.
The whole idea behind the Grand Lottery doesn’t feel too much of a stretch. In fact, if one is to think badly of humankind, having such a game in 2030 is perfectly plausible. Wild, cruel and immoral? Yes, but also completely unsurprising.
Source: Jackpot! (Paul Feig, 2024).
Having a government that makes money off a murder contest feels more feasible by the day in a country where basic human rights are being denied and guns can be carried around and used without any supervision. In fact, the only astonishing thing about the whole ordeal is that they can’t use firearms. Then again, it does make the feature a lot more interesting.
Party in the USA
As established, the theme alone doesn’t really scream comedy. Nevertheless, this impression changes when you learn about the cast. After a short but sweet cameo by Seann William Scott playing a rugged man literally called Rugged Man, you meet Awkwafina as Katie, a protagonist you’ll love instantly. Quite awkward and sassy, but pure of heart (essentially every Awkwafina role ever), Katie is relatable and charming from the very beginning, when she gets catfished by an Airbnb with an incredibly annoying hostess.
The deal is further sweetened by the presence of John Cena, a man who, much like Dwayne Johnson, has managed to make a successful jump from WWE into cinema thanks to a wonderful personality that fits perfectly in the genres of action and comedy. Neither of them actually acts much, but the couple is still hysterical and their adventure riveting. Cena’s ability to laugh at himself and everything else around him is brilliant and inspiring, adding a layer of tenderness and naivety that makes the story all the more endearing.
Simu Liu as a villain is… extremely amusing. Whether it’s the all-white outfit or the Ken (Barbie, 2023) resemblance, it is impossible to take him seriously in his role as Louis Lewis, which is perfect for a film like this. His resources feel overpowering enough without him having to be any other than a jerk. Honestly, Louis Lewis feels like a character made for Ronny Chieng. It has the exact same entitled *sshole vibes as the ones Chieng usually plays, so it is quite fun to see Liu in that role minus the other Kens.
All in all, Jackpot! is perfect to cheer you up on a bad day. As a parody of what the US might become, it is scary but so over-the-top you can’t help but have a great time with the story. The characters are magnetic and the action choreos absolutely spot-on. It is the perfect recipe for a feel-good action comedy.
Advice to take from this movie:
- Don’t enter competitions you don’t know.
- Always wear a helmet on a car chase.
- If you can’t do wax figures, don’t make a wax museum.
What’s your take? Have you watched Jackpot!? What’s your favourite action comedy?
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