New Action Comedy Fails to Entertain
Australian audiences looking for a lighthearted action comedy will be disappointed by Playdate, the latest offering now streaming on Prime Video. Released on November 13 2025, this film brings together Kevin James and Alan Ritchson in what should have been an entertaining buddy comedy but instead falls flat.
Plot and Performance Problems
The story follows stepdad Brian, played by Kevin James, who takes his son Lucas to play with another father-son duo they meet at the park. The other father, Jeff, is portrayed by Alan Ritchson, best known for his role in Reacher. What begins as an ordinary playdate quickly turns into a chaotic adventure when it's revealed that Jeff is actually a former special operations soldier, and the child CJ is someone he rescued from a mysterious facility.
Director Luke Greenfield and writer Neil Goldman deliver a film that primarily consists of car chases and fight scenes, with most of the comedy failing to land effectively. The editing has been particularly criticized for obvious continuity errors and poorly concealed stunt doubles.
Wasted Talent and Potential
While Ritchson shows glimpses of his comedic talent that Reacher fans rarely get to see, the material simply doesn't do him justice. Kevin James delivers his usual reliable performance but fails to bring anything memorable to the role. The supporting cast includes several surprisingly big names in small roles, including Sarah Chalke as Brian's wife Emily and Isla Fisher as the leader of the local "mama mafia."
Other notable appearances include Stephen Root as Jeff's father, Alan Tudyk as a tech billionaire, and Paul Walter Hauser in what amounts to little more than a cameo role.
With a runtime of 94 minutes and an M rating, Playdate represents a missed opportunity to create something genuinely entertaining. Despite a few decent soundtrack choices and occasional chuckles, the film ultimately fails to deliver the clever writing or consistent comedy that audiences expect from this genre.
