‘Playdate’ Review (Amazon Prime)
Stars: Kevin James, Alan Ritchson, Banks Pierce, Benjamin Pajak, Alan Tudyk, Sarah Chalke, Stephen Root, Isla Fisher, Hiro Kanagawa | Written by Neil Goldman | Directed by Luke Greenfield
Debuting this week on Amazon Prime, Playdate is an easygoing, family-friendly action-comedy that pairs Kevin James and Alan Ritchson in a surprisingly charming odd-couple double act. While it’s not trying to reinvent the buddy-movie formula, it leans confidently into its own mix of suburban silliness and low-stakes adventure, delivering a film that’s far more fun than it initially appears.
James plays Brian, a recently unemployed forensic accountant still learning the rhythms of stay-at-home-dad life. His attempts to bond with his stepson are awkward but genuinely sweet, and James brings a warm, relatable quality to the role. Opposite him, Ritchson plays Jeff – a disciplined, ultra-capable ex-army dad who approaches parenting like a military operation. The contrast between the two is the film’s biggest strength; they bounce off one another with a goofy chemistry that becomes more endearing as the chaos ramps up.
What begins as an innocent afternoon “playdate” quickly spirals into a madcap escape filled with over-the-top mishaps, unexpected threats and a surprisingly heartfelt thread about what it means to show up for your kids – even when you feel completely out of your depth. The action is light and breezy rather than intense, focusing more on sight gags, comedic timing and the absurdity of two dads navigating danger with minivans, snacks and hyperactive children in tow.
Ritchson, who’s more recently known for stoic tough-guy roles, thanks to his recent action-star turn, clearly relishes the chance to go broader and sillier here – a welcome reminder of the comedic energy he showed in The Wedding Ringer (a personal fave) and the cult TV series Blue Mountain State. His raw enthusiasm gives the film a welcome boost, and the outtakes really make it look like he was enjoying being “daft” for once. James, meanwhile, keeps things grounded with his familiar everyman charm. Together, they turn what could’ve been a flat premise into something quite watchable and occasionally really funny.
The film isn’t flawless; it still dips into a few familiar tropes, and some supporting characters feel underused (I would’ve loved to see Isla Fisher’s Leslie feature a bit more, given how ridiculously fun the character was). Still, the tone is good-natured, and the brisk pacing rarely lets the imperfections undermine the fun. At just over 90 minutes, it’s an easy sit and an ideal streaming choice when you want something playful, uncomplicated and family-friendly without being saccharine.
In the end, Playdate succeeds by understanding exactly what it is: a light, upbeat comedy about mismatched dads thrown into unexpected danger. With likeable leads, bursts of lively action and a sincere emotional core, it ends up being a pleasant surprise – the sort of film that won’t blow you away, but will leave you smiling. And stick around for the outtakes AND the set-up for a possible sequel… which I’d welcome given the duo’s chemistry!
***½ 3.5/5
Playdate is available to stream now on Amazon Prime.
