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Action comedy

Coffee & Kareem (2020): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Coffee & Kareem (2020) movie poster

Coffee & Kareem is a 2020 action comedy directed by Michael Dowse, starring Ed Helms as Coffee, Terrence Little Gardenhigh and Taraji P. Henson. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes. Critics gave it 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
21%
Echo Score
36
Metascore
35
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Coffee & Kareem (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Michael Dowse
Genres
Action , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Coffee & Kareem About?

The premise of Coffee & Kareem without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

As James Coffee's relationship with Vanessa Manning develops, her intelligent son, Kareem, tries to break them apart. His clumsy attempts to hire criminals backfire, revealing a dangerous criminal network. This forces an unexpected partnership between Kareem and Coffee, who must put aside their differences and navigate a thrilling chase through Detroit to protect Vanessa and themselves from the escalating threats.

Coffee & Kareem Themes & Keywords

· 22 tags
  • aspiring rapper
  • singing in a car
  • 12 year old
  • child swearing
  • strip club
  • murder of a police officer
  • traffic cop
  • detroit michigan
  • reference to netflix
  • mother son relationship
  • car chase
  • underage driving
+10 more
  • child with a gun
  • hand grenade
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • corrupt cop
  • villainess
  • french canadian
  • canadian abroad
  • drug deal gone wrong
  • no opening credits
  • reference to martin lawrence
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Cast & crew

Coffee & Kareem Cast & Characters

Ed Helms leads the cast as Coffee, with Terrence Little Gardenhigh as Kareem and Taraji P. Henson as Vanessa Manning. Directed by Michael Dowse; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Coffee & Kareem

· 11 more
From the director

More from Michael Dowse

More films directed by Michael Dowse, best-rated first: Goon, It's All Gone Pete Tong, 8-Bit Christmas and The Stunt Driver.

Full filmography
Ratings

Coffee & Kareem Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Coffee & Kareem 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 36/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

36 /100

Coffee & Kareem Echo Score Breakdown

Coffee & Kareem struggles to deliver consistent entertainment value. Critics and users alike note that the film’s tonal shifts and uneven pacing undermine plot engagement. The screenplay is regarded as generic, with predictable story beats and reliance on juvenile humor. While some performances provide occasional energy, the action sequences and sonic elements do little to elevate the narrative. Overall, the film leaves a limited impression due to its lack of originality and emotional depth.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    Art & Craft suffers from inconsistent direction and modest technical execution. Cinematography alternates between generic framing and uninspired compositions that fail to enhance dramatic beats. Production design establishes a functional urban backdrop but lacks distinctive visual motifs. Editing choices contribute to a choppy rhythm, especially during tonal shifts. In sum, the film’s stylistic presentation remains serviceable but rarely rises above routine craft.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    Character & Emotion displays uneven portrayals that hinder emotional connection. Lead performances exhibit some chemistry but largely lack depth, with underwritten dialogue limiting emotional resonance. Supporting actors inject sporadic vitality yet are insufficiently integrated. As a result, character arcs feel superficial, preventing the audience from fully engaging with interpersonal dynamics.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story & Flow is undermined by predictable plotting and uneven pacing. The narrative follows conventional buddy-cop beats, offering few surprises and limited originality. Extended comedic set-ups often stall momentum, and major plot twists lack sufficient buildup. Consequently, the storyline struggles to maintain engagement and rarely delivers satisfying progression.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    Sensory Experience offers occasional energy through sporadic action set pieces but lacks consistent cohesion. The soundtrack punctuates key moments without significant thematic resonance, and ambient sound design remains largely functional. Visual effects and styling provide basic spectacle but fail to establish a distinctive aesthetic. Overall, the sensory elements support the comedy in places but are not compelling.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    Rewatch Factor is low due to the film’s reliance on juvenile humor and fleeting novelty. Once the crude jokes and predictable scenarios are familiar, the experience loses impact. Limited character development and unremarkable visual moments offer minimal incentive for repeat viewing. In summary, the film provides little lasting appeal beyond an initial, casual watch.

Plot

Coffee & Kareem Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Coffee & Kareem from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Detroit, Officer James Coffee is caught in a whirlwind of personal and professional chaos when he visits his girlfriend Vanessa Manning during the day. As their relationship grows intimate, Coffee’s mind wanders, and he feels he spots Vanessa’s son Kareem in the house. Vanessa insists that Kareem is at school, warning Coffee that if he cannot accept her son as part of her life, their relationship is doomed. Meanwhile, at school, Kareem vents his frustrations to his friend Dominic, feeling betrayed that his mother is dating a white cop, which he believes could jeopardize his ambitions in the rap industry. His anger leads him to plot revenge against Coffee by enlisting local gangsters to teach him a lesson.

Full summary

The whole story of Coffee & Kareem, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Coffee & Kareem Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Coffee & Kareem.

Coffee & Kareem starring Ed Helms & Taraji P Henson | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Coffee & Kareem?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays Officer James Coffee in the film?

Details

Coffee & Kareem Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Coffee and Kareem” and “考菲和卡利姆”.

Also known as
  • Coffee and Kareem
  • 考菲和卡利姆
  • 咖啡与卡里姆
  • Κόφι και Καρίμ
  • Кофе и Карим
  • Coffee i Kareem
  • קופי וקארים
  • Coffee és Kareem
  • 커피 & 카림
  • Коффі та Карім
  • Кафа и Карем
  • Coffee y Kareem
+7 more
  • Кофи и Карим
  • Cha Ghẻ, კოფი და ქარიმი
  • 考菲與克林姆
  • コフィー&カリーム
  • คอฟฟี่ กับ คารีม
  • Kofis ir Karimas
  • 刑警與衰仔拍檔

Seen Coffee & Kareem?

FAQ

Coffee & Kareem FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Coffee & Kareem, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Coffee & Kareem?

Coffee & Kareem runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was Coffee & Kareem released?

Coffee & Kareem was released on April 3, 2020.

Who directed Coffee & Kareem?

Coffee & Kareem was directed by Michael Dowse.

More films by Michael Dowse

Who is in the cast of Coffee & Kareem?

Coffee & Kareem stars Ed Helms as Coffee, Terrence Little Gardenhigh as Kareem and Taraji P. Henson as Vanessa Manning, among 15 credited actors.

How is Coffee & Kareem rated?

Coffee & Kareem has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 21% on Rotten Tomatoes, 35 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.

Does Coffee & Kareem have a post-credit scene?

No. Coffee & Kareem has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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