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Action comedy

The Pickup (2025): Cast, Ratings & Ending

The Pickup (2025) movie poster

The Pickup is a 2025 action comedy directed by Tim Story, starring Keke Palmer as Zoe, Eddie Murphy and Eva Longoria. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. Critics gave it 24% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
24%
Echo Score
38
Metascore
38
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The Pickup (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Tim Story
Genres
Action , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Pickup About?

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

A seemingly routine cash pickup spirals into a chaotic situation when two armored truck drivers, Russell and Travis, find themselves ambushed by ruthless criminals. Led by the cunning Zoe, the criminals have a much larger plan than simply stealing the money. Russell and Travis must navigate the escalating danger and unexpected twists as they try to survive the encounter and uncover the mastermind’s ultimate goal.

The Pickup Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • two word title
  • female pedal pumping
  • armored truck
  • north america
  • money
  • exploding dye pack
  • held at gunpoint
  • african american protagonist
  • new jersey
  • diner
  • armored truck robbery
  • mixed race couple
+38 more
  • ziptied restraints
  • assault rifle
  • casino
  • highway
  • african american antagonist
  • pistol
  • shot in the thigh
  • united states of america
  • threatened with a gun
  • montage
  • payback
  • shot in the abdomen
  • car ride
  • airfield
  • heist crime
  • tv news
  • atlantic city new jersey
  • buddy comedy
  • bullet wound
  • married couple
  • truck heist
  • flashback
  • gunshot wound
  • female antagonist
  • rolling over a car
  • shot in the bulletproof vest
  • telephone call
  • wrist restraints
  • car chase
  • slow motion shot
  • tear gas
  • fixing a hole
  • female african american antagonist
  • security guard
  • knocked unconscious
  • car crash
  • casino heist
  • car repair shop
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Cast & crew

The Pickup Cast & Characters

Keke Palmer leads the cast as Zoe, with Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce and Eva Longoria as Natalie Pierce. Directed by Tim Story; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Pickup

· 16 more
From the director

More from Tim Story

More films directed by Tim Story, best-rated first: The Blackening, Barbershop, Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain and Think Like a Man.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Pickup Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Pickup 24% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in art & craft (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

38 /100

The Pickup Echo Score Breakdown

The Pickup delivers a largely unsatisfying experience, marred by weak direction and a thin script that fails to capitalize on its comedic talent. While isolated action set‑pieces receive modest praise, the majority of critiques highlight generic storytelling, uneven performances, and a lack of memorable moments. The consensus across critics and users points to a film that struggles to engage beyond fleeting thrills, resulting in limited replay appeal.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases a handful of well‑executed car chases and stunt sequences that demonstrate competent technical handling. However, reviewers repeatedly note a generally cheap visual presentation and a direction that lacks a cohesive style, with editing and production design feeling perfunctory. Consequently, the craftsmanship is uneven, offering occasional highlights amid an overall modest execution.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    When evaluating character and emotion, the cast’s charisma provides occasional uplift, with moments of lively banter between the leads. Nonetheless, criticism centers on shallow character development, uneven chemistry, and performances that often feel restrained or overacted. The lack of depth and inconsistent emotional resonance prevents the ensemble from delivering a compelling or engaging dynamic.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The narrative suffers from a predictable plot structure riddled with holes and implausible twists, which reviewers describe as generic and forgettable. Pacing fluctuates, with sections dragging while action set‑pieces briefly engage the audience. Overall, the story’s originality and coherence are limited, resulting in a disengaging viewing experience.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    The sensory components, including sound design and visual effects, receive mixed remarks; while the action sequences display competent choreography, overall production values appear low‑budget and the soundtrack is unremarkable. Critics point to cheap-looking set pieces and a lack of distinctive audio cues, leading to a sensory experience that feels serviceable but uninspired.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch potential is limited, as the film lacks memorable humor, a compelling story, or distinctive style to encourage repeated viewings. While a few high‑energy chase moments may entertain on a second watch, the overall blandness and uneven execution diminish lasting appeal, resulting in low incentive for audiences to return.

Plot

The Pickup Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Pickup from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On duty, Russell Pierce, Eddie Murphy — a veteran armored car driver nearing retirement — is paired for the first time with Travis Stolly, a rookie who dreams of becoming a police officer, played by Pete Davidson. The two men come from different ends of the spectrum, but they share a stubborn commitment to doing the job right as they roll out for a routine route that soon spirals into something far more dangerous.

Full summary

The whole story of The Pickup, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

The Pickup Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 1 trailer, 4 clips and 3 featurettes.

All 8 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Heist Clip
  • Clip Russell Meets Travis
  • Clip Pete Davidson & Eddie Murphy’s Insane Highway Chase
  • Clip Keke Palmer’s Mega Heist Gameplan
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Pickup?

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 is the veteran armored car driver nearing retirement?

Cars

Cars in The Pickup

1 car on screen: the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek.

  • 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek in The Pickup 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
Details

The Pickup Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “The Pickup: เดอะพิคอัพ” and “Інкасація”.

Also known as
  • The Pickup: เดอะพิคอัพ
  • Інкасація
  • 意外收获
  • 致命劫持
  • A Última Missão
  • El último encargo
  • 더 픽업
  • Il blindato dell’amore
  • A Fuvar
  • Azken lana
  • L'últim encàrrec
  • A recollida
+20 more
  • Jaf fără voie
  • Kurýři
  • Η Χρηματαποστολή
  • האיסוף
  • الاستلام
  • द पिकअप
  • த பிக்கப்
  • เดอะพิคอัพ
  • ద పికప్
  • ദി പിക്കപ്പ്
  • ದಿ ಪಿಕಪ್
  • ザ・ピックアップ ~恋の強盗大作戦~
  • Le blindé
  • 玩命情劫
  • Пограбування
  • Ограбление
  • Пикапът
  • محموله, ძარცვა
  • Pikapas
  • Phi Vụ Chuyển Tiền

Seen The Pickup?

FAQ

The Pickup FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Pickup, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Pickup?

The Pickup runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was The Pickup released?

The Pickup was released on August 6, 2025.

Who directed The Pickup?

The Pickup was directed by Tim Story.

More films by Tim Story

Who is in the cast of The Pickup?

The Pickup stars Keke Palmer as Zoe, Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce and Eva Longoria as Natalie Pierce, among 20 credited actors.

How is The Pickup rated?

The Pickup has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 24% on Rotten Tomatoes, 38 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does The Pickup have a post-credit scene?

No. The Pickup has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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