The summer movie season is in full swing, and with it, an uptick in action. Although Christopher Nolan‘s epic The Odyssey is all but certain to break box office records, movies like Masters of the Universe and Supergirl have failed to really move the needle. The general appetite for action hasn’t waned, but perhaps viewers should turn their attention elsewhere for an adrenaline fix. Enter Prime Video and its latest action-comedy series, Ride or Die, which features Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham dodging law enforcement, trained assassins, and well-connected criminals across Europe. Across its eight episodes, Ride or Die delivers on both action thrills and heartwarming friendship.
What Is ‘Ride or Die’ About?
Debbie Claybourne (Spencer) and Judith Burton (Waddingham) have been best friends for over two decades. Despite years of book clubs, vacations, and antique shopping, Judith has been hiding a few secrets from Debbie — mainly, her job as a highly skilled assassin. However, when one of Judith’s targets overlaps with an event where Debbie and her husband, David (Jamie Parker), are in attendance, Judith can no longer hide the truth from her closest friend.
Series executive producer Ant-Man‘s Peyton Reed, who also directs the first two episodes, immediately sets the tone with high-octane action that keeps the pace moving. Car chases, kinetic fight scenes, and inventive fight choreography — it’s all there — and Waddingham is who makes many of those thrills work. Having already been lauded for her comedic chops, here, she transforms into an action star, bringing both intensity and brutality to every person who stands in her way.
‘Ride or Die’ Does Lose a Little Momentum With Too Many Subplots
Judith’s line of work introduces a distinct worldbuilding to Prime Video’s new action series. The shadow agency she works for is run by an enigmatic man known only as The Director (Bill Nighy), with more information about him slowly spooled out over time regarding who he looks for in recruits, the secrets he keeps from his employees, and the reason for his cold demeanor. Alongside this mysterious organization, there’s also both Interpol law enforcement and the Albanian mob for the characters to contend with. Apart from the Albanians, which come off as more one-note than noteworthy, the characters who fill out the corners of this world are richer than you’d expect, with their own unique backstories that intersect in interesting ways.
Unfortunately, this also results in one subplot too many for the show, and the problem becomes increasingly glaring past the midway point. Although all of these storylines ultimately converge, the result is more overstuffed than satisfying. Should Ride or Die continue beyond these initial episodes, some story threads are worth expanding, particularly involving Queenie (Savannah Steyn) and Sam (Calam Lynch). Still, shaving at least one plotline — or even cutting down to seven episodes — could have made this a more focused season from start to finish.
Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham’s Team-Up Makes ‘Ride or Die’ Worth Watching
Image via Prime Video
Buddy duos are a celebrated fixture of the action comedy — Bad Boys, Lethal Weapon, Men in Black, the list goes on. There are far fewer female duos in the genre, but they do exist, thanks to more recent efforts like The Heat and The Spy Who Dumped Me. As far as Ride or Die is concerned, Waddingham and Spencer are a winning combination. The two have incredible synchronicity and a flow to their rapport that really sells you on a friendship that has lasted over 20 years. There’s also plenty of romance mixed in with the adventure — Judith’s chemistry with Ed Skrein‘s Billy Donovan, in particular, is electric, while Debbie catches the eye of several men, especially Interpol officer Jacques (Jacky Ido). However, the real love story of Ride or Die belongs to the platonic soulmates at its center, which creator Tessa Coates smartly makes the emotional crux of the series.
The overall success of Ride or Die lives and “dies” by its two leads (pun intended), and Debbie and Judith’s friendship is ultimately why it sticks the landing. It’s an exhilarating ride with plenty of action thrills, but it’s primarily about the rare people in your life who will stick with you through thick and thin, have your back when life throws you for a loop, and even jump off a moving train with you while evading assassins. If the journey ends with this season, it culminates in a satisfying place, but between the story threads it leaves dangling and the cast’s fun rapport, a Ride or Die sequel adventure would be more than welcome.
Ride or Die premieres July 15 on Prime Video.
