The Wrecking Crew knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be, and it’s in that confidence that it reveals its greatest asset. Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle), this sun-drenched, bruising action comedy channels the spirit of 80s/90s-era buddy chaos, pairing Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista as estranged half-brothers pulled back together by their father’s mysterious death. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it has a lot of fun tearing up the road it’s already on.
Momoa continues to prove he’s far more than just an intimidating physical presence. As Jonny, he’s a true loose cannon – reckless, foul-mouthed, and disarmingly funny. His easy charm offsets his imposing frame, especially when paired with Bautista’s James, the gruff, tightly wound straight man. It’s a benefit that Bautista can play restraint so beautifully as to let Momoa bounce off him with manic energy, and their chemistry becomes the film’s driving force. There’s a sense that this pairing exists because it wanted to exist, which is fitting, given the film originated from Bautista’s own tweet expressing a desire to make a Lethal Weapon-style buddy movie with Momoa. Momoa later joked that the concept “sells itself,” describing their dynamic in terms that aren’t far off the film’s actual temperament: grumpy versus charming, Speedos versus board shorts, hair versus no hair. That playful self-awareness is baked into the movie’s DNA.
The film isn’t short on punch – often literally. An early fight sequence in Jonny’s home against the Yakuza immediately establishes how far The Wrecking Crew is willing to push its violence, and later, a major mid-film highway car chase takes a familiar action scenario and supercharges it with inventive stunts and gleeful brutality; one particularly vicious moment involving someone’s arm veers into full-on horror territory, a shocking reminder that this comedy is more than willing to draw blood.
Claes Bang clearly relishes his role as the film’s villain, leaning into the performance with a sense of mischievous menace that makes him fun to watch even when the character edges toward excess. Stephen Root, playing the exhausted police chief, steps into one of the genre’s most well-worn archetypes but manages to transcend it, bringing just enough weary humanity to elevate the role beyond stereotype. Morena Baccarin fares even better as Jonny’s fatigued but capable girlfriend, a role that could have easily been reduced to window dressing. Instead, she’s given real agency, holding her own during the aforementioned car chase and emerging as a credible presence in the action rather than a passive bystander.
Soto also continues his knack for celebrating island culture in a way that feels organic rather than performative. With Soto’s Puerto Rican heritage, Momoa’s Hawaiian roots, and Bautista’s Filipino background, the film carries a cultural texture that feels lived-in and natural – present in its setting, its rhythms, and its characters, without ever pausing to announce itself or tick representational boxes.
Not everything lands though. Jacob Batalon, positioned as the foul-mouthed comic relief, feels like the film’s weakest element. His humour often feels forced, particularly when Momoa is already occupying similar comedic territory with far more ease and authenticity; the contrast only highlights how effortlessly Momoa handles that tone.
Ultimately, The Wrecking Crew is a familiar but satisfying ride: loud, violent, self-aware, and powered by a genuinely fun central pairing. It knows the formula it’s working with and embraces it wholeheartedly, delivering bruising action, sharp chemistry, and a playful swagger that makes the journey worthwhile – even if you’ve seen the road before.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Wrecking Crew is available to stream on Prime Video from January 28th, 2026.
