Paul Feig’s latest film, “Jackpot!”, brings a darkly comedic twist to the concept of winning the lottery, but with a catch that’s anything but lucky. Set in a near-future California, the film presents a dystopian scenario where buying a lottery ticket gives you a shot at billions—if you can survive until sundown. The catch? Everyone else is free to try to kill you and take the prize money, with the only rule being no guns. Drones hover overhead, guiding violent mobs to the “winner,” turning the streets into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Awkwafina stars as Katie Kim, a former child actor desperate for a comeback in 2030 Hollywood. The film’s premise is reminiscent of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, but with a farcical edge that leans more toward the chaotic satire seen in “The Purge”. While “Jackpot!” aims for a high-concept comedy, it often feels like a ridiculous gimmick, despite its potential.
The movie kicks off when Katie is announced as the latest lottery winner during an audition, sending the other actors into a frenzy to claim her head. John Cena co-stars as Noel Cassidy, a straight-laced, pinstripe-suit-wearing protector who offers to keep her alive—for a 10% fee. As they make their escape, a buddy comedy ensues, with Awkwafina’s sharp sarcasm playing well against Cena’s earnestness. At one point, Katie quips that Noel looks like “a bulldog that a witch cast a spell on and turned into a human,” perfectly capturing the film’s blend of humor and absurdity.
Yet, despite the dynamic between Awkwafina and Cena, “Jackpot!” struggles to maintain its momentum. The high-concept premise quickly grows tiresome, and the film’s predictability undermines its potential. Even the appearance of Machine Gun Kelly, whose panic room becomes a temporary refuge for Katie and Noel, feels more like a tonal fit than a meaningful addition to the plot.
Feig, known for hits like “Bridesmaids”, “Spy”, and “The Heat”, is adept at blending broad comedy with action, but “Jackpot!” doesn’t quite reach the heights of his previous work. The film seems emblematic of the fading era of big-screen comedies, as studios increasingly shy away from taking risks with humor in theaters. As Katie remarks in the film, Hollywood stardom isn’t what it used to be: “Now, even wrestlers and YouTubers can do it.”
While “Jackpot!” has its moments, particularly with Awkwafina in the lead, it ultimately falls short of delivering the kind of payoff one would expect from such a promising setup. The film is rated R for pervasive language, violence, and sexual references, and runs for 104 minutes. Unfortunately, it lands at just two stars out of four—a comedy that, despite its potential, never quite hits the jackpot.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
