‘The Pickup’ Brings Eddie Murphy and Keke Palmer Together for the Ride of the Summer
“The Pickup”, streaming globally on Prime Video Aug. 6, is a buddy action-comedy that doesn’t reinvent the wheel; it hot wires it and takes it for a joyride.
Directed by Tim Story and starring a generational trio — Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and Keke Palmer — the film thrives on charisma, chaos, and chemistry. What starts as a routine cash run spirals into a spectacle of mayhem, muscle cars, and the kind of improvisational magic that only happens when actors trust each other — and the director trusts them back.
“The Pickup” follows Russell Pierce (Eddie) and Travis Stolly (Pete), two armored truck drivers who couldn’t be more different. Their mundane job takes a sharp turn when they’re ambushed by a crew led by Zoe (Keke), a bold and unpredictable criminal mastermind with plans far beyond a simple score.
“It’s one of those fun early 2000s, old-school action comedies,” Pete said. “There’s not a dull moment. It moves. It’s just fun. You watch it with everybody. There’s someone in it for everyone to like.”
Eddie agreed, adding, “It reminds me of the movies of the ’80s. Those ’80s buddy comedy classics.”
Their dynamic drives the film. Eddie brings grit, Pete brings chaos, and Keke’s charismatic villain keeps them on their toes, putting a new spin on the action-comedy formula.
Story said the chemistry between the three was instant. “It was like a dream come true,” he said. “My career has kind of been about trying to chase this man [Eddie] and do a movie with him, [then when you put him with Pete], and then you add Keke? It was just a bag of riches.”
That blend of experience and energy is what makes “The Pickup” sing. Keke, known for her versatility and sharp comedic timing, steps into the villain role with confidence and nuance. Keke called working on “The Pickup” “a dream come true,” especially when prepping for her starring role in the film “One of Them Days”, which was released in Janaury of this year co-starring SZA.
“I think I was just observing and watching [Eddie] the whole time,” Keke said. “I got to watch a masterclass of him continuously playing the truth. Every improvisation, every joke.”
Eddie returned the compliment: “I didn’t know all the different stuff that Keke did,” Eddie said. “So when she got on the set, it was like, ‘Oh, wow. Yeah. This girl is good.”
With that much comedic firepower in one place, improvisation came naturally. “We’d get one as scripted, and then [Tim Story] would just kind of let us have fun,” Pete said. “Some of the best moments in the film are just us all messing around.”
One unforgettable moment? A scene where Pete’s character suggests he doesn’t “read as white” to a passing car while changing a tire. “Didn’t make the [final cut of the movie],” he laughed. “But it was hilarious.”
Story emphasized how much he trusted his cast to elevate the material. “They just give you these nuggets. And once they lock into what makes the scene work, they give you more of that.”
As Zoe, Keke brings both flair and dimension. “She’s a villain, but she’s somebody that has a reason. She’s, in my mind, a bit of an anti-hero and she’s honestly trying to get these guys on board with what she’s trying to do.”
In one pivotal diner scene, each character’s motivations come to light in unexpected ways. “We were just riding each other’s waves, honestly,” Keke said. “There was a lot of improv going on. Whatever happened, we just went with it.”
Eddie shared that the script was the main reason he signed on.
“Usually, these pieces take years to develop…but this [script] was like 90% when I read it for the first time. Then we got Tim, and I was like, okay, we’re making this movie.”
“I could cry, to be quite honest with you. Eddie is literally the blueprint. I remember watching Trading Places, Coming to America… he’s done things that can never be done again,” Keke said.
At its core, “The Pickup” is fast-paced, funny, and filled with characters you’ll want to root for even when they’re at odds. With standout cast chemistry, expert direction, and an old-school energy that feels new again, it’s primed to be a summer hit.
Catch “The Pickup” August 6, only on Prime Video. For behind-the-scenes content, cast features, and exclusive clips, follow along on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube using the hashtag #ThePickupMovie.
