Take the Money and Run: In ‘Jackpot!’, Awkwafina Wins it All, But It’s a Death Sentence Unless John Cena Can Protect Her
Who wouldn’t want to win the lottery?
In the new comedy Jackpot!, starring Awkwafina and John Cena, possibly everyone as it comes with a Purge-style manhunt allowing anyone to kill the winner and claim their prize.
Jackpot! is set in 2030, apparently after the social contract between human beings has been irreparably damaged. According to the film’s official description, “a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California – the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket.
“Desperate to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters, she reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (Cena) who will do everything in his power to get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize. However, Noel must face off with his slick rival Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who also seeks to collect Katie’s commission at all costs.”
The trailer shows Katie and Noel escaping from those trying to hunt down her prize, as Bonnie Tyler’s 1984 anthem “Holding Out for a Hero” plays in the background. The pair fend off the masses John Wick-style – driving through buildings, ducking meat cleavers and fighting Louis Lewis and his army.
Katie tells Noel that this lottery sounds more like sanctioned murder and Noel responds, “Oh, not in California. It’s just a chance at the big time.”
Later, Katie, who has no reason to believe anyone’s motives, tells Noel, “I do trust you. I think it’s because you look like a bulldog that, like, a witch cast a spell on and turned into a human. You ever get that?”
Ayden Mayeri, Machine Gun Kelly, Donald Elise Watkins, Sam Asghari and Murray Hill round out the cast.
Jackpot! was directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, A Simple Favor) and written by Rob Yescombe. MGM is distributing the film, which will stream on Prime Video beginning August 15th.
There’s a chance for viewers to win something too, though the stakes (and prize) are much lower. The trailer (above) for the film includes footage of Awkwafina and Cena give the details about a giveaway in which one lucky winner gets Buffalo Wild Wings food for a decade. Details on the promotion are available here.