‘Reacher’s Alan Ritchson Takes a Beating With “Ashamed” Rotten Tomatoes Reviews of His New Hit Action Comedy

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Alan Ritchson is currently number one on Prime Video’s charts, but this time it’s not thanks to his show Reacher. He’s starring in the action comedy The Throwback, alongside Kevin James, Sarah Chalke, Alan Tudyk, and Isla Fisher. While audiences seem to enjoy seeing him on screen, critics haven’t been impressed, and the movie currently has a low 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Alan Ritchson is showing his range as an actor, proving he’s more than just an action star. While he’s well-known for his powerful portrayal of Jack Reacher – a role he’ll revisit in 2026 – he’s also earned positive attention for films like Ordinary Angels and Motor City. However, his recent comedy, Playdate, hasn’t been well-received by critics, with many suggesting he shouldn’t have taken the part. Here’s what the movie is about:

Brian, a newly unemployed accountant played by Kevin James, thinks he’s just signing up for a simple playdate with Jeff (Alan Ritchson), a seemingly normal stay-at-home dad, and their sons. But things quickly turn wild when they find themselves being chased by dangerous mercenaries. Brian, completely unprepared for the situation, fumbles his way through a series of crazy challenges, while Jeff surprisingly seems ready for anything.

Comedy is famously hard to get right, and the film Playdate is a recent example of how divisive the genre can be. Critics have largely disliked it, with many expressing strong disapproval. Andrew Parker from The Gate described the movie as not being enjoyable, but rather something simply endured. Gregory Nussen of ScreenRant called it “regressive” and criticized its outdated portrayal of masculinity, while Brian Orndorf at Blu-ray.com was particularly harsh in his assessment.

This movie is a mess – loud, unpleasant, and completely lacking in originality. It fails on almost every level, from the acting and editing to the story and overall message. Simply put, it’s a terrible film.

What Do Audiences Think of Alan Ritchson’s ‘Playdate’?

Here’s some encouraging news: while critics didn’t love Playdate, it’s actually doing well on Prime Video. Viewers have mixed opinions, but the movie’s approval rating is currently 53% and continues to increase.

Critics had mixed reactions to the film. Many enjoyed it as a lighthearted and fun buddy movie, especially appreciating the chemistry between the two lead actors. Some felt it was a welcome distraction from current events. However, others criticized the film’s PG-13 rating, arguing it contained excessive language and violence for that rating, and one reviewer even claimed the script felt like it was written by a child using artificial intelligence.

Not everyone enjoys the same things, and while some people are really having fun with Playdate, others aren’t feeling it at all. You can watch it on Prime Video and decide for yourself whether it’s something you’d enjoy.

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2025-11-13 15:33