Awkwafina’s New Movie Tops Prime Video and May Expand into a Franchise

In Awkwafina’s new Prime Video comedy, Jackpot, she stars as a young woman who wins a newly established lottery in California. However, the cash prize comes with a terrifying condition: the recipient must survive an onslaught of jackpot hunters who aim to track down and kill the winner. If a hunter succeeds, they get to keep the stolen prize. In essence, it’s a mix of The Hunger Games and Publishers Clearing House.

The film’s quirky premise is further amplified by John Cena playing Noel Cassidy, an amateur lottery protection agent. Cassidy’s task is to safeguard Awkwafina’s character, Katie Kim, until sundown in exchange for a portion of the lottery prize. Simu Liu adds to the story as Cassidy’s rival, Louis Lewis, who also wants a cut of Katie’s winnings. It’s set up to be an entertaining, action-packed romp.

Directed by Paul Feig, Jackpot has quickly become the #1 title on Prime Video, surpassing even popular shows like The Boys. “We from the very beginning have thought this could be an international franchise,” Feig mentioned in an interview with ComicBook, hinting at the possibility of future installments. “It would be fun to see what other countries do with their own lottery.”

The screenplay was penned by seasoned video game writer and designer Rob Yescombe. Yescombe infused the script with the kind of action and physical comedy that Feig has often expressed his fondness for. “For me, creating truly high stakes for the characters makes comedy funnier,” Feig explained in the production notes accompanying the movie. “The best comedy has danger in it.

“For a modern audience, and I include myself in that, you need momentum. You have to invest in and care about the characters. This script had all that from the beginning. Plus, I knew I would get to do a lot of funny stunts. When I was a kid, I dreamed about becoming a stuntman, so now I’m living that vicariously.”

However, as is often the case with major streaming releases, the reviews for Jackpot have been less than favorable. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has scored a dismal 33% from critics and a nearly equally low 49% from the audience. Streaming platforms have made it easier for mid-tier movies to find their audience, but that doesn’t always mean positive reviews.

Despite the mixed critical reception, the film’s ranking suggests that viewers are intrigued by its unique, adrenaline-pumping concept. Whether Jackpot will develop into an international franchise remains to be seen, but its current popularity on Prime Video is unmistakable.

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The post Awkwafina’s new movie is #1 on Prime Video and might expand into a franchise appeared first on BGR.

Source: BGR, Rotten Tomatoes, ComicBook