When it comes to Hollywood heist thrillers, audiences expect razor-sharp dialogue, charismatic anti-heroes, and clever plotting that keeps them guessing until the final act. Unfortunately, Play Dirty, the latest film from director Shane Black, doesn’t quite live up to that promise. Despite boasting a strong creative team and a cast filled with familiar names, the movie struggles to balance its sardonic humor with action-heavy spectacle, leaving many viewers underwhelmed.
At the center of it all is Mark Wahlberg, playing the notorious career criminal Parker. Wahlberg has handled action roles for decades, but in this film, he feels oddly miscast. Lacking the sharp wit and sly magnetism needed to sell Parker as a master criminal, his performance comes across as flat. And when he’s paired against the effortlessly cool LaKeith Stanfield, the contrast becomes even more glaring.
But Wahlberg’s lackluster presence isn’t the only flaw dragging the film down. Let’s break down where Play Dirty works, where it stumbles, and why this adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s classic pulp character Parker leaves audiences with more questions than thrills.
A Tough Character to Adapt
Parker, created by crime novelist Donald E. Westlake (under the pseudonym Richard Stark), has appeared in 24 novels and has been brought to screen several times. From Lee Marvin in Point Blank (1967) to Mel Gibson in Payback (1999) and Jason Statham in Parker (2013), many actors have attempted to embody the cold, calculating thief.
In Play Dirty, Shane Black and his writing partners Charles Mondry and Anthony Bagarozzi draw inspiration from the character but craft an original story rather than adapting a single novel. The result is a film that borrows the atmosphere of Westlake’s work but dilutes the icy ruthlessness of Parker in favor of comic banter, chaotic heists, and over-the-top set pieces.
The Opening: A Promising Heist Gone Wrong
The movie begins with Parker and his crew pulling off what looks like a typical holdup. But chaos ensues when an unsuspecting family stumbles onto the scene. Instead of running, the father decides to “rob the robbers,” snatching the stolen money for himself. What follows is a wild chase through a horse-racing track filled with crashes, mayhem, and casualties.
This chaotic opener has all the hallmarks of a Shane Black set piece — sardonic humor mixed with reckless destruction. Parker eventually recovers the loot, but his attempt to display a sense of morality by tossing $10,000 to the man’s wife feels unconvincing.
The trouble deepens when a new recruit, Zen (played by Rosa Salazar), betrays Parker, wipes out most of his crew, and escapes with the money. Among the dead is Parker’s longtime partner Philly Webb (Thomas Jane), setting up a revenge arc with Philly’s widow Grace (Gretchen Mol).
Double-Crosses, Dictators, and a Treasure Heist
From here, the story sprawls into a globe-trotting mess of double-crosses and cartoonish villains. Zen is revealed to be a former elite soldier from a Latin American dictatorship. She’s fighting against General De La Paz (Alejandro Edda), a corrupt leader scheming to steal a priceless artifact — the jewel-encrusted figurehead of a sunken Spanish galleon, the Lady of Arintero.
The treasure, on display at the United Nations, is meant to represent cultural pride and financial salvation for her homeland. But De La Paz plans to sell it off with the help of eccentric billionaire Phineas Paul (Chukwudi Iwuji), with Mark Cuban making a tongue-in-cheek cameo.
The stakes are set: Parker must decide whether to team up with Zen and her righteous cause or stick to his mercenary instincts. But as the film stretches toward its two-hour runtime, the messy plotting and clunky dialogue make it difficult for viewers to stay invested.
Stanfield Steals the Show
If there’s one saving grace in Play Dirty, it’s LaKeith Stanfield as Alan Grofield, a criminal who moonlights as a theater actor. His quirky combination of artistic passion and criminal skill makes for a refreshing presence in an otherwise tired narrative. Every time he appears on screen, he injects charm, wit, and unpredictability, making audiences wish the movie was centered around him instead of Wahlberg’s Parker.
Other supporting roles, like Keegan-Michael Key and Claire Lovering as art-thieving couple Ed and Brenda Mackey, provide sporadic comic relief. Meanwhile, Chai Hansen as the eccentric getaway driver adds a few laugh-out-loud moments with his bizarre dance routine. But these side characters aren’t enough to elevate the film beyond generic action tropes.
Style Without Substance
On paper, Play Dirty should have been a stylish caper: Shane Black directing, Alan Silvestri composing the score, Philippe Rousselot handling cinematography, and Owen Paterson designing the production. Yet the final product feels strangely lifeless.
Instead of crisp visuals and clever tension, the film resembles a noisy, chaotic ‘90s throwback with endless car crashes and explosions. The humor often falls flat, and the emotional stakes never quite land, leaving the audience detached from Parker’s mission.
The subplot involving New York mob boss Lozini (Tony Shalhoub) adds little depth, aside from introducing Nat Wolff as a bumbling underworld lackey. Even Shalhoub, usually reliable in villainous roles, struggles to make the material engaging.
A Weak Ending
The movie wraps up with Parker and Grofield walking through Times Square after a New Year’s Eve showdown. The scene feels tacked on, an attempt to turn the film into a holiday buddy comedy. Instead of delivering a punchy finale, Play Dirty ends with a whimper, leaving audiences asking themselves what kind of movie it was supposed to be all along.
Final Verdict
Play Dirty had all the ingredients for a slick, sardonic heist thriller, but the execution falls flat. Wahlberg’s wooden performance fails to carry the movie, and while Shane Black’s signature style peeks through in moments, the story is bloated, messy, and lacking tension.
LaKeith Stanfield and Rosa Salazar provide bursts of energy, but they’re not enough to save the film from mediocrity. Ultimately, Play Dirty feels less like a fresh take on a crime classic and more like a recycled action script from the back of Shane Black’s drawer.
If you’re a die-hard heist movie fan or curious about Parker’s latest screen incarnation, it might be worth a watch. Otherwise, this one may leave you wishing you’d planned a different movie night.