Role Play Review: You’ve probably encountered a plot like this before: someone seems to have a perfect family life, only for it to be revealed that they’re secretly an agent, and their partner is completely unaware of their double life.
In Role Play, a new movie on Prime Video, the secret agent is swapped for an assassin. Kaley Cuoco stars as Emma Brackett, who leads an idyllic suburban life with her husband Dave (David Oyelowo) and their two kids, all of whom are blissfully unaware of her true profession as a hired assassin.
When a missed anniversary causes Emma to suggest some role play to spice up their routine, they plan to rendezvous at a bar, pretending to be strangers for the evening. However, an unexpected third party, Bob (Bill Nighy), complicates the situation in ways Emma didn’t foresee.
Kaley Cuoco has found success on TV with shows like The Big Bang Theory and The Flight Attendant, but she’s still searching for a breakthrough movie role. Unfortunately, Role Play doesn’t deliver that breakthrough.
The issue isn’t just the familiar plot, but the film’s tonal inconsistency. Movies like True Lies, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and even last year’s Ghosted use a similar premise for comedic effect, suggesting that if such a situation occurred in real life, divorce would likely follow swiftly. Role Play tries to approach the concept with a more serious tone but lacks the commitment to make it compelling. The delayed reveal is handled with an emotional gravity that seems refreshing until it’s undercut by awkward lines like “killing is bad, like unacceptably bad.”
This pattern persists throughout the film, leaving it in an unsatisfactory limbo. It neither delivers the expected laughs or action nor offers a unique twist to stand out.
Not Quite the Hit: Role Play Is Entertaining but Unmemorable
Ultimately, Role Play epitomizes the typical streaming movie: bland and unremarkable, with a straightforward plot and a villain (played by the underutilized Connie Nielsen) who requires minimal exposition.
The film relies on the charm of Kaley Cuoco and David Oyelowo to keep it engaging. While both actors are capable of much more, this movie doesn’t provide the opportunity to showcase their talents fully. Role Play is likely to be quickly forgotten, though it might keep you entertained if you don’t expect it to transform your movie-watching experience.