Just Play Dead

Play trailer

1:49

Just Play Dead

R

Aug 2026

1h 36m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

10%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Wealthy criminal mastermind Jack Wolfe (Samuel L. Jackson) is cornered by the Feds, but you can't arrest a dead man. His plan? Fake his death, claim a $30 million insurance payout with his grieving wife Nora (Eva Green), and frame her surfer lover Chad. But Nora, suffocated by Jack's ruthless control, has her own scheme: kill Jack for real, frame Chad, and keep the fortune for herself. Jack, always a step ahead, sets a deadly trap, turning the unsuspecting lovers against each other.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Phil Hoad

Guardian

17 hrs ago

3/5

Lacking much mordant snap in the dialogue, and dependent on a trio of over-familiar stereotypes, it’s never quite as funny or sharp as it thinks it is. It has its moments, though.

Go to Full Review

Craig D. Lindsey

RogerEbert.com

Aug 28, 2026

1/4

At least it looks like Jackson had some fun both enjoying and chewing the scenery whenever he could. Too bad he’s the only one.

Go to Full Review

Todd Gilchrist

Variety

Aug 27, 2026

Even with Samuel L. Jackson among his lead actors and journeyman director Martin Campbell at the helm, "Just Play Dead" feels more like a tax shelter (especially given its Canary Islands production backdrop) than a proper crime yarn.

Go to Full Review

Michael Cook

KLRT-TV

3 days ago

3/10

This movie is so bad I think they deliberately made it bad to get a tax write-off. That's the only explanation why this movie is so horrible.

Go to Full Review

Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Sep 4, 2026

D+

"Just Play Dead" has lovely locations and a lot of sun, but there’s little happening here that commands attention.

Go to Full Review

Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

Sep 1, 2026

1/5

Not even enlisting Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green can salvage this dull exposition-heavy crime comedy.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Ken B

@MrBelmont Sep 22, 2026

Ahahahahaaaaahhaaaaa!! Do enjoy this 1980’s flick…that was released in 2026! LMFAO!

See more

Tazman T

@Tazman940 Sep 21, 2026

Very poor acting with a plot that is especially boring. Don’t waste your time.

See more

Terry R

@Trouss Sep 19, 2026

I saw this movie had good reviews and Sam Jackson so I watched it. Dont waste your time cause the good reviews are FAKE! The plot wasnt good and the acting was terrible. I am not a fan of actors but can say after watching this awful movie it makes you appreciate the good ones. Even Jackson did a bad acting job. This movie was probably thrown together in a week or so cause it is that bad. I hope Jackson didnt have to spend much on these actors cause honestly they are terrible. I could have done a better job acting. I couldnt even act like this movie was interesting at all. Once you see yhe wife and how she acts you will do what I did and turn the movie off. The movie treats her like everyone wants to be with her. My question is if she is dating Sam Jackson cause that is the only way you can see him casting her. In closing just dont waste your time!

See more

Austin B

@RT35999578 Sep 12, 2026

Austin B Boswellllgmailcom

See more

Norma Y

@Norma399 Sep 9, 2026

The script was so bad. There were some good ideas but it always went in the wrong direction.

See more

tm11999 M

@tm11999 Sep 7, 2026

yeah, no. eva green is too old to play the sex kitten. sam jackson is near 80 and caucasian females would show 0 interest in an 80 year old. plus a confusing end. go trim your nose hairs instead.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Martin Campbell

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Jack Wolfe

Eva Green

Nora Wolfe

Eoin Macken

Dani

Lee Boardman

Miguel

María Pedraza

Bianca

Just Play Dead: Trailer 1

1:49

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Wealthy criminal mastermind Jack Wolfe (Samuel L. Jackson) is cornered by the Feds, but you can't arrest a dead man. His plan? Fake his death, claim a $30 million insurance payout with his grieving wife Nora (Eva Green), and frame her surfer lover Chad. But Nora, suffocated by Jack's ruthless control, has her own scheme: kill Jack for real, frame Chad, and keep the fortune for herself. Jack, always a step ahead, sets a deadly trap, turning the unsuspecting lovers against each other.

Director: Martin Campbell
Producer: Phil Hunt, Valentin Dimitrov, Sagiv Diamant, Phil Hunt, Mario Reinach, Moshe Diamant
Screenwriter: Dan Gordon
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Mendips Film, Atelier11, Head Gear Films, Vacancy Films, Safe Place Films, Metrol Technology, Gemstone Films
Rating: R (Rape|Language|Drug Use|Sexual Content|Some Violent Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2026
Runtime: 1h 36m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings