Summary
A lighthearted action romp, this Netflix flick coasts on the charm of Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, delivering familiar but entertaining thrills.
If there’s one thing Netflix can be counted on for, it’s assembling familiar faces for unambitious but reliable genre fare. BACK IN ACTION exemplifies this, reuniting Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx as a pair of retired spies reluctantly drawn back into the game.
Fifteen years ago, CIA agents Emily (Diaz) and Matt (Foxx)—partners in both espionage and romance—stepped away from the field upon discovering Emily was pregnant. Fast-forward to the present day, and when their identities are accidentally leaked online, the duo finds themselves on the run in London, kids in tow.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because it occupies the well-trodden territory of The Long Kiss Goodnight, Spy Kids, and countless similar stories. Director Seth Gordon and co-writer Brendan O’Brien, both known for irreverent comedies (Horrible Bosses, Neighbors), keep the tone light and breezy, relying on generational humor for much of the comedy. The script leans into the “OK Boomer” meme but from a Gen X perspective, albeit clumsily. (Let’s be honest: Gen X would likely just sit back and enjoy the chaos).
That said, Gordon and O’Brien deliver something their previous comedies didn’t: genuinely impressive action sequences. Diaz and Foxx both shine, kicking ass literally and figuratively, and their natural chemistry adds a spark to every scene. It’s especially delightful to see Diaz back on screen after a decade-long hiatus, her effortless dynamic with Foxx complemented by a fabulously over-the-top Glenn Close as Emily’s estranged mother.
Admittedly, the film overstays its welcome by about 30 minutes, recycling jokes and telegraphing plot beats from a mile away. Yet when the action shifts to a climactic showdown on the Thames, complete with iconic London landmarks, it’s hard not to get swept up. Netflix’s budget is on full display, ensuring the film looks polished even if the narrative isn’t groundbreaking.
As Netflix’s first major release of 2025, BACK IN ACTION suggests the streaming giant is sticking to its formula. And that’s fine. It’s not a clever deconstruction of the genre, nor does it redefine action comedies. But it’s entertaining, and sometimes, that’s all you need.
2025 | USA | DIRECTOR: Seth Gordon | WRITERS: Seth Gordon and Brendan O’Brien | CAST: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, Glenn Close | DISTRIBUTOR: Netflix | RUNNING TIME: 114 minutes | RELEASE DATE: 17 January 2025 (Global)
