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Prime Video's new action-adventure comedy, Ride or Die, was released on Wednesday, July 15, and has already become one of the most popular shows on the service. The new series shot straight to the No. 2 spot in Prime Video's Top 10 shows of the week, per FlixPatrol. For daily streams, Ride or Die sits at No. 5 as of July 16.
The new series, starring Octavia Spencer (The Help, Hidden Figures), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) and Bill Nighy (Love Actually), is also in the Top 10 Prime Video TV shows across the world, holding the No. 3 spot in Australia, France, Germany, Nigeria, Singapore and Thailand. Ride or Die remains a hit with critics as well, with a near-perfect 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
What Is Ride or Die About?
In Ride or Die, Debbie Claybourne (Spencer) and Judith Burton (Waddingham) are two best friends with one big secret. Unbeknownst to Debbie, Judith is an international assassin. However, a hit goes wrong when one of Judith's targets coincides with an event that Debbie and her husband are attending. Before long, Debbie learns the truth about Judith, and their friendship is tested when the two are forced to go on the run together. Fleeing across Europe, Debbie and Judith are chased by law enforcement, trained assassins, and dangerous criminals.
The show reimagines the genre of buddy action comedy, with women as the protagonists. But creator Tessa Coates says it's not simply a gender switch. Coates tells CBR, "We're making [Ride or Die] like it's two men. We're making this like it's Jason Bourne."
What Are The Critics Saying?
For the most part, Ride or Die has gotten positive reviews, with nearly every critic praising the chemistry between Waddingham and Spencer. However, most reviews also mention the lackluster plot, calling it overcomplicated and derivative.
ScreenRant's Dani Kessel Odom gives the show 7 out of 10 stars, calling Spencer and Waddingham "the perfect duo." However, they also call the show's plot "uninspired," with "overarching cliches." The Hollywood Reporter's review by Angie Han praises the cast's likability and calls the show a "lively excursion with a surprisingly sweet heart." But Han also criticizes the show's "overly complicated plot." Collider's TV critic Meredith Loftus has similar notes. She calls Waddingham and Spencer a "winning combination" with "incredible synchronicity." As far as the plot goes, though, "the result is more overstuffed than satisfying," with "one subplot too many."
Whatever the critics may think, viewers are tuning in, making Ride or Die the No. 2 most-watched Prime Video show of the week. Despite the complicated plot, the chemistry between Waddingham and Spencer seems strong enough to carry the show for now.
Ride or Die is available to watch on Prime Video.
