Ricky Stanicky
Amazon Prime Video | Release Date (Streaming): March 7, 2024 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
44
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews
Positive:
4
Mixed:
15
Negative:
5
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
SlashfilmEthan AndertonMar 6, 2024
For the most part, Ricky Stanicky is an entertaining comedy with enough laughs to keep your attention, but ultimately, it tries too hard to pull at your heartstrings without enough authenticity to back it up. Read full review
60
ColliderNate RichardMar 6, 2024
Ricky Stanicky could have easily been a disaster, but thanks to the cast, some effective laughs, and a big heart, it ends up making for an entertaining two hours. Read full review
60
The Daily BeastNick SchagerMar 6, 2024
Little more than a creaky lark that fails to generate consistent laughs, even if it proves that John Cena is a charming goof-off who’s game for anything. Read full review
55
CNNBrian LowryMar 6, 2024
Ricky Stanicky might be imaginary and doesn’t measure up to its promise, but in terms of that basket within the wrestler-turned-actor’s filmography, it at least fits Cena like a glove. Read full review
51
TheWrapWilliam BibbianiMar 6, 2024
It takes a farcical premise and tries to find something meaningful to say about it. It doesn’t succeed, but the effort is worth analyzing. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperMar 7, 2024
Directed by Peter Farrelly from a story/screenplay credited to a total of eight writers (rarely a hopeful sign), “Ricky Stanicky” has the cheerfully offensive and goofy offbeat flavor of 1990s Farrelly Brothers comedies such as “Dumb and Dumber,” “Kingpin” and “There’s Something About Mary,” only with most of the laughs and much of the charm MIA. Read full review
50
IGNEric GoldmanMar 6, 2024
It would be great to see Peter Farrelly recapture the comedic magic he and his brother achieved in their terrific 1990s run, but he doesn’t do so with Ricky Stanicky. It’s focused on too many un-engaging characters with a lot of would-be comedic banter that falls flat, while the attempts to blend drama with humor feel out of place. Read full review
50
IndieWireDavid EhrlichMar 6, 2024
The funniest thing about Ricky Stanicky might be how recently its director was holding an Oscar on the stage of the Dolby Theater. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubLuke Y. ThompsonMar 6, 2024
In the wrestling ring, Cena used to wear a shirt which read “Rise Above Hate,” and indeed, he does so here. It would be better if he found a project where he didn’t have to. Read full review
40
The Observer (UK)Wendy IdeMar 10, 2024
Despite the best efforts of a game John Cena in the title role, the laughs are a little thin on the ground. Read full review
40
EmpireBarry LevittMar 8, 2024
Despite John Cena’s best efforts, Ricky Stanicky is a comedy that delivers nothing but tedium, wasting a clever idea by repeating the same jokes over and over. Read full review
40
We Got This CoveredCharlotte SimmonsMar 7, 2024
You can almost hear the desperate screams of a far funnier, far more profound script in the shallowness of the 'Ricky Stanicky' we got, even if John Cena's efforts to drown them out aren't entirely fruitless. Read full review
40
The New York TimesAmy NicholsonMar 6, 2024
While the high jinks are too haphazard to give him a credible — or heck, even coherent — character arc, Cena is here and there able to seize moments to show us the fissures in his layered personas, a fragile construction of confidence, ego, vulnerability and need. Read full review
40
The IndependentClarisse LoughreyMar 6, 2024
Good comedies, of course, can make the tragic feel bittersweet, but Ricky Stanicky bungles its tone to the point that the whole affair comes across a little depressing. It’s like watching a bedraggled widower perform close-up magic at his spouse’s funeral. Read full review
40
The GuardianAdrian HortonMar 6, 2024
There are a few laughs but, at nearly two hours, Ricky Stanicky far outstays its welcome. Read full review
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