*The Fall Guy*: Stunts overshadow underwhelming box office

The opening sequence of The Fall Guy (2024) is a jaw-dropping stunt set piece: Ryan Gosling‘s Colt Seavers, mid-air during a high-speed motorcycle chase, flips over a car and crashes into a billboard. It’s a visceral, adrenaline-fueled introduction that sets the tone for David Leitch’s action-comedy, a film that wears its love for ’80s Hollywood on its sleeve.

Loosely based on the 1980s TV series, The Fall Guy follows Colt Seavers (Gosling), a stuntman fresh off an almost career-ending accident. He’s pulled back into action when he’s tasked with tracking down missing movie star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) while also navigating his complicated relationship with ex-girlfriend and director Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). The film is a chaotic blend of action, comedy, and romance, with Leitch delivering a visual feast of car chases, fight scenes, and stunts that pay homage to the era’s excesses.

The film premiered at SXSW on March 12, 2024, and was released in theaters on May 3 by Universal Pictures. Despite generally positive reviews from critics, it underperformed at the box office, grossing $181 million worldwide against a production budget of $125–150 million, resulting in a loss of around $50 million for the studio.

What works best in The Fall Guy are the moments where Leitch leans into the absurdity of the premise. Gosling’s chemistry with Blunt is palpable, their banter sharp and witty, grounding the film’s more outlandish elements. The action sequences are meticulously choreographed, with Leitch showcasing his knack for staging set pieces that are both thrilling and visually striking. The film’s tribute to stunt performers is heartfelt, adding an emotional core to the otherwise frenetic plot.

Gosling’s performance as Colt Seavers is a standout, embodying the character’s rugged charm and vulnerability with ease. His physicality in the stunt sequences is impressive, and he brings a layer of depth to Colt that makes him more than just a typical action hero. Blunt, too, delivers a strong performance as Jody Moreno, balancing her character’s professional ambition with her personal struggles.

However, The Fall Guy stumbles when it tries to balance its multiple genres. The romance feels rushed at times, with Colt and Jody’s rekindled relationship lacking the depth needed to make their emotional beats land. The conspiracy subplot, while intriguing, is underdeveloped, leaving some of the film’s twists feeling contrived rather than earned. Additionally, the pacing is uneven, with the film’s third act rushing through its resolution in a way that feels unsatisfying.

The supporting cast, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tom Ryder and Hannah Waddingham as Gail Meyer, add depth to the film’s ensemble. Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke also deliver memorable performances, each bringing their unique charm to their respective roles. The film’s themes of redemption, second chances, and the often-overlooked contributions of stunt performers are woven throughout the narrative, adding a layer of emotional resonance.

Leitch’s direction is both a strength and a weakness. His ability to craft dynamic action sequences is undeniable, but his handling of the film’s more dramatic moments leaves something to be desired. The film’s homage to ’80s Hollywood is evident in its visual style and pacing, but it sometimes feels like Leitch is trying too hard to capture the spirit of the era rather than telling a cohesive story.

The Fall Guy is a film that will appeal primarily to fans of action-comedies and those with a fondness for ’80s cinema. Its high-octane set pieces and witty banter make it a fun, if uneven, viewing experience. However, its rushed pacing and underdeveloped subplots may leave some viewers wanting more.

Despite these flaws, The Fall Guy is a fun, if flawed, romp. Gosling and Blunt elevate the material with their charisma and chemistry, while Leitch’s direction ensures that the action sequences are top-notch.