Stuber (2019)
Director: Michael Dowse
Screenwriter: Tripper Clancy
Starring: Dave Bautista, Kumail Nanjiani, Mira Sorvino, Natalie Morales, Jimmy Tatro, Betty Gilpin, Karen Gillan
Review: Stuber (2019) — A Modern Buddy Cop Comedy
Stuber (2019) pairs former wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista and comedian-actor Kumail Nanjiani in an action-comedy that refreshes the buddy cop formula with an unlikely partnership: an intense LAPD detective and an Uber driver thrust together by circumstance. Directed by Michael Dowse and written by Tripper Clancy, the film leans into genre conventions while mining the chemistry between its two leads for both laughs and heart.
The premise is simple and effective. Bautista plays a hyper-focused cop who, after a medical mishap involving laser eye surgery, ends up relying on Nanjiani’s character—an ordinary ride-share driver—to help pursue a dangerous suspect. The setup creates immediate contrast: one man is all about force and blunt action, the other navigates life with social sensitivity and modern anxieties. That opposition fuels most of the comedy and emotional beats.
Bautista and Nanjiani make the central relationship believable. Bautista brings physicality and a gruff, old-school cop energy, while Nanjiani offers neurotic charm and quick, self-aware humor. Their back-and-forth taps into an enduring buddy-cop trope—two opposites learning from each other—but the actors’ rapport prevents the dynamic from feeling stale. When the film lands a joke, it lands hard, and several sequences produce genuine, loud laughs.
As an action comedy, Stuber keeps the pace brisk. The screenplay unfolds over roughly 90 minutes, keeping scenes compact and focused on what will get a reaction—whether that’s an action beat, a witty exchange, or a moment of character growth. Some gags are predictable and a few sequences fall back on familiar beats, but the film generally manages to balance set pieces with character-driven humor so it remains engaging from scene to scene.
Critically, Stuber works best when it leans into the contrast between traditional and contemporary masculinity. The movie uses that tension not just for jokes but as a vehicle for modest character development: Bautista’s character softens enough to express vulnerability and adopt new habits, while Nanjiani’s character gains confidence and a willingness to act under pressure. These shifts are not revolutionary, but they give the film an emotional throughline beyond the laughs.
The script isn’t without shortcomings. A shaky opening—most notably the laser-eye-surgery incident that triggers the partnership—signals occasional uninspired choices in plotting. There is noticeable product placement and some repetitive comic beats that could have been trimmed for sharper momentum. A handful of jokes don’t land, and the film never fully reinvents the buddy-cop wheel the way recent genre deconstructions have attempted to do.
Still, Stuber is consistently entertaining. It’s the kind of movie that works well as a group watch or a casual streaming pick: not demanding, often funny, and carried by two charismatic leads. Supporting players add texture, but the film’s success hinges squarely on Bautista and Nanjiani, who manage to make the formula feel fresh enough to justify the ride.
In comparison to standout buddy-cop entries and modern comedies—films that play with or subvert the genre—Stuber doesn’t reach the same heights. It’s not as clever or layered as films that intentionally unpack the genre’s conventions. That said, it still outpaces many lighter attempts in the same vein by delivering consistent laughs, thrilling moments, and a warm center.
Verdict
Stuber is not groundbreaking, but it is enjoyable. With strong chemistry between its leads, solid pacing, and a blend of action and comedy that mostly succeeds, the movie provides reliable entertainment even when it leans on familiar formulas. Fans of buddy-cop comedies or anyone looking for a fast, funny evening watch will likely find Stuber worth their time.
10/24