Players – Review and Summary
“Players” has all the workings of a multi-season sitcom squeezed into a less than 2-hour movie.
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Director(s) |
Trish Sie |
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Screenplay By |
Whit Anderson |
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Based On Work By |
N/A |
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Date Released (Netflix) |
February 14, 2024 |
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Genre(s) |
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Film Length |
1 Hour 45 Minutes |
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Content Rating |
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Noted Characters |
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Adam |
Damon Wayans Jr. |
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Mack |
Gina Rodriguez |
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Brannagan |
Augustus Prew |
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Little |
Joel Courtney |
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Nick |
Tom Ellis |
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Ashley |
Liza Koshy |
Plot Summary
Despite the film’s name, our lead characters aren’t “Players” in the way commonly used. Adam, Mack, Brannagan, and Little (government name: Ryan) would run plays so everyone could have a one-night stand. Each play was elaborate, and they have been doing these for at least 12 years, with Little joining within the last few years.
However, with Mack and Adam in their early 30s, Mack 33 to be exact, the group is increasingly growing tired of playing games. Enter Nick, a finalist for a Pulitzer, who speaks multiple languages and is considered a serious reporter. Mack recognizes he is a catch, so she comes up with a whole new play that is focused on her getting into a relationship with Nick. One that requires everyone to participate, including a new player to the game, Ashley, whether they have personal apprehension or not.
Content Information
- Dialog: Cursing
- Violence: N/A
- Sexual Content: Sexual Situations (Implied)
- Miscellaneous: Drinking, Vomiting
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Adam (Damon Wayans Jr.)
Adam does the visuals for the newspaper he and his friends work at in Brooklyn and is often the co-pilot in the plays.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Long Weekend.”
Mack (Gina Rodriguez)
Mackenzie, though highly preferred to be called Mack, is a writer and a huge sports fan, and you can contribute that to her deceased parents not only being sports fans but also meeting at a baseball game.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Someone Great.”
Brannagan (Augustus Prew)
Bran, full name Brannagan, is the weird member of the group who seemingly doesn’t fully understand where the line is. Which isn’t to say he is a creep, just your run-of-the-mill weirdo.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Almost Love.”
Little (Joel Courtney)
Little, actual name Ryan, is Bran’s little brother who doesn’t work at the paper but visits his brother and the crew so much he minas well be an intern.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Kissing Booth.”
Nick (Tom Ellis)
A polyglot journalist who has covered war zones and was a finalist for a Pulitzer, Mack considers Nick to be a man, the type you don’t just have a one-night stand with but settle down with.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Lucifer.”
Ashley (Liza Koshy)
Ashley, the boss’s secretary, finds herself lured into Mack’s plan to snag Nick, partly due to her thinking Ryan is cute.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Work It.”
Review
Highlights
The Whole Idea Of 12 Years of Relationship Plays
Honestly, one of the most interesting ideas that are presented in the film are the different ways you and your friends can play wingman through various methods. It’s the kind of idea you’d expect to have fleshed out in a series, for just imagine how many plays have been made over 12 years. Then when you add in the story behind each play, whether they were successful or failed, then with Bran being bi-sexual, a showing of how plays can be modified for when it is homosexual?
Truly, the premise has legs.
On The Fence
Wishing You Got To Learn More About The Group
When it comes to “Players,” it uses the less is more approach. Yes, we learn Mack’s parents died and how they met, but things are murky when it comes to her past relationship with Adam, never mind how the group formed. Yes, we know there are 12 years of plays, but what started it all, and has everyone really, strictly, only focused on hookups for 12 years?
Some questions are more pressing than others, and most of the questions we have are due to minimal character-building, at least beyond anything that can further Adam and Mack’s relationship. But, while you may wish to learn more about this person or that person or why Little doesn’t have a job, it isn’t a big enough issue to ruin the movie.
Recommendations
Good If You Like
- Watching people oblivious to their chemistry seek out other people
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