“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

Screenplay By

Whit Anderson

Based On Work By

N/A

Date Released (Netflix)

February 14, 2024

Genre(s)

Comedy

Romance

Film Length

1 Hour 45 Minutes

Content Rating

Rated TV-MA

Noted Characters

Adam

Damon Wayans Jr.

Mack

Gina Rodriguez

Brannagan

Augustus Prew

Little

Joel Courtney

Nick

Tom Ellis

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.)

Bran (Augustus Prew), Adam (Damon Wayans Jr.), and Mack (Gina Rodriguez) looking at Nick in awe
“Bran (Augustus Prew), Adam (Damon Wayans Jr.), and Mack (Gina Rodriguez) looking at Nick in awe,” Players, directed by Trish Sie, 2024, (Netflix)

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.

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)

Ashley (Liza Koshy) and Little (Joel Courtney) in a bar with the rest of the crew
“Ashley (Liza Koshy) and Little (Joel Courtney) in a bar with the rest of the crew,” Players, directed by Trish Sie, 2024, (Netflix)

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.

Nick (Tom Ellis)

Nick (Tom Ellis) asking where the boss' office is?
“Nick (Tom Ellis) asking where the boss’ office is?,” Players, directed by Trish Sie, 2024, (Netflix)

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

If You Like This Movie, We Recommend:

  1. Which Brings Me To You

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Players – Review

Summary

Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)

“Players” is a fun rom-com that may end up forgotten within weeks of watching, but there is no denying the premise had the potential for something bigger and better.

Overall
80%
80%
  • The Whole Idea Of 12 Years of Relationship Plays - 83%
    83%
  • Wishing You Got To Learn More About The Group - 77%
    77%

Highlight(s)

  • The Whole Idea Of 12 Years of Relationship Plays

Disputable

  • Wishing You Got To Learn More About The Group

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