Just Play Dead

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Just Play Dead

R

Aug 2026

1h 36m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

9%

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11 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Wealthy criminal mastermind Jack Wolfe (Samuel L. Jackson) is cornered by the Feds, but you can't arrest a dead man. His plan? Fake his death, claim a $30 million insurance payout with his grieving wife Nora (Eva Green), and frame her surfer lover Chad. But Nora, suffocated by Jack's ruthless control, has her own scheme: kill Jack for real, frame Chad, and keep the fortune for herself. Jack, always a step ahead, sets a deadly trap, turning the unsuspecting lovers against each other.

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Phil Hoad

Guardian

Sep 28, 2026

3/5

Lacking much mordant snap in the dialogue, and dependent on a trio of over-familiar stereotypes, it’s never quite as funny or sharp as it thinks it is. It has its moments, though.

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Craig D. Lindsey

RogerEbert.com

Aug 28, 2026

1/4

At least it looks like Jackson had some fun both enjoying and chewing the scenery whenever he could. Too bad he’s the only one.

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Todd Gilchrist

Variety

Aug 27, 2026

Even with Samuel L. Jackson among his lead actors and journeyman director Martin Campbell at the helm, "Just Play Dead" feels more like a tax shelter (especially given its Canary Islands production backdrop) than a proper crime yarn.

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Andrew Murray

The Upcoming

5 days ago

2/5

Despite a charismatic turn from Jackson, this deadly cat-and-mouse affair from Casino Royale director Martin Campbell isn’t funny enough to work as a comedy and is too convoluted to generate satisfying thrills.

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Michael Cook

KLRT-TV

Sep 25, 2026

3/10

This movie is so bad I think they deliberately made it bad to get a tax write-off. That's the only explanation why this movie is so horrible.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Sep 4, 2026

D+

"Just Play Dead" has lovely locations and a lot of sun, but there’s little happening here that commands attention.

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Ken B

@MrBelmont Sep 22, 2026

Ahahahahaaaaahhaaaaa!! Do enjoy this 1980’s flick…that was released in 2026! LMFAO!

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Tazman T

@Tazman940 Sep 21, 2026

Very poor acting with a plot that is especially boring. Don’t waste your time.

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Terry R

@Trouss Sep 19, 2026

I saw this movie had good reviews and Sam Jackson so I watched it. Dont waste your time cause the good reviews are FAKE! The plot wasnt good and the acting was terrible. I am not a fan of actors but can say after watching this awful movie it makes you appreciate the good ones. Even Jackson did a bad acting job. This movie was probably thrown together in a week or so cause it is that bad. I hope Jackson didnt have to spend much on these actors cause honestly they are terrible. I could have done a better job acting. I couldnt even act like this movie was interesting at all. Once you see yhe wife and how she acts you will do what I did and turn the movie off. The movie treats her like everyone wants to be with her. My question is if she is dating Sam Jackson cause that is the only way you can see him casting her. In closing just dont waste your time!

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Austin B

@RT35999578 Sep 12, 2026

Austin B Boswellllgmailcom

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Norma Y

@Norma399 Sep 9, 2026

The script was so bad. There were some good ideas but it always went in the wrong direction.

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tm11999 M

@tm11999 Sep 7, 2026

yeah, no. eva green is too old to play the sex kitten. sam jackson is near 80 and caucasian females would show 0 interest in an 80 year old. plus a confusing end. go trim your nose hairs instead.

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Martin Campbell

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Jack Wolfe

Eva Green

Nora Wolfe

Eoin Macken

Dani

Lee Boardman

Miguel

María Pedraza

Bianca

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Synopsis

Wealthy criminal mastermind Jack Wolfe (Samuel L. Jackson) is cornered by the Feds, but you can't arrest a dead man. His plan? Fake his death, claim a $30 million insurance payout with his grieving wife Nora (Eva Green), and frame her surfer lover Chad. But Nora, suffocated by Jack's ruthless control, has her own scheme: kill Jack for real, frame Chad, and keep the fortune for herself. Jack, always a step ahead, sets a deadly trap, turning the unsuspecting lovers against each other.

Director: Martin Campbell
Producer: Phil Hunt, Valentin Dimitrov, Sagiv Diamant, Phil Hunt, Mario Reinach, Moshe Diamant
Screenwriter: Dan Gordon
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Mendips Film, Atelier11, Head Gear Films, Vacancy Films, Safe Place Films, Metrol Technology, Gemstone Films
Rating: R (Rape|Language|Drug Use|Sexual Content|Some Violent Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2026
Runtime: 1h 36m

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