The Other Guys
The brief
Adam McKay turns the buddy cop formula inside out with Will Ferrell as a meek forensic accountant and Mark Wahlberg as his rage-filled, perpetually confused partner who's terrified of ballet dancers. The action sequences feel deliberately absurd while Michael Keaton steals every scene as their captain who unconsciously quotes TLC lyrics, and the whole thing builds to genuinely spectacular car chases and shootouts that somehow work despite the ridiculous setup. It's smarter than it pretends to be, weaving in actual financial crime commentary between Wahlberg's manic outbursts and Ferrell's deadpan weirdness. Perfect if you loved Anchorman but wish it had more explosions and surprisingly coherent Wall Street satire.
The verdict
If you enjoy Will Ferrell's absurd humor and can appreciate action comedy that mixes genuine laughs with surprisingly smart Wall Street satire, this is a hilarious subversion of buddy cop movies that actually delivers on both comedy and spectacle. If you prefer your comedies more grounded or can't stand Ferrell's particular brand of awkward weirdness paired with Wahlberg's manic energy, you'll find this too ridiculous and over-the-top to enjoy.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for friends who love quotable comedies
- ⚠️ Skip if you hate Will Ferrell's style
Heads up
- Frequent strong language throughout (frequent)
- Action violence and gun fights (moderate)
- Sexual references and crude humor (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Adam McKay
- Cast
- Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Ray Stevenson, Samuel L. Jackson
Official synopsis
Unlike their heroic counterparts on the force, desk-bound NYPD detectives Gamble and Hoitz garner no headlines
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Point Break (1991)
Both blend buddy cop comedy with over-the-top action sequences.
Total runtime: 1h 47m + 2h 2m = 3h 49m
