Play Dirty: What Critics Are Saying About Mark Wahlberg’s New Crime Thriller

Play Dirty, the latest crime thriller directed by Shane Black (Iron Man 3, The Nice Guys), has officially hit streaming, premiering on Prime Video. With a cast led by Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield, the film promised a gritty, fast-paced heist story with a star-studded ensemble and the production backing of none other than Robert Downey Jr. However, critical reactions have been divided, with Play Dirty landing at a 52% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of its release day, based on 21 reviews.

The movie has drawn attention not only because of its cast but also because it marks Shane Black’s return to the director’s chair after a noticeable absence. Known for blending action with witty dialogue and offbeat humor, Black has built a reputation as a filmmaker who injects character-driven banter into traditionally high-octane stories. With Play Dirty, expectations were high for a sharp, stylish thriller that would showcase Wahlberg and Stanfield in an unpredictable underworld setting.

What Play Dirty Is About

According to the official Prime Video summary, the film follows Parker (played by Wahlberg), an expert thief who embarks on the biggest heist of his life. Together with Grofield (LaKeith Stanfield), Zen (Rosa Salazar), and a highly skilled crew, Parker sets his sights on a lucrative score that unexpectedly places them at odds with the New York mob.

The movie blends the traditional heist setup with gritty underworld intrigue. But beyond the plot mechanics, Shane Black leans into his trademark style: witty exchanges, stylized violence, and a tongue-in-cheek sense of danger. The rating? A hard R—unsurprising for a film that mixes sharp humor with bursts of brutality.

Rotten Tomatoes Snapshot

As of Wednesday’s debut, Play Dirty has earned:

• Critics’ Score: 52% “Rotten” (based on 21 reviews)
• Critics Consensus: Pending
• Audience Score / Popcornmeter: Pending

That puts the film in mixed-to-negative territory, but it’s worth noting that Black’s movies have often inspired divided reactions. Some critics find his style clever and refreshing, while others view it as overindulgent or uneven. Play Dirty appears to continue that trend.

What Critics Are Saying

Negative Review: The Hollywood Reporter

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter was among the first top critics to weigh in negatively, citing the film’s structural problems. In his words:

“For almost the entire bloated two-hour run time, [Shane] Black keeps his foot on the accelerator in the hope that audiences won't notice the haphazard, barely logical plotting.”

Rooney argues that while the pace is relentless, the story lacks coherence, suggesting that the film’s constant motion masks a thin and illogical narrative.

Positive Review: Variety

On the flip side, Owen Gleiberman of Variety gave the film a positive review, finding charm in its throwback style:

“An action-comedy throwback powered by enough casual violence to inspire more grins than groans. [Shane] Black, as a director, has made this retro action power cheese his brand, not always successfully. But in this case, he reminds you of why he’s good at it.”

Gleiberman sees Play Dirty as quintessential Shane Black—irreverent, slightly campy, and intentionally leaning into genre clichés while keeping the action entertaining.

Positive Review: The Wrap

William Bibbiani of The Wrap also landed in the “fresh” column, though his praise came with tongue-in-cheek humor. He praised the cast while poking fun at Wahlberg’s signature screen persona:

“The people who understand the assignment and did the homework are the real heroes. Meanwhile, Mark Wahlberg, Mark Wahlbergs, all Mark Wahlbergily. He’s a comforting presence in a movie where his job was to intimidate.”

Bibbiani highlights how Wahlberg’s performance may feel familiar, but ultimately works within the film’s tone. His presence anchors the chaos, even if it doesn’t stretch his acting range.

The Cast

Beyond Wahlberg and Stanfield, the supporting cast gives Play Dirty added star power. Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel) plays Zen, part of the heist crew. The ensemble also includes:

• Keegan-Michael Key
• Chukwudi Iwuji (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)
• Nat Wolff
• Thomas Jane
• Tony Shalhoub

This diverse cast adds layers of humor, menace, and unpredictability, a hallmark of Shane Black’s ensemble-driven scripts.

Shane Black’s Signature Touch

Black’s reputation as a screenwriter and director is built on his ability to fuse buddy-comedy rhythms with violent, stylish action. From Lethal Weapon (which he wrote) to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys, his work thrives on banter and genre subversion.

With Play Dirty, he revisits themes of loyalty, betrayal, and absurdity within crime storytelling. But the critical split suggests not everyone feels the execution matched the ambition. Some critics view it as a fun, violent romp. Others call it disorganized and bloated.

The Verdict So Far

While Play Dirty may not be the critical darling some hoped for, it offers what Shane Black fans have come to expect: witty exchanges, stylized shootouts, and characters caught in morally murky waters.

At 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film sits in the middle ground—likely to appeal to those who enjoy Black’s specific flavor of action-comedy, but frustrating for viewers looking for a more polished, tightly constructed thriller.

Still, with Wahlberg’s star power, Stanfield’s cool charisma, and the curiosity factor of Robert Downey Jr. as executive producer, Play Dirty is likely to draw plenty of viewers now that it’s streaming on Prime Video.

Final Word

Play Dirty is exactly what its title suggests: messy, violent, and not afraid to embrace its pulp roots. While critics are split, the film may find its biggest fans among audiences who appreciate Shane Black’s willingness to turn a gritty crime caper into a quirky, chaotic ride.

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