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A straight-to-streaming original movie from Prime Video, Deep Cover is directed by Tom Kingsley (Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder) and features a stacked cast including Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World), Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean), and Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso). The crime comedy centers on Kat (Howard), an improv comedy teacher beginning to question if she’s missed her shot at success. When an undercover cop offers her the role of a lifetime, she recruits two of her students to infiltrate London’s gangland by impersonating dangerous criminals. Snappy and entertaining with a strong cast that boasts superb comedic timing, Deep Cover is a fun, if safe, easy watch that’s fit for the streaming age.
It’s easy to pre-judge Deep Cover by its lazy poster and marketing, and combined with the fact that it’s going straight to streaming, it hasn’t gotten off to the best start. However, Deep Cover is actually a pretty competent little flick and may be on track to surprise a fair few viewers. It doesn’t have any huge action set pieces or particularly memorable comedic sequences, but it does what it says on the tin and provides an easily digestible, occasionally funny watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The crime sub-plot isn’t particularly intricate, but given our leading trio are a group of comedians, this helps it stay quite grounded and avoid unnecessary convolution. It moves at a fast pace, which complements the 100-minute run-time, the London setting is utilised well, and the improv comedy sub-plot actually feels quite fresh and unique. The fish out of water trope is certainly overused, but audiences enjoy it for a reason. Seeing our trio thrust into shocking situations after shocking situations provides plenty of entertainment, and seeing them attempt to navigate this criminal underworld has the ability to make us laugh along the way.
With a cast this stacked, it’s easy to wonder whether Deep Cover would’ve had the same impact with different actors. However, it’s a good thing our cast is made up of greats, because they all deliver excellent performances. Nick Mohammed does what he does best, coming across as his usual charming yet awkward, softly-spoken self, who comes into his own as the run-time progresses. Joining Kat’s class to gain some confidence and make an impression on his colleagues, he gets far more than he bargained for, and Mohammed aces that trepidatious nature. Bryce Dallas Howard chews the scenery as she usually does and acts as our leader of the pack, her character, Kat, guiding her two students into this unknown world of crime. A teacher who sees her students come into opportunities but never quite lands any herself, Howard takes her characters good with the bad and is as layered as the script allows her to be. The shining star here, however, is Orlando Bloom, which will likely come as no surprise. His comedic timing is on point, his delivery of the script is flawless, and every time he is on screen, he is captivating. A down-on-his-luck actor who cannot seem to land a role outside of TV adverts, Marlon is a very stereotypical character, but Bloom breathes fresh air into the trope. The supporting cast is also made up of household name talent, including good turns from Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz) and Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings).
Deep Cover isn’t going to reinvent the wheel, and it’s certainly not without error. It hints at themes of isolation, finding yourself, and feeling like a failure, but it doesn’t quite get deep enough to have something to say. We know Kat is behind in her career, Hugh can’t seem to make friends in the workplace, and Marlon can’t land a role, but it only hits the surface level with our characters and severely lacks depth. Also, from a comedy movie with three ‘comedians’ at the centre, Deep Cover isn’t overly funny. It may have one or two laughs filtered throughout, but it doesn’t boast the humor that this script promises. Furthermore, it’s not the script itself that’s funny, but the way it’s delivered. Our cast does a lot of heavy lifting here, and due to their effortless charm and star power, they’re able to make even the low-hanging fruit funnier than it should be.
Deep Cover may feel underdeveloped in its crime, characters, and comedy, but what it lacks in laughs, it makes up for in entertainment. A true crowdpleaser that can be watched from the comfort of your own home, Deep Cover is an easy viewing popcorn flick that is worth seeing for the cast alone. You’re certain to let out a couple of chuckles, especially when Orlando Bloom is front and centre.
Grade: C
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Deep Cover
Kat is an improv comedy teacher beginning to question if she’s missed her shot at success. When an undercover cop offers her the role of a lifetime, she recruits two of her students to infiltrate London’s gangland by impersonating dangerous criminals.
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Director: Tom Kingsley
Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard , Orlando Bloom , Nick Mohammed
