Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Just Play Dead

Play trailer 1:49 Poster for Just Play Dead R Aug 2026 1h 36m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 7 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.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

Just Play Dead

Critics Reviews

View More
Craig D. Lindsey RogerEbert.com 6d
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. Go to Full Review Todd Gilchrist Variety 6d
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. Go to Full Review Casey Chong Casey's Movie Mania 2d
1/5
Not even enlisting Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green can salvage this dull exposition-heavy crime comedy. Go to Full Review Robert Kojder Flickering Myth 5d
1.5/5
A twisty, sometimes nonlinear, comedic thriller about a rich couple on a tropical island who scheme to kill one another shouldn’t be this dull Go to Full Review Brett Arnold At the Movies Again 6d
This movie is 90% exposition and convoluted plotting Go to Full Review Mark Dujsik Mark Reviews Movies 6d
1.5/4
The movie wants to fool us, but its cheap and deceptive tactics are transparently ridiculous. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Xeviera T @Xeviera 1d This film was so unsatisfying I suspected Mr. Jackson might be cheating on his wife with the lead actress. Because what ever could have possessed him to take on this project? I knew it would be bad from the first shot of his man bun. I only watched the entirety because of denial. The confusing accents of the cast grated on my nerves. Boo hiss. See more Read all reviews
Just Play Dead

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Martin Campbell

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Jack Wolfe

Eva Green

Nora Wolfe

Eoin Macken

Dani

Lee Boardman

Miguel

María Pedraza

Bianca
View All

Just Play Dead

Just Play Dead: Trailer 1 Just Play Dead: Trailer 1 1:49 Now Playing View more videos
View All

Just Play Dead

View more photos

Movie Info

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
Head Gear Films, Gemstone Films, Atelier11
Rating
R (Sexual Content|Drug Use|Rape|Language|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
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings