If you’re a sucker for high-octane action with a dash of dark humor, Samara Weaving’s latest flick, Eenie Meanie, is revving up to be a must-watch. From the cutting room floor straight to your Hulu queue this August 22nd, the film promises an adrenaline-fueled ride through Cleveland’s streets that’s anything but your average getaway driver story.
Samara Weaving Shifts Gears: From Scream Queen to Speed Demon
Weaving, beloved for her roles in The Babysitter and Ready or Not, takes the driver’s seat (literally) as a former getaway expert who’s been dragged, kicking and probably cursing, back into the fast lane. Why? Thanks to her disaster of an ex-boyfriend, played with the brooding charm only Karl Glusman (The Bikeriders, Civil War) can muster. Picture this: an ex-model turned reluctant wheelman (or wheelwoman, if we’re keeping it literal) blazing through Ohio’s streets while Ohio itself transforms into the unlikely star of the show.
Yes, this action-comedy isn’t giving us generic car chases in nondescript locations—we’re talking Cleveland, baby. Locals will get a kick out of spotting Hollywood Casino in Toledo and the Flats downtown as the epic backdrop where all the vehicular mayhem unfolds. If the trailer’s anything to go by, it’s not just “The Fast & The Furious” vibes; it’s the pulpy, snarky cousin that skipped prom to hang out behind a 7-Eleven instead.
Who Is Behind This Wheel of Carnage?
Directed and written by Shawn Simmons (The Continental), Eenie Meanie boasts a flavor inspired by Simmons’ background in crafting gritty, compelling stories with a wink of humor. And, oh, it gets better. Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the geniuses who gave us Deadpool, are producers here. Expect whip-smart dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments laced between nail-biting stunts.
And the cast? Stacked doesn’t even begin to cover it. It’s not just Weaving and Glusman tearing up your screen. Steve Zahn (The White Lotus) dips his toes into beautifully chaotic territory, Andy Garcia (Ocean’s Eleven) lends his signature gravitas, and Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat) provides extra comedic oomph. Plus, former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch (Bottoms) takes a surprise turn here, proving he can do more than just bulldoze defenses.
Why Ohio?
The film, which was produced under the working title Stickshift, was shot entirely in Ohio, courtesy of a $12.2 million Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit. And it seems the investment paid off. Cleveland looks like the perfect playground for an exhilarating car chase, marrying that classic Midwest grit with shiny, fast-paced storytelling.
But Eenie Meanie isn’t just about showing off local landmarks. It’s also part of Ohio’s larger renaissance as a film production hub. According to the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, this and other productions last year racked up $77.8 million in local spending, gobbled up hotel nights like candy, and even put 3,000 crew members and 2,500 extras to work.
Revving Up for the Release
Even if you’re not typically into car chases and ex-loves who make bad choices (we’ve all had at least one, right?), Samara Weaving’s undeniable charm and Eenie Meanie’s self-aware tone might just win you over. The trailer itself—which has already racked up over a million YouTube views (because of course it has)—teases a dangerous cocktail of laughs, action, and stylish direction.
Frankly, we’re here for anything that brings a unique voice to the action genre, and Eenie Meanie looks like it’s doing donuts around the usual suspects, with Weaving being the catalyst of that voice. With Reese and Wernick’s talent pumping through its veins and Simmons steering the ship, this one might just burn rubber into your list of favorites.
Final Thoughts
Samara Weaving in Eenie Meanie isn’t just another action star plugging away at soulless blockbusters. Weaving’s the sardonic, take-no-prisoners antihero we’ve been craving. And while the premise might sound familiar (ex-criminal gets dragged back in), the execution is set to take us for a fresh, thrillingly chaotic ride.
Catch Eenie Meanie on Hulu starting August 22nd—but do yourself a favor and check out the trailer first. (Spoiler alert: It’s every bit as ridiculous and delightful as you’d expect.) Samara’s behind the wheel, Cleveland’s the track, and all we can say is, buckle up.
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