Ricky Stanicky ★★☆☆☆
Prime Video’s Attempt at Comedy Feels More Like a Prank Gone Wrong
Imagine if an inside joke from your teenage years grew legs, stumbled into adulthood, and demanded two hours of your time. That, in a nutshell, is Ricky Stanicky—a film so committed to its juvenile roots, it’s almost endearing. Almost. Directed by Peter Farrelly, who once upon a time gave us Dumb and Dumber and There’s Something About Mary, this Amazon Prime comedy tries to juggle the same blend of raunch and heart but ends up dropping the ball and rolling it into a pile of poop jokes. Literally.
The film centers on three childhood friends—Dean (Zac Efron), JT (Andrew Santino), and Wes (Jermaine Fowler)—who have been using the fake persona of “Ricky Stanicky” as their go-to scapegoat for two decades. When their significant others finally demand to meet the elusive Ricky, the guys hire a washed-up actor, Rod (John Cena), to play the role. Hilarity should ensue, but what you get instead is a cocktail of missed opportunities and recycled gags that overstays its welcome.
While Ricky Stanicky sets itself up as a wild ride through the chaos of middle-aged immaturity, it occasionally brushes up against themes of responsibility and personal growth. However, any potential depth is quickly buried under layers of slapstick and cringe-inducing jokes. The film wants to be a buddy comedy with a heartwarming message about growing up, but the emotional beats feel as fake as the titular character.
Peter Farrelly’s visual approach here is as subtle as a pie to the face, which is to say, not at all. His fondness for shock humor is evident, but it lacks the punch of his previous work. The film’s aesthetic matches its tone: a bright, garish world where everything is over-the-top, yet somehow underwhelming. Whether it’s Cena decked out in Britney Spears cosplay or a corporate meeting interrupted by wildly inappropriate hand gestures, the visuals aim for absurdity but end up just looking awkward.
John Cena is Ricky Stanicky’s saving grace. As the ridiculous actor-turned-scapegoat, Cena throws himself into the role with an enthusiasm that’s hard not to admire, even if the script does him no favors. His deadpan delivery of some truly ludicrous lines manages to wring out a few laughs. Efron, on the other hand, plays the straight man with earnestness, but his character is stuck in a loop of mild exasperation. The supporting cast, including William H. Macy as an absurdly inappropriate boss, flounder in roles that never quite find their footing.
At just under two hours, Ricky Stanicky feels twice as long. The plot stretches thin in the middle, with repetitive gags that drag out scenes past their breaking point. The structure stumbles as it tries to balance raunchy humor with heartwarming moments, and by the time the film veers into a bizarre circumcision scene (yes, really), you’ll likely find yourself checking how much time is left.
There’s a particular brand of humor here that’s squarely aimed at those who enjoy seeing grown men behave like teenagers without consequences. If that’s your cup of tea, Ricky Stanicky might hit the spot. For the rest of us, it feels like watching someone else’s inside joke for far too long, and by the end, you’re just left wondering why this joke never evolved beyond its juvenile origins.
Ricky Stanicky may find its audience among fans of broad, lowbrow humor, or those who are just here for John Cena’s commitment to absurdity. But for most viewers, it’s an example of a comedy that tries to be outrageous and heartfelt at the same time, failing to hit either target. If you’re a diehard Farrelly fan, give it a watch; otherwise, you might want to let this imaginary friend stay in the past.
