John Cena Shines in Whimsical Antics of Ricky Stanicky: A Comedy That Delivers Giggles Over Grit

The newest original from Prime Video, Ricky Stanicky, is a fun comedy that’s perfect for when you want to turn your brain off and just relax. It follows the exploits of three lifelong friends—Dean (Zac Efron), JT (Andrew Santino), and Wes (Jermaine Fowler)—who have spent the last twenty years blaming their antics on a fictitious character named “Ricky Stanicky” that no one has actually seen. Need an excuse to avoid a gathering? Just say you have an unavoidable commitment with Ricky! Want to fob off your expenses? Ricky will take the fall! Planning to go to a concert? You’re busy helping Ricky on that day!

But Ricky isn’t just any ordinary figment of their imagination. He is a philanthropist who has been sober for seven years, assists hurricane victims, builds orphanages, and is exceptionally eco-conscious. He’s battled cancer twice and even lost a testicle. (Hmm… seems like the scriptwriters took creative license a bit too liberally here!)

The trio’s charade is put at risk when they inadvertently miss the delivery of TJ’s wife, who is expecting, while they sneak off to a Marc Rebillet concert in Atlantic City, claiming they were aiding Ricky during a supposed “emergency surgery” in Albany with their phones turned off.

Up until now, the trio has been skillfully dodging suspicion, but things take a turn when TJ’s mother-in-law, Leona, starts questioning the existence of Ricky Stanicky, putting them all in a tight spot. She insists that if Ricky is real, he must show up at the bris for TJ’s son the following weekend.

Trapped in their web of deceit, the trio opts to hire an actor to portray Ricky for a day. They settle on “Rock Hard Rod” (John Cena)—a “trained actor” they encountered in Atlantic City—and the hilarity ensues!

Ricky Stanicky Review: John Cena’s Vibrant Role Shines

John Cena’s character takes his role as the fictional Ricky Stanicky quite earnestly in the movie.

John Cena portrays a character who is charmingly clueless! He embodies a down-and-out drug user, a heavy drinker, and a has-been actor who harbors an odd obsession with self-indulgence. He performs crude renditions of famous songs like School’s Out, White Wedding, and Baby, I Love Your Way in a dive bar filled with indifferent patrons—when he’s not preoccupied with poorly mimicking famous personalities or sponging off the bar’s customers.

Often blackout drunk, he seems oblivious to the fact that troublemakers are after him. He possesses a misguided self-assurance and an over-the-top optimism. As an unapologetic extrovert, he completely misses social cues, even in dire situations.

Rod views himself as a method actor with profound “artistic integrity” who takes his role exceedingly seriously. And when given the chance to embody Ricky, he truly embraces the character!

Yet there’s more to him than just raunchy tunes, comical impressions, and wacky outfits. He motivates you to pursue your true calling. He offers a space for authenticity and fills you with positive energy.

Whether you intend to or not, you’ll likely find yourself seeing this cringe-inducing persona as a warm-hearted individual you’d want to befriend, much like the other characters in the film who are enchanted by his distinctive charm.

John Cena delivers a standout performance as Rod. His portrayal feels wonderfully natural, eliciting laughter, introspection, and affectionate admiration all at once.

Ricky Stanicky Review: Final Thoughts

The writing in Peter Farrelly’s Ricky Stanicky could have been more nuanced.

Ricky Stanicky proves to be a decent watch for a one-time viewing. Although I wouldn’t call it a classic comedy, it’s an entertaining option for when you’re in the mood to unwind. It could comfortably fit into your guilty pleasure binge-watch collection.

The screenplay could have been significantly more developed, but that would require a bit of thought—a notion the writers clearly wanted to avoid. I suggest not searching for plot holes, as there are plenty to discover. At times, the film resembles an episode from an extended sitcom, striving hard for laughs.

The writing is too formulaic, relying heavily on convenient coincidences. For example, the existence of a script is excessively convenient, as if the trio anticipated that their lies would eventually unravel and they’d need it for some actor. Or the sheer coincidence of meeting Rod right before their family grows suspicious of Ricky Stanicky. If this had been a genre other than comedy, the film might have flopped miserably.

While Cena truly shone with his delightful performance, I found myself slightly let down by Zac Efron, who appeared to have run out of emotional range. Although his troubled childhood is briefly referenced in the film, the character arc feels unfinished, leaving us hanging. On the other hand, Jermaine Fowler’s performance deserves a nod, as he stands out as one of the more grounded characters!

It’s fair to say that Cena effortlessly carried this script, even if the writing was a bit lacking. The film certainly lifted my spirits. Prepare for a mix of cringes and chuckles while watching Ricky Stanicky.