Ride Or Die Review: Octavia Spencer's Assassin Comedy Is A Chaotic & Thrilling Adventure

Jul 14, 2026 - 13:17

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Ride Or Die Review: Octavia Spencer's Assassin Comedy Is A Chaotic & Thrilling Adventure

Published Jul 14, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT

Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, and horror of all kinds. They also cover Marvel and DC TV shows and movies, with a robust knowledge of comic books. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes.

Dani is also part of ScreenRant's books team, using their fiction writing and literature studies as the backbone for their book analyses.

They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review of Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer.

In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.

Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.

Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham take viewers on an action-packed joyride in Prime Video’s Ride or Die, delivering a story that's as thrilling as it is heartfelt. Adrenaline-fueled action TV shows and movies are the name of the game with summer releases, and Prime Video's new show delivers.

In the Prime Video original show, Debbie Claybourne (Spencer) and Judith Burton (Waddingham) have a two-decade-long friendship that has seen them through thick and thin. However, their relationship gets tested when Debbie learns that Judith works for a secret organization as a skilled assassin. To make matters worse, her husband stole millions from the mob, and Judith might be the only person capable of getting Debbie off the mob's hit list. Across eight episodes, the two best friends go on an action-packed journey that could redefine their relationship.

Creator and writer Tessa Coates tapped into two men-dominated genres – action, especially the assassin subgenre, and buddy comedies – when she created Ride or Die, which centers on two women in their 50s who are badass and resourceful. For it to succeed, she needed two actors who could knock it out of the ballpark. Luckily, the production team brought on the perfect duo with Spencer and Waddingham.

With an engaging premise and a stacked cast, Ride or Die had everything needed to thrive against competitors, and it mostly succeeds in its goal, despite the unbearably clichéd writing.

Ride Or Die’s Story Is The Weakest Part Of The Action-Comedy Show

Prime Video’s action-comedy series Ride or Die is fun and entertaining, but not for its mind-blowing storyline. The writing left me wanting. Despite an intriguing premise, the show's plot felt uninspired. “A corrupt man steals money from the mob, and his wife has to pay them back or die.” “A woman discovers that her best friend lives a double life and gets roped into the action.” “A trusted person isn't so trustworthy after all.” All three of these descriptions fit Ride or Die plus at least a dozen other action TV shows and movies. There are more examples I could give of overarching cliches, but they would include major spoilers. So, I'll refrain. What's more, the problems also extend further to specific scenes. I frequently uttered, “Oh, this is like [insert movie title].”

Ride or Die became a little less derivative in the second half. Unfortunately, even with the improvements, Ride or Die’s plot was the weakest part of the assassin buddy comedy. I predicted who would live and die. I saw most of the reveals and plot twists coming. I found myself more intrigued by the B-plot centering on Judith’s colleague Billy and the document forger Queenie. They were not only more compelling characters than the folks involved in the A-plot, but the story felt fresher.

That said, the story is passable, so long as folks aren't expecting an exhilarating new story. Also, the main story did have a few spikes of interest in episodes 2 and 5. Rather than lasting the full 45 to 50 minutes, these spikes lasted about 10 to 15 minutes. Additionally, the last episode and a half of the season were much better in terms of engaging writing, unique storylines, and unpredictable twists that still felt earned. Because of the sharp increase in writing quality, I'd be more than happy to watch a second season, hoping the story stays at the same level.

The Action Sequences & Fight Scenes Will Get Your Adrenaline Pumping

Hannah Waddingham rides a motorcycle in Ride or Die

Despite the lackluster story, Prime Video's Ride or Die is still an exhilarating watch, and much of that comes down to the action sequences and fight scenes, which unfold in captivating settings. It’s not all just Judith and Debbie running down the street while villains shoot at them. The fights take place in beautiful-looking buildings and in moving cars. They happen when the characters wear formal gowns and also leather jackets. The variety keeps the show interesting.

This is only made better by the choreography from brilliant stunt coordinator Jan Petřina. Watching Ride or Die, it's clear that she understood not every character in the show would handle the action and danger in the same way. The choreography feels individualized to each character, their skills, and their background.

For instance, Debbie might be smart and resourceful, but she is not a professional assassin. When she’s running from an enemy or avoiding gunshots, he will act more like a civilian stuck in a dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Judith has been in the field as an assassin for over 20 years. She’s going to be much more adept at weaponry and hand-to-hand combat. She would be much more tactical-minded than her best friend.

By personalizing these scenes to the characters, the show becomes much more visually engaging. What’s more, I found myself in complete awe with the knowledge that Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddington performed at least some of their own stunts, which they confirmed to USA Today.

Octavia Spencer & Hannah Waddingham’s Performances Make Ride Or Die Worth The Watch

When I first heard of Ride or Die, I knew I had to watch the TV show because Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham are incredible actresses. The trailer only increased the hype. Despite my impossibly high expectations, Spencer and Waddingham absolutely blew them out of the water with their performances as Judith and Debbie, proving once again why both are award-winning actresses.

The best friends in the Prime Video original feel like two halves of a whole, with a connection so magnetic that one will shift and the other moves alongside her. Their relationship feels lived-in, with inside jokes and a deep platonic love that’s stronger than any romantic possibility. Judith and Debbie’s relationship feels so real, aside from the assassin twist, that I found myself wondering if Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham had actually been best friends their entire lives.

Judith and Debbie’s dedication to one another makes Ride or Die just as emotional as it is thrilling. Even when they’re at odds, these two best friends continue to show up for each other time and time again. Of course, neither is perfect. They are really tested a few times, where one or the other falters. Still, they come back together because their friendship is truly special.

This wouldn’t feel so believable and meaningful if it weren’t for the performances from the lead actresses. Ultimately, Spencer and Waddingham’s connection is the lifeblood of Ride or Die, and that alone is a good enough reason to watch the action-comedy.

All episodes of Ride or Die are available on Prime Video on July 15!