

Netflix
I January 17, 2025 I 114 mins. I
CAST:
Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Kyle Chandler,
Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou,
McKenna Roberts, Rylan Jackson
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DIRECTED BY:
Years after giving up life as CIA spies to start a family, Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) find themselves dragged back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.
TBA%
* As of 1/16/25
REVIEW BY: Darren Zakus - 1/16/25
RATING 3.5 out of 5
Back in Action kicks off the 2025 movie year with a crowd pleasing action flick that brings Cameron Diaz out of retirement and pairs her perfectly with Jamie Foxx, creating one action packed, hilarious and entertaining film from start to finish.
When Jamie Foxx approaches you asking to star alongside him in his latest film, not only do you say yes, but if you’re Cameron Diaz, you come out of retirement for it. After being one of the most in demand actresses of the 1990s, 2000s and early 2010s with hit films like My Best Friend’s Wedding, Any Given Sunday, Charlie’s Angels and Shrek, Diaz retired from acting after 2014’s Annie in which she also co-starred with Foxx. But much like the title of the latest Netflix film, Diaz is back in action and instantly reminds audiences why she was one of Hollywood’s most beloved box office stars. With an infectious on screen chemistry between Diaz and Foxx that breathes life into this family centric action comedy from director Seth Gordon, there is no shortage of entertainment value in Back in Action, which is easily one of the stronger Netflix action flicks in recent memory.
Being no stranger to comedy or action, having directed films like Horrible Bosses and episodes of series such as The Night Agent, Gordon’s latest film that he co-wrote with Brendan O’Brien ventures into the realm of action and family comedies. While reminiscent of 2023’s The Family Plan and playing with tropes of the spy genre, Gordon and O’Brien never lose sight of entertaining viewers within their screenplay. From double crosses, action packed set pieces with fun needle drops of songs that the children in the film won’t recognize (even if some of them feature some rougher CGI), Andrew Scott’s MI6 agent with mysterious motives who is pining for Diaz (because who wouldn’t be), and hilarious moments with Diaz and Foxx’s characters trying to manage their teenage children, the script works on numerous fronts. With delightful moments where Diaz and Foxx insist they are not boomers, lying to their children to hide their past as spies, and kicking some serious ass with great choreographed fight sequences, it’s easy to look past the film’s predictable narrative as Gordon and his team are conjuring up pure popcorn entertainment on screen. And like any good Netflix streaming film, there is a nice sequel tease in the film’s final scene, and it’s hard not to be excited for one just to see Diaz and Foxx share the screen yet again.
Given that it is their third film together, it comes as no surprise that Diaz and Foxx are absolute dynamite together as Emily and Matt. From the very first scene, their effortless charm and energetic presence on screen dynamic washes across the audience and injects the entire film with an undeniable entertainment value. Never missing a comedic beat, Diaz and Foxx shine from start to finish, not only demonstrating why they are two well accomplished actors, but one powerhouse pairing that you can never go wrong with. And frankly, it’s nice seeing Diaz back on screen again as she is a great actress whose presence has been missed for the past decade.
While she has been hit or miss lately with her performances, Glenn Close is a delight as Emily’s mother Ginny, a retired MI6 agent, giving Close some fun comedic moments that lets her wield weapons and dabble in the action. But beyond that, it is her scenes with Diaz and McKenna Roberts, who portrays Emily and Matt’s daughter Alice, that helps the film find its heart. Andrew Scott is excellent as always as the mysterious Damon, hunting down Emily and Matt despite his poorly hidden feelings for Emily, mixing humour with a darkness, while Jamie Demetrious generates some great laughs as Nigel. Roberts and Rylan Jackson, who star as Emily and Matt’s children, are both more than capable and build a great family dynamic with Diaz and Foxx, ensuring that the central aspect of the film never falters for a moment.
Even though Netflix action films miss more often than hitting their marks, Back in Action easily joins the upper echelon of the streaming giant’s lineup of action flicks thanks to the brilliant pairing of its lead stars and the great balance of action, comedy and family drama that will win audiences over. The fact that the film features Cameron Diaz’s return to acting is more than enough to convince audiences to click play while scrolling through Netflix this weekend, it’s the non-stop line up of fun action, great laughs and no shortage of strong performances from a star studded cast that will seal the deal. Welcoming Cameron Diaz back to the silver screen with a bang alongside Jamie Foxx, the two of them dazzle in every second of Seth Gordon’s Back in Action, that in addition to a great supporting cast of Glenn Close, Andrew Scott and Jamie Demetriou, delivers on action spectacle full of laughter and heart that makes for a strong action film to add to Netflix’s vast filmography.