Critic Reviews

Right away, you know that “Ride or Die,” Prime Video’s eight-episode series, will be in the vein of action/comedy flicks dating back to the ‘80s, yet somehow it works.

So maybe Ride or Die isn’t quite singular enough to inspire the kind of devotion referenced in its title. But it’s more than winning enough to follow to the end of this adventure, at least, and perhaps on to the next.

Despite all the narrative improbabilities and a regular defiance of physics, Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer are so distractingly funny and charming that a viewer goes along for the ride.

It’s the perimenopausal comedy thriller caper of your dreams, but one that everyone can enjoy.

Ride or Die is to be enjoyed for its two central performances and the chemistry between them. Spencer has serious acting chops and an Oscar under her belt but she also excels at comedy. As for the larger-than-life Waddingham, her charisma and energy power the whole adventure.

A well-made series full of great action, acting, and intrigue that’s all pulled together and elevated by Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham’s effortless chemistry, talent, and charm.

This is a series that sizes up a challenge, squares its shoulders, and says “I am she,” offering an occasionally flawed, frequently fun, and always entertaining spy comedy.

Shaving at least one plotline — or even cutting down to seven episodes — could have made this a more focused season from start to finish. .... The overall success of Ride or Die lives and "dies" by its two leads (pun intended), and Debbie and Judith's friendship is ultimately why it sticks the landing.

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.

It might have worked better if they dropped two episodes a week—like a K-drama. I may not be texting “you must watch” alerts to my friends, but I enjoyed this.