Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- irreverent
- witty
- mischievous
- lazy weekend
- comedy night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the crime comedy overstuffed and laborious, with an awkward clash between its leading stars, though a minority viewed it more favorably.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kevin Caffery's theft attempt becomes a personal feud after Max Fairbanks uses his wealth and authority to take Kevin's cherished ring.
The ring given to Kevin by his girlfriend functions as the concrete object around which revenge and recovery efforts revolve.
The film turns a burglary, retaliation, and competing schemes between thieves and a businessman into exaggerated mainstream comedy.
Martin Lawrence's energetic thief confronts Danny DeVito's wealthy antagonist, creating a central contrast in comic performance styles.
Films like What's the Worst That Could Happen?, and why
Blue Streak
broad crime comedy built around a professional thief, escalating schemes, and irreverent humor
The Jewel of the Nile
comic clash between criminals and wealthy adversaries with a brisk, star-driven tone
The Hot Rock
ensemble caper comedy centered on theft, deception, and escalating revenge schemes
The Score
stylized crime farce combining charismatic thieves, comic reversals, and mainstream entertainment
Movie Details
- Director
- Sam Weisman
- Release Date
- 2001-05-31
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (353)
Cast
- Martin Lawrence
- Danny DeVito
- John Leguizamo
- Glenne Headly
- Carmen Ejogo
- Bernie Mac
- Larry Miller
- Nora Dunn
- William Fichtner
- Richard Schiff
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is What's the Worst That Could Happen? about?
- A master thief wages an increasingly ridiculous campaign against the tycoon who took his lucky ring.
- What is What's the Worst That Could Happen? like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of What's the Worst That Could Happen? as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is What's the Worst That Could Happen? violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in What's the Worst That Could Happen? as mild.
- What did critics think of What's the Worst That Could Happen??
- Critics broadly found the crime comedy overstuffed and laborious, with an awkward clash between its leading stars, though a minority viewed it more favorably.
- Which films are like What's the Worst That Could Happen??
- Films with a similar feel include Blue Streak, The Jewel of the Nile, The Hot Rock, and The Score.
- How long is What's the Worst That Could Happen??
- What's the Worst That Could Happen? runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch What's the Worst That Could Happen??
- In United States, What's the Worst That Could Happen? streams on Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
