Not to ruin a movie before we even start, but does Netflix have an original comedy problem? As a studio, when Netflix has been behind an original comedy film, the results have been poor almost every time. I’m not talking about romantic comedies where it’s 20% comedy/80% romance or some laugh-out-loud Oscar movie; I’m talking about a comedian whose sole purpose is to make us laugh.
Some of the biggest names in comedy have created their worst comedies on Netflix: Adam Sandler created ridiculous 6, do-over& hubby halloween; created by amy schumer somewhat pregnant; created by jerry seinfeld un frosted. I could go on and on. Big directors too! created by judd apatow bubble and created by Christopher Guest mascot. It’s kind of dark.
Then, there’s one of the most produced comedians on Netflix’s roster: Kevin Hart.
Since 2019, Hart has recorded 5 comedy specials (if you include his Kennedy Center Honors Mark Twain Award), been part of 2 Netflix roasts (including his own), created 2 series, and has now starred in 5 Netflix Original Movies. 72 hours Coming this weekend.
Four of those films were comedies (not included in this one). paternalism Because it’s a drama at best), and they’ve all come out in the last 4 years. Of the 3 that came out before this weekend, they combine for a 62 on Rotten Tomatoes, giving it the lowest score me time With seven out of 100.
And now we have this week’s comedy: 72 hours.
Ten million. Courtesy of Netflix © 2026.
The film is directed by Hart’s longtime collaborator Tim Story, who has worked with him on several projects including both ride along movies and both think like a Man Movies; Written by the two co-creators of cobra kai (Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg) and two writers of the much-maligned Netflix original comedy package which received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 37 in 2018; and features a cast led by Hart and three SNL alumni: Marcelo Hernandez, Ben Marshall, and Kam Patterson.
This R-rated affair centers around a bachelor party weekend in Miami in which Hart’s character Joe, a 40-year-old advertising executive trying to reach a younger target demo for a new vodka campaign he desperately needs to land, is accidentally invited because he’s been added to 4 young 20-somethings group chat. How can this be possible? How would this close-knit group of friends not realize that they’ve added a random stranger and are missing someone they were supposed to invite? Why would they like it when a sugar daddy upgrades their weekend and hangs out with them for no reason? Your guess is as good as mine.
72 hours Hart’s Netflix comedy is a genuine “just get on with it” attempt to buck the trend of poor results from movie output and revive the “destination festival gone horribly wrong” premise that flourished 10-15 years ago with movies like hangover, bridesmaids& girls trip. The film offers very little of the chemistry and laughs that its predecessors did to become iconic in the genre with a weak story foundation.
Kevin Hart — the buff, non-gray, guy who got serious with Teyana Taylor, who is a long way from being promoted to a top position — is supposed to be a senile, out-of-touch loser with Peter Pan syndrome? A guy treats them to luxury, brings free bottles of wine, and takes them on a yacht – the only problem is his age?!
Leaving aside the absurdities of the premise, the film does its best to recreate the madness and magic of hangover-Stunning casting, unique performances and a genre story without the mystery-quest-style structure. The final 30-45 minutes involve a collision of absurd events into actual Mad Libs that just seem too much for a movie to even carry. Bachelorette party culprit? Waking up on a deserted island to be rescued by a whale penis smuggler? A character has been stung by a jellyfish? And, of course, what hangover Would the scam be complete without the drug kingpin kidnapping his friend? Sound familiar?
Ten million. Alan Markfield/Netflix © 2026.
The film does its best comedic work in its more subtle characters and lines rather than in the execution of its more high-profile, grossed-out characterizations. Zach Cherry (Controversy) as Joe’s co-worker declares that he “don’t know what his wife’s breasts look like anymore.” Ben Marshall (Please Don’t Destroy/SNL) as Hunter, the meek, post-breakup friend of the group, dropping this hilarious line at the club: “I personally feel like a pervert talking to women, I’d love to comment on her Instagram until she notices.” Anna Garcia (die heart) Trixie, the unwanted girl at the bachelorette party, announces that she “already has a condom” while trying to hook up with Joe. It’s those little moments that make me appreciate the talented people who are trying their best in a movie that is largely marred by poor writing.
If you’re a Kevin Hart fan, maybe this will work for you as well as his previous Netflix movies did, but don’t expect 72 hours Being a shining example of a major comedy star succeeding in an original film on the streamer. It’s not even the best Netflix comedy of 2026, which wouldn’t be hard to do.
Watch 72 Hours if You Want
- trace of
- hangover
- bridesmaids
- girls trip
- think like a man too
- package
72 hour mvp
Ben Marshall as Hunter
Marshall has most of the film’s best lines and at least one interesting character detail, as the recently abandoned – and at times betrayed – friend in the group. It wouldn’t hurt to call Kevin Hart the “Black Elton John” in a neon, multi-colored cape, either.
not as bad as lo bar me time Kevin Hart set for Netflix movies, but 72 hours Fails to make a hard-to-swallow premise worthwhile and doesn’t even provide enough laughs and character to come close to it hangoverThe kind of films he wanted to make.
