‘72 HOURS’ (2026) Netflix Movie Review - A Comedy Film Without Much Comedy

Finally, Kevin Hart is back, but maybe not in the way you have always seen him. This time around, he plays the role of Joe, a 40-year-old New York advertising executive who once knew how to understand the younger audience. Now, sadly, with age, that ability has started to fade away. This is what he comes to know as the first thing about him in the film when he is denied his promotion for this very reason. But Joe will not swallow the hard pill that easily, given that he doesn’t consider himself “old enough” to marry since he is still a “kid”.  One thing leads to another, and he finds himself added to a group chat which belongs to some twenty-something-year-olds who are planning their friend’s bachelor party in Miami. Desperate to prove himself and sort of get a break from all that is happening, he decides to crash the celebration with the hope that the experience will help him reconnect with Gen Z. This is when you will witness some great comedy of errors taking place in between all the generational misunderstandings, awkward connections, and cultural clashes.

But even with all “The Hangover” movie vibes, 72 Hours fails to create the impression you would expect a Kevin Hart-led film to have on you. The plot, in no time, slips into the typical “bachelor-party-gone-wrong” zone, with scenes of excessive drinking, mistaken identities, dangerous criminals, and some commonly assumed mishaps. In many ways, one cannot help but recall “The Hangover” series because this plot follows similar tactics.

If there is any acting in 72 Hours, it solely happens because of Kevin Hart. He portrays Joe pretty well as a confused forty-something man who is undergoing a midlife crisis. Hart remains energetic throughout his role. However, when compared to his previous roles, Joe might not be the best one. This is also because his character isn’t that well written. Joe isn’t someone whom you will like as soon as he appears on screen. His character has a shade of selfishness and insecurity in himself. That, though, is understandable, but soon starts to feel annoying. Yes, I am not asking for a picture-perfect character. However, Joe feels too much while watching 72 Hours. And that is sad because he is the leading role.

But not all is flawed in the movie. For example, the younger cast, consisting of Marcello Hernandez, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Mason Gooding, adds the comedic angle that is impossible for Joe to carry all by himself. Their entries add the real fun elements that make the plot somewhat bearable. And this is the exact time you can laugh. Again, there is wasted potential in the cast of Teyana Taylor, Joe’s long-time girlfriend. I was hoping to see some more angles into her character, which in turn would make Joe’s arc engaging. Yet again, this too doesn’t really happen. I am still not sure why the makers put her in if they had no intention of doing something substantial to her role.

The pacing of 72 Hours is pretty fast. Like a lot of the plot unfolds in front of us in the first few minutes. If you try to skip anything, that connection will be lost. And there won't be any need to skip any part because you will not get bored because of the speed. Yes, the plot can be the reason behind your boredom, which has already been discussed above. 
So all in all, this plot is nothing but a copy of many plots created before. If you are up for Kevin Hart, then go ahead and watch; maybe reconsider your plans.

Final Score - [4/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times