Zac Efron’s Ricky Stanicky lands disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score after first reviews

Zac Efron's new movie Ricky Stanicky has landed a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score following its first reviews.

The new Prime Video comedy, which is out now, follows three lifelong friends (played by Efron, Jermaine Fowler and Andrew Santino) who have long used an imaginary friend called Ricky Stanicky as an excuse to go wild.

However, when their partners start to get suspicious, the trio are forced to hire an actor (John Cena) to play Ricky.

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So far, the Peter Farrelly movie has landed a 50% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics arguing that while Cena puts in a standout performance, the movie itself is lacking in laughs.

Here's what the reviews have been saying:

Variety

"An unapologetically lowbrow buddy movie, featuring the funniest performance yet from up-for-anything wrestler John Cena in the title role."

IndieWire

"Ricky Stanicky might have more dead air than a windowless nursing home, but Cena approaches every take as if he can simply will some fresh oxygen into the world’s mustiest film — as if his flawless comic timing might be able to save a movie whose jokes are all 30 years too late."

IGN

"It’s focused on too many un-engaging characters with a lot of would-be comedic banter that falls flat, while the attempts to blend drama with humor feel out of place. The one bright spot is Ricky Stanicky himself, both the character and the fearless performance from John Cena. Cena is a comedic bright spot providing genuinely big laughs, but even that isn’t enough to sustain Ricky Stanicky through its belabored third act."

The Guardian

"There are a few laughs but, at nearly two hours, Ricky Stanicky far outstays its welcome."

TheWrap

“Ricky Stanicky has everything you could possibly want from a comedy except for funny jokes."

Mashable

"A painfully unfunny barrage of bits scraped from the underside of the bro comedy barrel. Poop, circumcisions, ill-timed K-holes, masturbation — all lowbrow joke elements that could be funny given the proper context and set-up, yet all of which crash and burn in this lifeless nightmare. The only saving grace is a deeply committed John Cena, but not even he can wring consistent enjoyment from this lackluster material."

Ricky Stanicky is available to watch now on Prime Video.

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