A high-stakes road trip comedy that failed to win over the critics

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 2015, the action comedy Hot Pursuit paired Reese Witherspoon and Sofía Vergara as an unlikely duo on the run. Despite the star power, the film faced harsh critical reception and underwhelming box office returns, ultimately becoming a case study in how mismatched chemistry can derail a genre premise.

Directed by Anne Fletcher, Hot Pursuit follows Rose Cooper, an intense San Antonio police officer, and Daniella Riva, the widow of a cartel lieutenant. The plot centers on their chaotic journey across Texas as they evade corrupt officers and assassins while attempting to reach Dallas. The film, originally titled Don't Mess with Texas, relied on the classic odd-couple dynamic, yet struggled to find a consistent tone that resonated with reviewers.

Critical reaction was overwhelmingly negative. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 8% approval rating, with critics describing it as shrill and unfunny. Metacritic echoed this sentiment with a score of 31 out of 100. While some reviewers, such as Stephanie Zacharek of The Village Voice, praised the film's editing and comedic timing, others like Peter Travers labeled it a hot mess. Audiences polled by CinemaScore were similarly lukewarm, awarding the production a C+ grade.

Financially, the film struggled to justify its $35 million budget. It grossed $51.5 million worldwide, with $34.6 million coming from the United States and Canada. During its opening weekend, it earned $13.9 million, placing second behind the second week of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Despite the poor critical and commercial performance, the lead actresses received four nominations at the Teen Choice Awards, including nods for their chemistry and comedic performances.

The narrative itself is a whirlwind of subplots, ranging from a hidden stash of cocaine to a bag of shoes concealing $4 million in diamonds. The story concludes with Cooper clearing her name and embracing a wilder side, but the film remains better known for its critical reception than its plot twists. It serves as a reminder that even high-profile talent cannot always overcome a script that fails to land with its intended audience.

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