On August 20th, there will be a brand new R-rated film on Hulu/Disney+. I was invited by ScreenRant to an early screening of a new original film, Eenie Meanie. It’s a colorful and violent action comedy starring Samara Weaving. Will this crime-fueled film race its way into your heart?

The Plot

Edie, aka Eenie Meanie (Samara Weaving), is a young woman with a silly nickname and a habit of making poor decisions. She is suddenly pulled back into a life of crime when she is forced to save her impulsive ex-boyfriend (Karl Glusman) from a dangerous, but surprisingly wholesome crime lord (Andy Garcia). As she returns to her role as a getaway driver, she must confront old rivals, face painful old connections, and drive really, really fast. 

The Director

Eenie Meanie is the directorial debut for Shawn Simmons and his first writer credit on a feature film. In the post screening Q&A, he recalled the moment producer Paul Wernick (writer of the Deadpool trilogy) suggested he direct, saying “I worked on [the TV show] Wayne and by the end of the process a lot of people were going, like, “you’re gonna direct, right?”… I started to think about it but didn’t take it very seriously. And then Paul Wernick very quickly made me take it very seriously”. Clearly, they saw something, because it is rare for a first-time director to deliver something as lightning-paced and clear as Eenie Meanie. I can’t wait to see what Shawn does the next time he’s in the driver’s seat.

The Heart

While Eenie Meanie begins as a fun low-level crime comedy, it evolves into something much more. Amid all the action, the film isn’t afraid to pump the brakes occasionally and show us why these characters are so attached to each other. Samara Weaving provides the emotional fuel, as her character Edie is forced to come face-to-face with her traumatic past. Her ex, John, pushes the story forward with every irrational and impulsive choice he makes, but actor Karl Glusman is able to bring empathy, even while you roll your eyes. The script itself takes some crazy left turns that build to a moment that will almost definitely leave you a bit misty-eyed.

Who should watch this?

Eanie Meanie is a fast and very funny film, with great action, awesome cars, and a lot of heart. I was reminded of classic crime comedies like Snatch, Out of Sight, and even 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven (with a little less Jazz and a lot more grunge rock). If you like these movies, you will probably enjoy spending 90 minutes with this film. 

Eanie Meanie releases on August 22, 2025, exclusively on Hulu or Disney+, depending on your region.