Directed by Shane Black.
Play Dirty was released on October 1, 2025.
Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios / Prime Video.
Movie Review
Play Dirty (2025) is an exciting and fast-moving action movie filled with heists, betrayals, and big explosions.
Mark Wahlberg stars as Parker, a clever thief who lives by his own rules, while Rosa Salazar plays Zen, a fierce and unpredictable partner.
The movie has lots of energy, with fun action scenes and sharp humor that keeps it entertaining.
Some parts of the story feel a bit confusing, and not every twist works perfectly, but the cast helps make it fun to watch.
The action scenes are bold, the characters are wild, and the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously.
If you enjoy crime thrillers with humor, fights, and a touch of chaos, Play Dirty delivers a good time.
It’s not perfect, but it’s stylish, packed with attitude, and definitely entertaining from start to finish.
Ratings
• IMDb: 5.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 45%
• Google Audience Score: 50% liked this movie.
Play Dirty (2025) Actors
Mark Wahlberg as Parker
DOB: June 5, 1971.
Bio: American actor, producer, and former musician who has built one of Hollywood’s most versatile careers.
Beginning as a rapper and model, he transitioned into acting in the 1990s, quickly gaining respect for his intensity and discipline.
Wahlberg is known for his portrayals of working-class heroes, action leads, and morally complex men, often bringing grit and authenticity to his performances.
Role: Wahlberg plays Parker, a professional thief and the story’s central antihero, a calculating criminal who’s betrayed during a racetrack heist and seeks revenge and justice on his own terms.
His Parker is cool, methodical, and driven by an unshakable personal code, continuing the legacy of Donald E. Westlake’s iconic literary character.
What to Expect: A restrained, physical performance grounded in Wahlberg’s trademark intensity.
Interesting facts: Wahlberg stepped into a project originally linked to other actors and worked with director Shane Black to balance old Parker traditions with a modern, streaming audience.
Notable Works: The Fighter, The Departed, Lone Survivor, Ted, The Italian Job, Patriots Day.
LaKeith Stanfield as Grofield
DOB: August 12, 1991.
Bio: American actor, rapper, and producer known for his transformative range and ability to bring psychological depth to unconventional roles.
He first gained recognition in Short Term 12 (2013) and went on to deliver standout performances in both independent and major studio projects.
Role: Grofield, Parker’s loyal associate and occasional moral counterweight, a thief with a background in theater who brings a touch of artistry and wit to the criminal world.
His version of Grofield balances charisma with tension, grounding the partnership in mutual respect and creative friction.
What to Expect: A magnetic, elastic performance that can shift from heartfelt to dangerous in a beat; Stanfield brings nuance and unpredictability.
Interesting facts: Grofield is a recurring figure in the Parker books, and Stanfield’s cast-mate chemistry helps modernize this classic sidekick figure.
Notable Works: Judas and the Black Messiah, Sorry to Bother You, Atlanta, Uncut Gems, Get Out.
Rosa Salazar as Zen
DOB: July 16, 1985.
Bio: American actress known for her expressive performances and commanding screen presence.
She began her career with roles in television before gaining international recognition for her work in high-energy, genre-driven projects.
Role: Zen, a master getaway driver and former mercenary whose loyalties are as unpredictable as her driving.
Zen is both an ally and a threat, deeply entangled in the betrayal that sets the story in motion.
What to Expect: Intense action sequences, cool and physical fight work, and a morally ambiguous performance that keeps viewers guessing.
Interesting facts: Salazar underwent practical stunt and combat training for the role, including tactical driving sequences to ensure realism.
Zen’s backstory also explores the global mercenary network that fuels the film’s broader conspiracy.
Notable Works: Alita: Battle Angel, Undone, Bird Box, The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Brand New Cherry Flavor.
Keegan-Michael Key as Ed Mackey
DOB: March 22, 1971.
Bio: American actor, comedian, and writer best known for his sharp wit, impeccable timing, and chameleon-like versatility.
Rising to fame through the acclaimed sketch series Key & Peele, he has since transitioned seamlessly into film, television, and voice acting.
Role: Ed Mackey, a charming, quick-witted member of Parker’s crew who provides both levity and humanity amid the story’s tension.
Mackey’s humor isn’t just comic relief, it’s a survival mechanism in a world of betrayal and violence.
What to Expect: Strong comedic beats, precise timing and a willingness to play the small emotional moments honestly amid the mayhem.
Interesting facts: Key has long expressed interest in blending comedy with more serious storytelling.
His transition into action-infused crime drama showcases his evolving range and ability to humanize high-stakes narratives.
Notable Works: Key & Peele, Keanu, The Prom, The Predator, Toy Story 4, Wendell & Wild.
Chukwudi Iwuji as Phineas Paul
DOB: October 15, 1975.
Bio: Nigerian-British actor celebrated for his commanding stage presence and nuanced screen performances.
Trained at Yale University and known for his extensive work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Iwuji has earned acclaim for his ability to blend intellectual gravitas with emotional depth.
Role: Phineas Paul, a calculating strategist and veteran operator within the criminal underworld.
He serves as both mentor and moral counterpoint to Parker, providing wisdom and resources while challenging the protagonist’s code of ethics.
What to Expect: Controlled, compelling scenes that communicate influence without shouting; Iwuji adds weight to the ensemble.
Interesting facts: Iwuji frequently plays characters at the center of institutional or moral friction; his filmography shows a consistent pivot between stage rigor and screen subtlety.
Notable Works: The Day of the Jackal, Peacemaker, acclaimed stage work.
Nat Wolff as Kincaid
DOB: December 17, 1994.
Bio: American actor, musician, and songwriter who began his career as a child performer alongside his brother Alex Wolff in Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band.
Transitioning into mature roles, he built a reputation for portraying introspective, often conflicted young men in both independent films and studio features
Role: Kincaid, a young and ambitious criminal within Parker’s network whose impulsive decisions threaten to unravel the crew’s carefully laid plans.
He represents the generational shift inside the underworld, intelligent yet inexperienced, loyal yet easily swayed by greed and fear.
What to Expect: Emotional moments that humanize the crew and stakes that show how crime affects younger players in the syndicate.
Interesting facts: Wolff is also a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter; his band with his brother, Nat & Alex Wolff, released several albums before he transitioned full-time into acting.
Notable Works: Paper Towns, The Fault in Our Stars, Palo Alto, Death Note, The Stand.
Gretchen Mol as Grace Webb
DOB: November 8, 1972.
Bio: American actress and former model celebrated for her nuanced portrayals in both film and television.
Over her career, she has developed a reputation for bringing quiet strength and emotional intelligence to complex female characters.
Role: Grace Webb, the grieving widow whose story provides the emotional counterweight to the film’s criminal underworld.
Her character embodies loss, resilience, and the human fallout of Parker’s morally gray world.
What to Expect: Quiet, affecting scenes that contrast with the movie’s bigger action beats; Mol gives the film a moral anchor.
Interesting facts: Mol often chooses parts that let her explore damaged but resilient characters; here she keeps the film grounded.
Notable Works: The Notorious Bettie Page, Boardwalk Empire, Manchester by the Sea, 3:10 to Yuma.
Thomas Jane as Philly Webb
DOB: February 22, 1969.
Bio: American actor, producer, and filmmaker best known for his portrayals of rugged, morally complex men in both film and television.
With a career spanning over three decades, Jane has built a reputation for bringing emotional depth to action-driven stories, blending toughness with vulnerability.
Role: Philly Webb, a key associate in Parker’s early operation whose betrayal and tragic fate set the film’s revenge narrative in motion.
Philly’s loyalty, flaws, and ultimate downfall give the story its emotional spark, he is both friend and cautionary figure, showing the personal costs of life in crime.
What to Expect: A rugged, sympathetic portrayal that becomes the emotional inciting incident for the lead.
Interesting facts: Jane brings a weary realism to the role and has worked in action and noir adjacent material for years.
Notable Works: The Punisher (2004), Boogie Nights, Hung (HBO).
Tony Shalhoub as Lozini
DOB: October 9, 1953.
Bio: American actor with an extensive career spanning television, film, and stage.
Known for his masterful blend of intelligence, humor, and subtle intensity, Shalhoub has earned multiple Emmy and Tony Awards.
Role: Lozini, a high-ranking crime boss whose influence looms large over Parker’s world.
Polished yet dangerous, Lozini operates with quiet sophistication, a man who smiles while orchestrating violence.
What to Expect: A scene-stealing turn that mixes urbane menace and sly humor.
Interesting facts: Shalhoub’s casting reflects the film’s intent to elevate traditional crime archetypes with actors capable of depth and tonal agility.
Notable Works: Monk, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Big Night, Men in Black.
Hemky Madera as Colonel Ortiz
DOB: January 26, 1977.
Bio: Dominican-American actor known for his powerful screen presence and ability to embody complex, streetwise characters.
With a career spanning both Hollywood and Latin American productions, Madera has built a reputation for intensity and authenticity, particularly in crime and action dramas.
Role: Colonel Ortiz, a figure tied to the film’s international underworld.
Ortiz operates within the shadowy nexus of military power and organized crime, connecting Parker’s heist narrative to broader geopolitical intrigue.
What to Expect: A physically present, authoritative portrayal with scenes that expand the film’s scope.
Interesting facts: Madera has appeared in mainstream US fare and Latin American productions, giving him cross market credibility.
Notable Works: Queen of the South, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Brockmire.
Alejandro Edda as De La Paz
DOB: May 17, 1984.
Bio: Mexican actor known for his commanding screen presence and nuanced portrayals of morally complex figures.
Having built his career across both English and Spanish language productions, Edda has become a go-to performer for roles that blend charm, danger, and layered humanity.
Role: De La Paz, a corrupt political figure whose connections to the film’s central treasure and smuggling operation extend the story into the realm of global corruption.
What to Expect: A performance that blends public charm with private ruthlessness, pushing the plot into international intrigue.
Interesting facts: Edda has played memorable supporting roles in several genre hits and brings a practiced screen intensity to antagonistic parts.
Notable Works: Narcos: Mexico, American Made, Fear the Walking Dead, The Forever Purge.
Claire Lovering as Brenda Mackey
DOB: January 7, 1994.
Bio: Australian actress known for her lively screen presence and strong background in theatre and comedy.
A graduate of NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art), she built her career through acclaimed stage performances and notable television work in Australia before transitioning to international projects.
Role: Brenda Mackey is a key supporting character whose personal choices complicate the robbery’s aftermath and whose interactions bring levity and grit to the crew dynamic.
What to Expect: Bright comedic moments, fearless physical work in disguise and a standout supporting turn that plays against the movie’s heavier beats.
Interesting facts: Lovering has talked about improvising on set and enjoying the chance to work with an ensemble cast under Shane Black’s direction.
Notable Works: The Reckoning, Harrow, Wellmania, The Letdown, extensive Australian stage credits.
More Actors
• Yvonne Zima as Traci
• Saskia Archer as Bank Supervisor’s Girlfriend
• Nick Russell as Bank Supervisor
• Byron Coll as Joe
• Kat Hoyos as Natalie
• Peta Wilson as Madge
FAQ – Play Dirty (2025) Movie
Where can I watch Play Dirty?
It is available to stream on Prime Video via Amazon MGM Studios distribution.
Is Play Dirty based on a book or original?
It is adapted from the Parker novels by Donald E. Westlake written under the Richard Stark pen name.
Where was Play Dirty filmed?
Filming was carried out in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, including surrounding suburbs like Ku-ring-gai and the Hills District.
How long is the movie on Prime Video and does it have extras?
The feature runs around 128 minutes on Prime Video.
Extras and bonus content depend on the platform release and region. Check the Prime Video listing for extras.
Was there a notable cameo or surprise in the film?
Yes. The movie includes a high-profile cameo by Mark Cuban in a brief but talked about scene.
Conclusion
Play Dirty (2025) is a stylish and entertaining crime thriller that focuses more on fun than realism.
Mark Wahlberg leads a strong cast in a story full of clever schemes, bold heists, and unpredictable twists.
While the plot can get messy at times, the energy, humor, and thrilling action keep it engaging.
Director Shane Black brings his trademark mix of wit and chaos, giving the film a playful yet dangerous tone.
It’s not a movie that tries to be deep, but it’s a solid choice for fans of slick action and sharp dialogue.
If you love smart-talking criminals, unexpected betrayals, and fast-paced storytelling, Play Dirty is worth watching.