As genres, neither action nor comedies are easy to recommend to every type of viewer. Pair them together and it becomes even more niche, but Prime Video’s Ride or Die nails all the requirements for praise and delivers something incredible. On paper, it’s your quintessential spy drama with a hidden identity and a deadly mission that drags in someone important outside of the field. But at its core, it’s a love letter to female friendships, and that’s always the biggest win in our book.
Starring Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer, everything about the series is amplified because of the women. Their performances make the story riveting, and even more so, they ensure that the on-screen friendship feels real and memorable.
And here’s the thing: I love a spy drama, so I’ll typically tune in no matter what. But Prime Video’s Ride or Die is so much more than an action-packed thriller, and that’s why you keep going. You remain invested because right off the bat, the two women showcase that they’re both worth following to the ends of the earth. Here, Waddingham’s Judith is the spy, and Spencer’s Debbie is the politician’s wife who gets tangled up in a dark web of secrets and lies. And while shows like this generally make it hard to trust characters, heroes included, Ride or Die does the opposite.
What could’ve been a story about unnecessary betrayals and women tearing each other down is instead a beautiful love letter to found families. It’s a remarkable showcase of what loyalty looks like and why it’s so deeply important for women to look out for each other. In a refreshing manner, Debbie also isn’t a damsel in distress despite the fact that she isn’t trained for this field.
There’s a lot to appreciate about the quality of action and how fast-paced the show is, but ultimately, it’s Waddingham and Spencer that make it a must-watch. You’ll laugh with them, cheer with them, and cry with them throughout the eight episodes. It’d be great to get a second season, but even if that doesn’t happen, the series brings its title to life gorgeously with two women who’ve earned it.
Prime Video is on a roll currently with shows that effectively deliver what we’ve been missing on TV. Off Campus gives us a classic ensemble, Sterling Point delivers a comforting sisterhood, and Ride or Die gives us the kind of female friendship that deserves to be on every best-of list. And from the first episode to the last, the performances will leave you in awe. Those of us who are fans of both actresses know exactly what they’re capable of, but it’s still so rewarding to see the full range of emotions they bring to the table.
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Action adventures don’t get nearly enough attention when they aren’t male-dominated, but there’s a reason Ride or Die is still on the streamer’s top 10. It’s that good, and it’s worth your time in a sea of way too many shows to catch up on. If for no other reason, then at least to be reminded of how iconic these women are and how lucky we are to watch them in various properties.
Ride or Die Season 1 is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Prime Video