the bad guys movie review rotten tomatoes

The Bad Guys

The laughs are easy and breezy at the beginning of “The Bad Guys,” and the animated comedy’s sun-baked vibe radiates Southern California cool.

A wolf named Wolf and a snake named Snake enjoy snappy banter at a retro L.A. diner, having the kind of conversation they’ve probably had countless times over their years of friendship. They push and pull, jostle and tug, all in good-natured fashion. Then they get up, stroll casually across the street, and rob a bank. Pierre Perifel , making his feature directing debut, lays all of this out in one long, single take, instantly drawing us in to these characters and this world. It’s an extremely familiar set-up, a subgenre unto itself: hyper-verbal thieves charm us into coming along for the ride and rooting for them to pull off their biggest heist yet. This is a furry, scaly version of Quentin Tarantino or Elmore Leonard —or at least, that’s what it aspires to be. But it’s a clever change to see such a story told in animated form with a star-studded voice cast including Sam Rockwell , Marc Maron , Zazie Beetz , and Awkwafina.

This opening scene of “The Bad Guys” is its strongest, and it offers great promise. But the wise-cracking, fast-talking energy that was once so buoyant grows increasingly strained as the story evolves and reaches its frenzied conclusion.

Based on the kids’ graphic novel series by Aaron Blabey , “The Bad Guys” follows a group of fun-loving criminals who lean into their rap as the villains of the animal kingdom for thrills and profit. Wolf (voiced by a smooth Rockwell) is their charismatic leader, with unmistakable shades of Danny Ocean. (In case the similarities weren’t obvious, he repeatedly gets compared to George Clooney .) Snake (a gravelly, earthy Marc Maron) is the cranky but loyal safecracker. Shark ( Craig Robinson ) is the enthusiastic master of disguise, but the amusing running bit is that it’s always totally obvious he’s a shark. Tarantula (Awkwafina) is the speedy and resourceful hacker, an assignment where it would indeed be useful to have eight arms. And the main skill the quick-tempered Piranha ( Anthony Ramos ) seems to bring is toxic flatulence, which at first seems like a gratuitous gag to make kids in the audience giggle, but it ends up being a surprisingly cohesive through-line in the script from Etan Cohen (“ Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa ”). (It’s still gross, though.)

After they get caught trying to steal a valuable statue from a swanky gala, the notorious Bad Guys agree to clean up their act with the help of the celebrated, philanthropic guinea pig Professor Marmalade (a perky Richard Ayoade ) in order to avoid jail time. The tiny, prissy rodent lives in a gargantuan, cliffside mansion made for a Bond villain, our first clue that perhaps not everything is as simple as it seems. The team gets some cover from the governor, Diane Foxington (Beetz), who wants to see them go straight; she also happens to share a playful flirtation with Wolf. But Wolf’s scheme is for the Bad Guys to pretend they’ve become good guys in order to trick everyone and remain … bad. Sound good?

The animation is colorful and lively—almost incessant, really—and the physical comedy is at its most inspired when it subtly toys with the natural instincts of these anthropomorphized creatures: the way Snake sheds his skin mid-heist, for example, or how Tarantula walks across a fingerprinting pad when the gang gets booked into jail. For a big chunk of the film, we literally have a wolf in sheep’s clothing, as the group’s leader is forced to dress in a cuddly lamb onesie as part of his rehabilitation. It’s good for a chuckle, at first.

But the midsection feels saggy and the early zip and swagger wear thin. Still, there are some useful notions here about second chances and redemption, as well as upending people’s perceptions to emerge as the best possible version of yourself. Sounds facile, but the script handles these themes with some intelligence. At the very least, “The Bad Guys” encourages kids not to judge a book by its cover—and maybe even read an actual book about these characters afterward.

Now playing in theaters.

Christy Lemire

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who has written for RogerEbert.com since 2013. Before that, she was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series “Ebert Presents At the Movies” opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

• Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf (voice)
• Marc Maron as Mr. Snake (voice)
• Craig Robinson as Mr. Shark (voice)
• Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha (voice)
• Awkwafina as Ms. Tarantula (voice)
• Richard Ayoade as Professor Marmalade (voice)
• Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington (voice)
• Lilly Singh as Tiffany Fluffit (voice)
• Alex Borstein as Police Chief Misty Luggins (voice)
• Walt Dohrn as Scientist / Gala Guest 3 (voice)

Writer (based on the books by)

• Aaron Blabey
• Daniel Pemberton
• Hilary Winston
• John Venzon
• Pierre Perifel
• Yoni Brenner

Leave a comment

Now playing.

We Live in Time

Look Into My Eyes

The Front Room

Matt and Mara

The Thicket

The Mother of All Lies

The Paragon

My First Film

Don’t Turn Out the Lights

I’ll Be Right There

The Greatest of All Time

Latest articles.

TIFF 2024: Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, Sharp Corner, The Quiet Ones

TIFF 2024: Dahomey, Bird, Oh Canada

TIFF 2024: The Cut, The Luckiest Man in America, Nutcrackers

The Telluride Tea: My Diary of the 2024 Telluride Film Festival

The best movie reviews, in your inbox.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

The Bad Guys

To avoid prison, a gang of notorious animal criminals pretends to seek being rehabilitated, only for their leader to realize that he genuinely wants to change his ways. To avoid prison, a gang of notorious animal criminals pretends to seek being rehabilitated, only for their leader to realize that he genuinely wants to change his ways. To avoid prison, a gang of notorious animal criminals pretends to seek being rehabilitated, only for their leader to realize that he genuinely wants to change his ways.

• Pierre Perifel
• Aaron Blabey
• Sam Rockwell
• 349 User reviews
• 139 Critic reviews
• 64 Metascore
• 2 wins & 30 nominations

Top cast 17

• Professor Marmalade

• Diane Foxington aka The Crimson Paw

• Police Chief Misty Luggins

• Tiffany Fluffit

• Museum Announcer

• Delivery Driver
• Prison Guard 1

• Prison Guard 2

• Museum Guest 2
• Prison Guard 3
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia The beginning of this film mirrors the beginning of Pulp Fiction (1994) where two characters are sitting opposite one another in a diner having what seems to be a rather idle conversation, before revealing that both characters are actually on the verge of launching into a robbery.
• Goofs Diane Foxington wears a piercing in her left eyebrow. Later in the movie she talks about her past, when she tried to steal the dolphin statue; when she was holding it, her body was mirrored in the security glass. In the close shot of her mirrored face, the piercing is on the right eyebrow instead of the left one.

Mr. Wolf : Do I wish people didn't see us as monsters? Sure, I do. But these are the cards we've been dealt, so we might as well play 'em.

• Crazy credits The DreamWorks logo has Mr Wolf climb to the moon with his grapple gun and take the fisher boy's place.
• Connections Featured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Magical Trailer Reactions (2019)
• Soundtracks Fire Written by Eric Burton , Adrian Quesada Performed by Black Pumas Courtesy of ATO Records

User reviews 349

• Mar 20, 2022
• How long is The Bad Guys? Powered by Alexa
• April 22, 2022 (United States)
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Los tipos malos
• DreamWorks Animation
• Universal Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $70,000,000 (estimated)
• $97,459,240
• $23,950,245
• Apr 24, 2022
• $250,387,888

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 40 minutes
• Dolby Atmos

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

‘The Bad Guys’ Review: Criminals Go Straight — In a Roundabout Way — in a Fun, Frenetic Kids’ Caper

Jazzily designed and scored, Pierre Perifel's cartoon romp may be a trifle, but it's still DreamWorks Animation's most appealing offering in several years.

By Guy Lodge

Film Critic

• ‘Love’ Review: Thoughtful, Grownup Norwegian Romantic Drama Accounts for Different Emotional Needs 15 hours ago
• ‘Stranger Eyes’ Review: Yeo Siew Hua’s Elegant, Haunted Thriller About Voyeurism in a Time of Surveillance 2 days ago
• ‘April’ Review: The Cruelest Month Lives Up to Its Reputation in a Radical, Shattering Exploration of Women’s Lives, Rights and Bodies in Peril 2 days ago

It’s a problem that has plagued countless kids’ movies — and more than a few grownup ones — over the course of film history: The villain is conceived and performed with such lip-smacking relish that the nominal hero seems a simpering drag to be around by comparison. Conscious of that perennial imbalance, “ The Bad Guys ” takes a simple solution and multiplies it, making a sympathetic protagonist of not just one supposedly dastardly antagonist, but several. Taking five anthropomorphised animals generally portrayed as violent terrors in the cartoon world — led by a big bad wolf, no less — and centering them as a chummy, lovable criminal collective, this bouncy debut feature from French animator Pierre Perifel gets a lot of value out of that neat high concept. As it steers them to the right side of the law, however, it still can’t convince us that good guys have more fun.

Related Stories

Can Today’s Tech Touchstones Solve Hollywood’s Loneliness Epidemic?

'Unstoppable' Review: Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez in the Rare Sports Crowd-Pleaser You Can Believe In

If there’s a downside to this strategy, it’s that an ensemble of villains, while fun to hang out with, isn’t all that easy to care about — cheery and diverting as “The Bad Guys” is, it has all the emotional weight of a few crisp, stolen Benjamins. But if it’s no classic in the making, Perifel’s jaunty escapade is still the most likable new offering in some time from the DreamWorks Animation stable, sure to strike gold with families who have exhausted the repeat viewing possibilities of “Sing 2” when it opens Stateside on April 22. (It’s already rolling out internationally.) Franchise potential, meanwhile, is obvious: The film is adapted from a graphic novel series, by Australian author Aaron Blabey, that has already run to 15 issues.

Popular on Variety

Though Blabey’s witty, sketchy illustration style has been given a sleeker makeover in its digitally animated transfer to the big screen, “The Bad Guys” nonetheless benefits from a spikier, more overtly cartoonish aesthetic than many of its more smoothly contoured DreamWorks brethren. Lively character design does as much work as the writing in warming us to a core crew of critters who — dashing silver-pelted ringleader Mr. Wolf aside — get somewhat short shrift in a busy, breakneck screenplay by Etan Cohen (returning to animation 14 years after “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”).

The key players are mostly introduced over the course of a frantic introductory car chase, as Wolf (slickly voiced by Sam Rockwell , though repeatedly likened to George Clooney) and his accomplices make a clean getaway from a successful Los Angeles bank heist. Together with cranky safe-cracker Snake (Marc Maron), snarky tech whiz Tarantula (Awkwafina), goofy, disguise-inclined Shark (Craig Robinson) and hot-headed Piranha (Anthony Ramos), Wolf has pulled off enough such robberies to make him the number-one target of canny fox governor Diane (Zazie Beetz) and eternally foiled human police chief Luggins (Alex Borstein).

The thieves’ luck finally runs out, however, during a plot to steal a prize trinket at a swanky charity gala. Caught red-handed, they face jail time until wealthy guinea-pig philanthropist Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade) proposes a more experimental course of reform: Under his tutelage, the bad guys must learn to use their sly skills for good. And that’s merely the opening gambit of a happily chaotic, highly involved narrative that proceeds to race through assorted twists both predictable — to anyone familiar with the general implications of posh English accents in children’s adventures, at least — and pleasingly left-field.

Very small fry might not follow each and every one of the story’s various turns and reversals, though it hardly matters. On a scene-to-scene basis, there’s so much going on — further car chases, adorable kitten rescue missions, a zombie apocalypse of fluorescent-eyed Guinea Pigs of the Damned — that it’s easy enough to enjoy the small picture, separate from the big one. Cohen’s writing isn’t quite as nifty or quippy as it could be (“Let’s make like a wolf and get the pack out of here,” a character says, in a limp attempt to engage accompanying adult viewers), but the sight gags are sharper, while a running gag on the debilitating effects of piranha flatulence (who knew?) should slay every time with the little ones.

For anyone attentive to such details, meanwhile, the chief incidental pleasures of “The Bad Guys” are craft-based, from its disciplined, suitably Californian palette of burnt oranges and canine tans, to the brassy exuberance of Daniel Pemberton’s working-overtime score, full of sonic callbacks to ’70s heist-movie funk. There’s even a killer original musical number, performed with full-throated swagger by “In the Heights” star Ramos, in which the bad guys pledge, at least for the moment, that they’re “gonna be good tonight.” For the sake of any future outings with these morally flexible furballs, one hopes such promises are merely temporary.

Reviewed at Hackney Picturehouse, London, March 27, 2022. Running time: 100 MIN.

• Production: (Animated) A Universal Pictures presentation of a DreamWorks Animation production. Producers: Rebecca Huntley, Damon Ross. Executive producers: Aaron Blabey, Etan Cohen, Patrick Hughes.
• Crew: Director: Pierre Perifel. Screenplay: Etan Cohen, based on the graphic novel series by Aaron Blabey. Editor: John Venzon. Music: Daniel Pemberton.
• With: Sam Rockwell, Zazie Beetz, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade, Alex Borstein, Lilly Singh.

More from Variety

‘Rust’ Judge Denies Prosecutor’s Move to Reopen Alec Baldwin Case on Procedural Grounds

Dissatisfied With Its Rate of Erosion, DVD Biz Fast-Forwards 2024 Decline

How To Watch the Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Game in Brazil Live Online

The Best Gifts for Kids: Bluey Target Exclusives, Board Games and Books

Why Studios Still Haven’t Licensed Movies and TV Shows to Train AI

Jimi Hendrix Documentary in the Works From ‘Greatest Night in Pop’ Director

More from our brands, usher brings taraji p. henson, victoria monet to strip club at brooklyn show.

Can I Send This Wine Back? Yes, Here’s How.

Ravens, Chiefs Draw 23-Year Ratings High in Blockbuster NFL Opener

The Best Loofahs and Body Scrubbers, According to Dermatologists

Disney+’s Vision Series Adds Star Trek Vet Todd Stashwick to Cast

• B&H Film Distribution

Summary Never have there been five friends as infamous as The Bad Guys—dashing pickpocket Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), seen-it-all safecracker Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), chill master-of-disguise Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), short-fused “muscle” Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos) and sharp-tongued expert hacker Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina), aka “Webs.” But when, a ... Read More

Directed By : Pierre Perifel

Written By : Aaron Blabey, Etan Cohen

The Bad Guys

Where to watch.

Sam Rockwell

Craig robinson, anthony ramos, richard ayoade, professor marmalade, zazie beetz, diane foxington aka the crimson paw, alex borstein, police chief misty luggins, lilly singh, tiffany fluffit, barbara goodson, dina morrone, museum announcer, diane's a.i. assistant, michael godere, delivery driver, museum guest 1, kelly cooney, prison guard 1, gala guest 1, scientist, gala guest 3, david p. smith, prison guard 2, gala guest 2, protestor, john venzon, museum guest 2, panicked cop, jesse averna, prison guard 3, critic reviews.

• All Reviews
• Positive Reviews
• Mixed Reviews
• Negative Reviews

User Reviews

Related movies, spirited away, ratatouille, snow white and the seven dwarfs, beauty and the beast, grave of the fireflies (1988), sita sings the blues, toy story 3, the triplets of belleville, the boy and the heron, waltz with bashir, only yesterday (1991), it's such a beautiful day, finding nemo, related news.

September 2024 Movie Preview

Keith kimbell.

Get details on this month's most notable new films including a long-awaited Beetlejuice sequel, Francis Ford Coppola's controversial passion project, and much more.

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason dietz.

Find a schedule of release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated daily.

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.

Every Alien Movie, Ranked

We rank every film in the Alien franchise, from the 1979 original to the new Alien: Romulus, from worst to best by Metascore.

Every Movie Based on a Videogame, Ranked

We rank every live-action film adapted from a video game—dating from 1993's Super Mario Bros. to this month's new Borderlands—from worst to best according to their Metascores.

Advertisement

Supported by

‘The Bad Guys’ Review: Smirking All the Way to the Bank

In a heist film-inspired DreamWorks comedy, the Big Bad Wolf goes good, begrudgingly.

• Share full article

By Calum Marsh

There’s an old joke among animation lovers that the difference between Pixar and DreamWorks is a matter of conceptual vision: While Pixar movies tend to be wildly original feats of creativity and imagination, DreamWorks movies are usually about anthropomorphic animals doing fairly standard human stuff while smirking. There’s even a popular term for the wry, self-satisfied expression their characters invariably wear: DreamWorks Face .

This punchline has been circulating for years, and while it isn’t entirely fair to DreamWorks (which has made some interesting movies), it’s hard not to think of it when confronted with “The Bad Guys” (which is not one of them). This inane, juvenile animated comedy, directed by Pierre Perifel, is about a thieving clan of talking animals forced to reform after an elaborate heist goes wrong. They steal, they banter, they have car chases, as animals do not. There’s barely a frame in which they don’t smirk.

Of course, the animals are voiced by celebrities, including Marc Maron, Richard Ayoade and Awkwafina. Sam Rockwell voices the leader of the pack, Mr. Wolf, as a thinly veiled parody of George Clooney in the “Ocean’s Eleven” movies. The parody is so thinly veiled, in fact, that another character refers to him as going “full Clooney” when he lays on the charm.

The fast-paced, action-oriented heist sequences, however, have more in common with the later “Fast and Furious” films than with classic heist pictures like “Ocean’s,” and there are several overly long, gravity-defying car chases throughout, as if to drive the comparison home. As for comedy, “The Bad Guys” offers dregs: fart jokes, underwear gags, bad animal-related puns. It’s rote material, symptomatic of the underlying problem — a lack of imagination.

The Bad Guys Rated PG for mild cartoon violence. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes. In theaters.

The Bad Guys Delivers a Deceptively Layered Story With Beautiful Animation

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Harry Potter's Failed Franchise Deserves Its Redemption

Wolf man: blumhouse's universal monsters reboot gets first trailer & synopsis, 10 funniest quotes from deadpool & wolverine, ranked.

Dreamworks Animation's The Bad Guys initially presents itself primarily as a slick and silly riff on heist films, mining the genre while showcasing some very impressive animation. The film's secret weapon -- a surprisingly soulful script that delves into friendship in a blunt but loving way -- is elevated by a game cast . The Bad Guys is a blast and deserves attention.

The titular Bad Guys are a group of best friends and criminal conspirators living in a clear pastiche of Los Angeles. The group is all fearsome animals in their own right, who've embraced the fear the rest of the world seems to have for them. Led by the smooth Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), the group includes the selfish safe-cracker Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), the tech expert Ms. Spider ( Awkwafina ), the master of disguise Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), and the wildcard muscle Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos). After they're baited into attempting an impossible crime and get themselves caught by the Chief of Police (Alex Borstein), a desperate Wolf earns them one last chance by playing on the sympathies of the wealthy Prof. Rupert Marmalade IV (Richard Ayoade). Wolf convinces him and Mayor Diane Foxington ( Zazie Beetz ) to let them prove they can become good if given the chance.

RELATED: Al Pacino's Shrek IPhone Case Causes Waves On Social Media

The overarching plot builds from there, with multiple red herrings, double-crosses, and secret histories. Luckily, the story remains focused on the five criminals -- specifically Wolf and Snake, who form something of an emotional linchpin for the film. Depicted as longtime best friends who are coming to terms with some changing elements of their life, Sam Rockwell and Marc Maron give the pair a sense of history that leaves them genuinely uneasy with the changes happening right in front of them. Screenwriter Etan Cohen, who's had something of a mixed bag in terms of screenplays over the years, crafts genuine laughs out of the goofy premise, but strikes gold with the cast's interplay and emotional rapport. Snake and Wolf especially get some great material, and the rest of the cast proves just as game, mining real pathos out of their characters.

The film's visuals can't be understated, either. The movie is gorgeous . Director Pierre Perifel, an animation veteran who made his feature directorial debut with the film, and his team deliver a great deal of sleek movement and distinct character acting. There's a fluidity to the motion that at times is reminiscent of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , which is a true compliment for a film that mimics the CGI/Hand-Drawn fusion style that defined that movie. The opening car chase with the police that introduces the tender, over-the-top Chief of Police and a revelation regarding a former criminal known as the Crimson Paw showcase this. Especially when the film can embrace a quick slew of action, it juggles a confident sense of style with solid comedy.

RELATED: Liam Neeson Shares A Touching Star Wars Moment Between His Son And R2-D2

The action in The Bad Guys is quick, tight, and, more than anything, entertaining. The movie isn't necessarily perfect, leaning into some cheap gags on occasion and glossing over some of the narrative beats for characters like Marmalade, who could have benefited from the same surprising depth afforded to the rest of the cast. However, at a relatively lean 100-hundred minutes, The Bad Guys uses its time wisely and carves out a surprisingly mature exploration of friendship, redemption, and purpose. Any additional bloat might hamper the film's largely strong sense of pacing, so it proves to be a worthwhile sacrifice for the film's overall effectiveness.

The Bad Guys works wonderfully well and is one of the most consistently enjoyable films yet released this year. Other additions to the medium like Belle and Turning Red show that 2022 is quickly proving to be a banner year for feature-length animation, and The Bad Guys keeps that trend going.

The Bad Guys comes to theaters April 22.

• Movie Reviews
• CBR Exclusives

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

How to Help Kids Build Character Strengths with Quality Media

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

The bad guys.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 38 Reviews
• Kids Say 50 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Book-based animated heist is so fun, it's criminal.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Bad Guys is a fun animated comedy heist based on a popular graphic novel series. Delivering a memorable message about the harmful impact of stereotypes, it follows a wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell), shark (Craig Robinson), piranha (Anthony Ramos), snake (Marc Maron), and tarantula …

Why Age 6+?

Cartoon violence with no permanent outcome includes characters being hit by a ca

Vulgar language includes "butt," "fart," and "what the hell."

Two characters seem to have a low-level attraction that involves dancing and the

Main characters are thieves who steal jewelry and gold objects, even though they

Champagne and martini glasses are seen at parties; one character accepts what ap

Any Positive Content?

Doing good makes you feel good, and you may receive positive attention for posit

While main characters are all animals, they're voiced by a diverse cast, and vie

Most of the primary characters are "bad guys" of some sort, but by the end they'

Learning to share is a subplot.

Violence & Scariness

Cartoon violence with no permanent outcome includes characters being hit by a car, eating other animals, tussling, performing martial arts in self-defense, explosions, and a car crash. Some peril is played with a comical tone; one moment of worry is quickly alleviated.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Two characters seem to have a low-level attraction that involves dancing and the very lightest of flirting.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Main characters are thieves who steal jewelry and gold objects, even though they appear to have plenty.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Champagne and martini glasses are seen at parties; one character accepts what appears to be a martini. However, a character at a party later orders "a tonic water in a fancy glass," and it looks like the same drink.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Doing good makes you feel good, and you may receive positive attention for positive actions. Also makes point that stereotypes are harmful, and that if someone is labeled "bad," they may choose to lean into the label rather than fight it. Even those who have appearance of being "good" may need extra scrutiny before receiving our trust.

Diverse Representations

While main characters are all animals, they're voiced by a diverse cast, and viewers are intended to take away the idea that we need to be conscious of the impact of implicit bias and the way that attributes like race, religion, and more can be depicted as villainous by and in the media. Female characters are in traditionally male-dominated careers, such as a police chief, governor, and tech hacker.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Positive Role Models

Most of the primary characters are "bad guys" of some sort, but by the end they've made a conscious choice to change their ways. They work as a team.

Educational Value

Parents need to know that The Bad Guys is a fun animated comedy heist based on a popular graphic novel series . Delivering a memorable message about the harmful impact of stereotypes, it follows a wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell ), shark ( Craig Robinson ), piranha ( Anthony Ramos ), snake ( Marc Maron ), and tarantula ( Awkwafina ) who've formed an infamous crime ring. There's cartoon violence -- characters being hit by a car, fighting in self-defense, explosions, etc. -- and momentary peril, but it's largely delivered with a light tone. Characters drink from glasses that look like they might have cocktails in them, and friends exchange insults and use potty words ("butt," "fart," etc.). Over the course of the story, the characters learn that being good means putting others' needs before your own and that positive recognition may follow good deeds; a subplot about sharing is as clear and shiny as a diamond. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (38)
• Kids say (50)

Based on 38 parent reviews

A pleasant surprise

Really good family movie, even dad laughed, what's the story.

Notorious crime squad THE BAD GUYS have avoided capture for years, becoming the world's most wanted villains in the process. When they're finally caught, Mr. Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell ) brokers a deal: the Bad Guys will go good in exchange for their freedom. But the crew will have to convince everyone (and themselves) that they really are "good guys," just as a new villain comes to town.

Is It Any Good?

This animated adaptation of Aaron Blabey 's beloved Scholastic books revels in bringing a charming, modern take to a very specific idiom: "A wolf in sheep's clothing." Taking an empathetic approach to a crew of thieves who only pretend to "go good," this lighthearted and amusing heist comedy shows that when someone is labeled as "bad," they're likely at some point to start believing it. It's perfect fodder to help explain implicit bias, as well as why labels and stereotypes are problematic. And writer-producer Etan Cohen goes beyond the source material to show that even those who have the appearance of being "good" may need extra scrutiny before receiving our trust -- an equally valuable lesson.

The script has a few issues that may nag at parents, but overall, The Bad Guys is an enjoyable romp that's like Ocean's Eleven for children, and kids won't be hung up on the tiny details. That said, while the ending is responsible and shows that crime doesn't pay, it sure makes crime look cool along the way. This band of thieves doesn't steal out of need but because they're good at it, and it all looks legitimately fun (gentleman thief Mr. Wolf is super cool, so don't be surprised if your kiddo tries to lift something from your purse or pocket to be funny). Let's just hope the message about fighting bias is the movie's lasting influence.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about why it's harmful to label people. What is a stereotype ? Which ones do you think The Bad Guys is trying to show are problematic?

Describe what the terms "bad guy" and "good guy" mean to you. Why did you use those attributes? How do entertainment and media inform the way we think of others?

How do you feel when you help someone or put their needs before your own? Why do you think it feels good to do good?

How do the characters in the movie work as a team ?

What is a wolf in sheep's clothing? How is that idea explored in The Bad Guys ?

Movie Details

• In theaters : April 22, 2022
• On DVD or streaming : June 21, 2022
• Cast : Sam Rockwell , Awkwafina , Anthony Ramos , Marc Maron , Craig Robinson , Zazie Beetz
• Director : Pierre Perifel
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Asian actors, Latino actors, Black actors
• Studios : DreamWorks Animation , Universal Pictures
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship , Wild Animals
• Character Strengths : Teamwork
• Run time : 100 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : action and rude humor
• Award : Common Sense Selection
• Last updated : May 8, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

The Bad Guys Series

Rise of the Guardians

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Over the Hedge

Oliver & Company

Best animal tv shows for kids, best animal movies for kids, related topics.

• Book Characters
• Wild Animals

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

The Bad Guys Movie Review

The Bad Guys is a movie that is full of hilarious heists and hijinks, but also some extremely important lessons about friendship and being good.

The Bad Guys takes a popular book series and puts the lovable characters on the big screen in what is hopefully the first of many films. This movie is non-stop fun from start to finish, with hilarious hijinks happening around every corner. While the overall plot is a a bit predictable, it is easy to follow and believable for all ages. Combine that with the stellar voice cast and unique animation style, and we have ourselves a winner!

The Bad Guys is about a group of criminals who have never been given the chance to be anything but bad. They have always been feared simply because of the way they look. It is assumed that a shark, spider, piranha, snake, and wolf could never be good guys, and because of that they feel they were forced down the wrong path. But when they are given a second chance to be good in this movie, will they take it? Or will they just exploit the situation to take advantage of others? 

This film is based off of a series of children’s graphic novels that are fun for the whole family. We personally own several of them, and so we were all looking forward to this film — and it delivered. The unique style of animation was something I caught a glimpse of in the trailers, but to experience it for an entire movie was something truly special. While it is much different from the style of the books, which read like comic books, it feels like comic book art. I love this decision and I think it helps to give this film a fresh feel, compared to the animated films we have been given recently. 

Speaking of the books, there are a lot of similarities, but the movie also changes things up quite a bit, which allows viewers who have read the books to be surprised. It is always appreciated when something deviates enough from the source material to bring something new to the table, but not too much to feel like a completely different thing. 

The Bad Guys is packed solid with an incredible cast:

• Sam Rockwell (Wolf)
• Marc Maron (Snake)
• Awkwafina (Tarantula) 
• Craig Robinson (Shark)
• Anthony Ramos (Piranha)
• Zazie Beetz (Diane Foxington)

This cast was clearly allowed to have a lot of fun with their characters, and bring something of their own to each of them. Yes, they are all very similar to the characters from the books, but it does feel like all of the actors put a bit of themselves into them. For example, Anthony Ramos is a phenomenal singer, and all my hopes and dreams came true when he performed a fantastic number in the film.

The Bad Guys portrays some great friendships, even though sometimes they get into fights, they all stick together for the most part. Every character is absolutely hilarious, but being a mom of girls, it was Diane Foxington that we all related to. She has her naughty side, but she is mostly on the straight and narrow. She also kicks a lot of serious butt. 

The Bad Guys is full of humor that the whole family will enjoy. From physical antics to fart and butt jokes, there is truly something for everyone. But it isn’t all fun and games, there is a whole ton of heart here, which is perhaps the very best part. All family movies have an important lesson and this one is no different. These animals are always judged by others before they get to know them. Unfortunately this happens in the real world all too often.

The Bad Guys teaches kids that not only can they change their ways, and turn their lives around if they are going down the wrong path, but that they should never just people because of how they look. This movie is an absolute blast from start to finish, packed with action, humor, and a ton of heart. But it is the stunning visuals, unique animation style, and stellar voice acting that raise it to a whole new level.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Next: sonic the hedgehog 2 is an exciting super-speed adventure.

About The Bad Guys

After a lifetime of legendary heists, notorious criminals Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark and Ms. Tarantula are finally caught. To avoid a prison sentence, the animal outlaws must pull off their most challenging con yet — becoming model citizens. Under the tutelage of their mentor, Professor Marmalade, the dubious gang sets out to fool the world that they’re turning good.

The Bad Guys hits theaters everywhere on April 22nd!

You Might Also Enjoy...

Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.

Comments are closed.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Looking at Film from Every Angle

Review: The Bad Guys (2022)

Wesley Lovell

The Bad Guys

Pierre Perifel

Etan Cohen, Yoni Brenner, Hilary Winston

Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, Lilly Singh

MPAA Rating

Original preview.

Unlike Disney’s Zootopia , the anthropomorphized animals of DreamWorks’ The Bad Guys coexist in a world filled with humans. Like Disney’s film, the audience is asked to look beyond the natures of its animal stars and see something beyond the stereotypes. Its success is in finding a strong vocal cast who can embody both the negative and positive aspects of each character’s personality and present them to the viewer as deep, flawed individuals hemmed in by prejudice and expectations.

Sam Rockwell voices the leader of the pack. As Wolf, it’s his job as the head of the team to plan the heists they will execute. He employs his vicious personality to connive and convince his victims. Snake (Marc Maron) is his best friend and the stealth expert of the group whose ability to slither into and through any situation is almost as unrivaled as that of Tarantula (Awkwafina). She is the team’s hacker and is equally adept at getting into places covertly so that she can control the electronic devices that would otherwise be the team’s undoing. Shark (Craig Robinson) is somehow the team’s master of disguise who can take on any role and shockingly dupe his targets despite the obviousness of his appearance. Rounding out the team is Anthony Ramos as Piranha, the blood-thirsty muscle of the group who takes the reins when things require brute force rather than subtlety.

This team is one of the most notorious groups of bad guys in the city and their opening sequence, pursued by Police Chief Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein), is a cross-city chase that leaves destruction in its wake, infuriating the Chief and ensuring the team’s escape. Their next goal is to attempt to steal the Golden Dolphin Award that will be presented to philanthropist guinea pig Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade) by the state’s governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz), a literal Fox who has managed to overcome her species’ reputation and become a pinnacle to the human citizens of the state.

As a heist film, there aren’t a lot of expectations to subvert and that built-in familiarity helps sell the incidents in the film. The Bad Guys (their actual team name) attempt to turn their reputations around as a ploy to steal the Golden Dolphin at a later date. The animation is computer generated, but employs the blackened outlines common to cell-based animation, creating an interesting and nostalgic mix that defines and embellishes the art of the film. Not dissimilar to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse ‘s successful blend of 3D animation and comic book coloration styles, The Bad Guys ‘ use isn’t as effective, but it sets the film apart from its contemporaries well enough.

It’s an enjoyable film with plenty for young kids to be entertained by and providing adults just enough surface level intrigue to keep them engaged. The humor is sometimes quite juvenile, but who doesn’t enjoy well executed fart jokes? The Bad Guys is a satisfying and engaging animated picture that won’t advance the idea that animation can be used for more than just amusing kids.

Review Written

May 29, 2023

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Search Our Site

Affiliated Sites

Posts by Topic

Infrequent Updates

Site Updates

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

Registration Form

Screen Rant

Brian de palma regrets making this 1986 comedy, but it deserved better.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

10 Most Dangerous Villains In Brian De Palma's Films

10 best brian de palma movies, according to rotten tomatoes, there is one perfect way for gerard butler to return in paris has fallen.

Brian De Palma regrets making the hilarious 1986 comedy, Wise Guys , despite the film's many redeeming qualities. The movie, which stars Danny DeVito and Joe Piscopo, follows Harry and Joe, two small-time mobsters who get in trouble with their boss after losing $250,000. The dark comedy, which was directed by the legendary Brian De Palma, played a huge role in why he decided to stop creating comedies because of its financial failure and negative reception .

De Palma, alongside Francis Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese belong to a group of directors from the ‘70s known as the " Movie Brats " . The legendary director earned his reputation as a master of thrillers and suspense with movies such as Carrie , Scarface , and the cult horror musical Phantom of the Paradise . Throughout his career, De Palma has worked on dozens of movies , some more beloved than others. Wise Guys is one of the few times the director forayed into a different genre, and it unfortunately turned into a flop.

Brian De Palma has earned his status as one of the greatest ever Hollywood directors and the brilliance of his movies is mostly tied to the villains.

Why Brian De Palma Regrets Making Wise Guys

The studio did not want to make the movie.

According to an interview De Palma conducted with Business Insider , the filmmaker regrets making Wise Guys . While promoting the documentary De Palma , the director was asked if he regretted turning down Fatal Attraction , Flashdance , and Taxi Driver . Although the movies became huge successes, De Palma was not sure if he regretted turning down those projects. He did, however, regret going through with Wise Guys .

In the interview, De Palma explained that the studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, changed their minds and did not want to make Wise Guys . De Palma stated:

“ Now a movie I wish I hadn't done was Wise Guys. The studio changed their minds and didn't want to make it. They just wanted us to go away. I should have just taken my money and walked instead of dealing with a studio that didn’t want to make the movie .”

The filmmaker did not reveal why the studio had changed their mind despite initially agreeing to make it. The director regretted not walking away from the project and instead had to deal with a studio that was not interested in making the comedy.

Wise Guys Really Isn't As Bad As Its Reputation Suggests

Wise guys’ reviews were divisive.

De Palma took a huge risk when creating a comedy, particularly since his strengths lay in thrillers and horrors . So it is not surprising that Wise Guys earned the reputation of being one of De Palma’s worst movies. Despite the comedy being critically panned, audiences seemed to have enjoyed the movie’s wacky humor. The movie holds a middling 42% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes – not indicative of a total flop.

With classics like Scarface and Carrie, Brian De Palma is one of Hollywood's most legendary directors. What's the very best of his filmography?

Despite the audience's lukewarm response, critics seemed to dislike Wise Guys because of script issues and the fact that it relied on over-the-top performances from the cast to make it entertaining. However, the movie isn’t as bad as its reputation suggests. There are several great things about Wise Guys . The chemistry between Joe and Harry adds to the humor of the gangster parody. The lightweight comedy and performances by the supporting cast make the movie a joy to watch. Although Wise Guys is considered one of De Palma’s worst movies, the filmmaker's signature editing style works well in the comedy .

Wise Guys Could've Become A Cult Classic With The Right Backing

Wise guys was distributed by metro-goldwyn-mayer.

Wise Guys featured elements that would have made it a cult classic: the movie was panned by critics but had a small, loyal fanbase, boasting iconic characters and memorable quotes . Despite all these elements, Wise Guys did not become a cult classic. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the studio that distributed Wise Guys , was not invested in the movie’s success, which affected how it was marketed. This meant that audiences were not aware of the film. Further, the movie was created by De Palma, a director who is mostly known for his work in thrillers, and not comedies.

It is understandable why Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was not keen to produce the movie, especially because De Palma’s previous comedies, Hi, Mom! and Get To Know Your Rabbit , had mixed reviews. Perhaps Wise Guys could have become a cult classic if it was backed by a studio that believed in De Palma’s vision. It is also possible that Wise Guys could have become a cult classic if a different director who was well-versed in the comedy genre was at the helm of the movie instead of De Palma.

Sources: Business Insider

Your Rating

Your comment has not been saved

Wise Guys is a comedy film directed by Brian De Palma, featuring Joe Piscopo and Danny DeVito as Harry and Moe, two low-level mobsters who inadvertently find themselves in trouble with their boss. Set in New Jersey, the plot chronicles their misadventures as they try to flee from their superiors and navigate a series of chaotic and humorous situations.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• About Rotten Tomatoes®
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening This Week
• Top Box Office
• Coming Soon to Theaters
• Certified Fresh Movies

Movies at Home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most Popular Streaming Movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 77% Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Link to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
• 94% Rebel Ridge Link to Rebel Ridge
• 100% His Three Daughters Link to His Three Daughters

New TV Tonight

• 100% Slow Horses: Season 4
• 97% English Teacher: Season 1
• 92% Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist: Season 1
• 100% Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos: Season 1
• 54% The Perfect Couple: Season 1
• -- Tell Me Lies: Season 2
• -- Outlast: Season 2
• -- The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Season 1
• -- Selling Sunset: Season 8
• -- Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Season 14

Most Popular TV on RT

• 74% Kaos: Season 1
• 83% The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 2
• 89% Terminator Zero: Season 1
• 100% Dark Winds: Season 2
• 93% Bad Monkey: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV

Certified fresh pick

• 100% Slow Horses: Season 4 Link to Slow Horses: Season 4
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Best TV Shows of 2024: Best New Series to Watch Now

All Tim Burton Movies Ranked

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Cast on Reuniting with Tim Burton

New Movies and TV Shows Streaming in September 2024: What to Watch on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max and more

• Trending on RT
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
• Top 10 Box Office
• Venice Film Festival
• Popular Series on Netflix

Where to Watch

Rent Bad Guys on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

Cast & Crew

Jack Sambrook

Will Unsworth

Screenwriter