This film wasn't deep, and at times it stretched credibility, but it was fun and engaging. I'd call it a buddy film on a couple of levels: The main characters, Connie and Jo, and then the sub-characters, Simon and Ken. The acting was solid, though the relatively unknown Paul Walter Hauser stole the movie. I'd recommend this film for unwinding on a Friday night after a long week.
147 Reviews
Don't be put off by the premise
mikegibb-6041821 February 2022
I was kind of reluctant to watch this - a scam by two girls involving grocery coupons didn't sound too promising. In fact, however, it has produced a sweet, funny and very well made film. It moves along at a really good pace and you quickly find yourself rooting for the two of them. The script is sharp and witty and Kristen Bell is delightful in the main part. Not an Oscar nominee but highly entertaining. And the fact that it was inspired by real events gives it an extra edge.
Needed less not more
thekarmicnomad7 March 2022
This is a fun little movie about some women who sell stolen coupons on the internet.
The premise is simple but solid. The film rests squarely on Kirsten and Kirby who are more than up for the task and they were great to watch.
This could have been an absolute low-end classic like "Office Space" or "Mad Money" but it tries a little too hard to make this truly worth your time.
The story has a lot of bloat to it that so easily could have been cut. The husband feels like he should be integral to the plot but is superfluous. He is only there to be a one dimensional butt-hole for Kristen to rail against. If anything it makes her character come across unnecessarily cold - "I don't need you as I have loads of money now so see you later sucker!".
To pad the film out there is some toilet humour and over-acting jokes that just don't land.
The relationship between the investigators was a nice touch but it feels like they couldn't decide what to do with the Loss Prevention officer and he sometimes felt like a cartoon character: stupid and irrelevant rather than a loveable buffoon.
The plot strays in to silly-land with the hacker character and never really gets back on to solid ground, so any sense of tension was lost and it ended up being a full on comedy and I lost interest in the final outcome.
Overall this is bouncy and fun with an adequate production and some funny jokes. It is good for a Sunday afternoon if you want something new but I think it only has one watch in it.
The premise is simple but solid. The film rests squarely on Kirsten and Kirby who are more than up for the task and they were great to watch.
This could have been an absolute low-end classic like "Office Space" or "Mad Money" but it tries a little too hard to make this truly worth your time.
The story has a lot of bloat to it that so easily could have been cut. The husband feels like he should be integral to the plot but is superfluous. He is only there to be a one dimensional butt-hole for Kristen to rail against. If anything it makes her character come across unnecessarily cold - "I don't need you as I have loads of money now so see you later sucker!".
To pad the film out there is some toilet humour and over-acting jokes that just don't land.
The relationship between the investigators was a nice touch but it feels like they couldn't decide what to do with the Loss Prevention officer and he sometimes felt like a cartoon character: stupid and irrelevant rather than a loveable buffoon.
The plot strays in to silly-land with the hacker character and never really gets back on to solid ground, so any sense of tension was lost and it ended up being a full on comedy and I lost interest in the final outcome.
Overall this is bouncy and fun with an adequate production and some funny jokes. It is good for a Sunday afternoon if you want something new but I think it only has one watch in it.
What fun!
jkt20062 October 2021
This one turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I had liked the trailer basically the plot but was expecting it to be just ok. But the tight script, good execution and editing makes it worthwhile. Kristen and Kirby get it right in each scene in the movie and Vince Vaughn though with limited screen time does a great job as well.
Pretty funny story
Movi3DO4 October 2021
Coupons... so many coupons....
Wow this actually happened. A coupon scam that costed companies millions of dollars masterminded by two jobless ladies. This was some next level utilization of coupons. At first they just stockpiled coupons that they got from the mail and used them all at once. However, things became out of hand when they came up with the new business that crossed the line of legality.
The way the story was told was done many times before in other crime thrillers that started out with a character getting arrested and then retold how that happened. However, there's a good amount of comedy that reflected the ridiculousness of the story. The first two third of the movie I enjoyed quite a bit, but then after the fallout the story became lackluster and the impact didn't land with me.
The character I liked the most was Ken Miller, played wonderfully by Paul Walter Hauser. The dude was just hilarious and goofy. I cracked up couple of times when he was on the screen. He also had good chemistry with Vince Vaughn's character. Another character that I liked was Bebe Rexha's character. She had little screen time, but she owned her lines and looked amazing.
Another problem I had was the runtime. Usually the pacing was slow, and the story took too long to get to its destination. Near the end I was kinda checking out and didn't care much about the ending.
Overall, a ridiculous real-life story with some funny moments, but the story execution could be improved. 6.5/10.
Wow this actually happened. A coupon scam that costed companies millions of dollars masterminded by two jobless ladies. This was some next level utilization of coupons. At first they just stockpiled coupons that they got from the mail and used them all at once. However, things became out of hand when they came up with the new business that crossed the line of legality.
The way the story was told was done many times before in other crime thrillers that started out with a character getting arrested and then retold how that happened. However, there's a good amount of comedy that reflected the ridiculousness of the story. The first two third of the movie I enjoyed quite a bit, but then after the fallout the story became lackluster and the impact didn't land with me.
The character I liked the most was Ken Miller, played wonderfully by Paul Walter Hauser. The dude was just hilarious and goofy. I cracked up couple of times when he was on the screen. He also had good chemistry with Vince Vaughn's character. Another character that I liked was Bebe Rexha's character. She had little screen time, but she owned her lines and looked amazing.
Another problem I had was the runtime. Usually the pacing was slow, and the story took too long to get to its destination. Near the end I was kinda checking out and didn't care much about the ending.
Overall, a ridiculous real-life story with some funny moments, but the story execution could be improved. 6.5/10.
actually a very...
ops-5253530 September 2021
Funny and highly original story and plot, has a good mix of caracter actors, and as the kingpins do, does the queenpins too, namely dealing with drugs...
that you can get for free in the american supermarkets if you get stoned with a piece of paper and a scissor, only with a twisted scheme of crime so easy and still so inovative that none agencies except for the police force of the u.s. Postal services does consider it as a crime to be.
This is lighthearted comedy with a plotstory that may be copycatted on the home office copy machine, so you better watch out cause they will catch you if they can.just forget about the lifetime-feel youll get in the start of the movie, it gets good in just a while, therefore a recommend from the grumpy old man.
that you can get for free in the american supermarkets if you get stoned with a piece of paper and a scissor, only with a twisted scheme of crime so easy and still so inovative that none agencies except for the police force of the u.s. Postal services does consider it as a crime to be.
This is lighthearted comedy with a plotstory that may be copycatted on the home office copy machine, so you better watch out cause they will catch you if they can.just forget about the lifetime-feel youll get in the start of the movie, it gets good in just a while, therefore a recommend from the grumpy old man.
Fun Movie with lots of lessons.
kenzibit1 October 2021
I really enjoyed this one, was funny with great memory hitting quotes. Will say performances were really good and the fact that they paid a very close attention to the details in the real story makes it a worthy watch. Only thing was the gaps in the excitement levels in the movie, after a mojor one hits, it kinda takes a while for a follow-up and can make some scenes boring. Nonetheless a fun movie to enjoy.
More entertaining than I expected.
Top_Dawg_Critic20 October 2021
Aside from the many poor attempts at humor, there still were a few LOL moments. The writing needed to be more consistent and tighter, with better character development. The directing was decent and the score on point. The 110 min runtime and pacing were spot-on. But it was the stellar casting and their performances that elevated this "based on true events" interesting af comedy. Kristen Bell shined as the coupon queen, and Paul Walter Hauser nailed his role. I wanted to see more of Vince Vaughn though. Nevertheless, still enjoyable and a recommended watch. It's a well deserved 8/10 from me.
Fun premise, mediocre execution
danielladue4 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The premise was fun. I even overlooked the fact that this was a "chick flick", because I've been pleasantly surprised by female lead comedies before. Talented actors, buddy crime, good cinematography, and full budget. What's to lose?
The problem is this film has way too many logical errors, and strongly unlikable characters. The lead role played by Kristen Bell is in a pathetic, loveless marriage. It makes ZERO sense why they would try to have a baby, or why they have any relationship at all. She randomly stays without so much as an argument. The husband is a joke of a strict IRS worker who is totally miscast. Then after she makes her secret fortune with her bestie, she STAYS in the marriage, but gets herself artificially impregnated with someone else's sperm. I'll repeat, the women in a terrible marriage finds empowerment and fortune from her crimes, decides to impregnate herself from a random man, but stays in the marriage for husband to raise! Their inevitable split doesn't happen until way after sanity has left.
The buddy duo of Postal Inspector and Loss Prevention Officer has some good moments, but kinda mediocre in total.
Now for the other half of our female duo, Jojo. A black woman that is stuck living with her mom. She is an equal to her Caucasian friend in almost all aspects of the story and the planning of the scam. Her character was fun throughout most of the film, and a nice counterbalance to her co-conspirator. A few other reviews were very upset about "woke" messages from this character. I kept waiting to be offended, but it didn't happen. If anything, I'd just say it's cliche these days to keep the POC characters mildly complaining about habits of white people. Just lazy is all.
I always give at a 5 if the film is Proffesionally done, and not horribly written. So a 6 just means it has a little entertainment value. Basic Hollywood comedy.
The problem is this film has way too many logical errors, and strongly unlikable characters. The lead role played by Kristen Bell is in a pathetic, loveless marriage. It makes ZERO sense why they would try to have a baby, or why they have any relationship at all. She randomly stays without so much as an argument. The husband is a joke of a strict IRS worker who is totally miscast. Then after she makes her secret fortune with her bestie, she STAYS in the marriage, but gets herself artificially impregnated with someone else's sperm. I'll repeat, the women in a terrible marriage finds empowerment and fortune from her crimes, decides to impregnate herself from a random man, but stays in the marriage for husband to raise! Their inevitable split doesn't happen until way after sanity has left.
The buddy duo of Postal Inspector and Loss Prevention Officer has some good moments, but kinda mediocre in total.
Now for the other half of our female duo, Jojo. A black woman that is stuck living with her mom. She is an equal to her Caucasian friend in almost all aspects of the story and the planning of the scam. Her character was fun throughout most of the film, and a nice counterbalance to her co-conspirator. A few other reviews were very upset about "woke" messages from this character. I kept waiting to be offended, but it didn't happen. If anything, I'd just say it's cliche these days to keep the POC characters mildly complaining about habits of white people. Just lazy is all.
I always give at a 5 if the film is Proffesionally done, and not horribly written. So a 6 just means it has a little entertainment value. Basic Hollywood comedy.
Glorified crime
christopherjune8 February 2022
Kristen bell portrays a character who is the modern day, self entitled me me me woman. We supposed to feel sorry for her?
Film has to make out like her husband is the bad guy to fit the current rhetoric.
Dont get me started on the fact the film makes you want them to get away with it.
The true story behind this is an absolute disgrace commit fraud and live happily ever after in a place you can carry on commiting the fraud after you did a measly 9 months.
Film has to make out like her husband is the bad guy to fit the current rhetoric.
Dont get me started on the fact the film makes you want them to get away with it.
The true story behind this is an absolute disgrace commit fraud and live happily ever after in a place you can carry on commiting the fraud after you did a measly 9 months.
I love it for what it is
UniqueParticle21 November 2021
I don't know what the haters were about this movie is a lot of fun, it's a pleasant surprise and delightful experience! Kind of a brilliant concept and hilarious even when it's not Queenpins is highly entertaining. I wanted to see awhile ago glad showtime put it on. I love the music so much and I absolutely love Paul Walter Hauser he's great in anything! I'm not sure what others expected but I think the movie hit the spot.
Real Fun
aswathiwarrier21 January 2024
Released in 2021 directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, this one is a real fun watch. The story of two neighbors who are best friend, who make a fortune out of free coupons that they get mailed in from Mexico where the coupons are printed, and selling them through a simple YouTube channel ad. Some of the quotes in the movie, about how family is the most important, and also the relevance of letters to people, is amazing. First time I learnt about US Postal Inspector! FBI is similar to them per that officer! Also loved how the person who was very strict on coupon rules starts bending them a bit by the end. The film is loosely based on the story of Robin Ramirez, Amiko (Amy) Fountain, and Marilyn Johnson who were arrested by the Phoenix Police in 2012. The police found more than $25 million of fake coupons in Ramirez' house and seized more than $2 million worth of assets including 22 assault weapons, 21 vehicles, and a 40-foot boat.
Too bad it's inacurate and downright dishonest
ehmn200120 February 2024
The main problem with this one is that is how inaccurate and dishonest it is. Almost all of it. The coupon scam was real, but the none of the characters or plot is. She was not a Olympic Gold medalist who was driven to this because she was broke and miscarried her baby because she is infertile. They only added those bits to manipulate the audience into making you feel sorry for/and sympathize with her willingly break the law. There were two other women that did it with her and they weren't influencers that had their lives ruined because of a hacker which also didn't exist. The FBI actually did investigate right away along with the USPS; I can go on and on about how the screenwriters completely made up most of this film in order to make it appealing and interesting.
The problem is, it was wholly unnecessary to do that. The story seems fascinating and interesting as it is. Why invent all of these characters and plot elements in order to manipulate the audience into liking the protagonist? Was it that Kristen and Vince wouldn't have done the movie if they didn't?
For these reasons, you can pass on this. It's hard to watch when you know that most of it isn't true. Plenty of other "based on a true story" crime dramas out there that at least can stay accurate.
The problem is, it was wholly unnecessary to do that. The story seems fascinating and interesting as it is. Why invent all of these characters and plot elements in order to manipulate the audience into liking the protagonist? Was it that Kristen and Vince wouldn't have done the movie if they didn't?
For these reasons, you can pass on this. It's hard to watch when you know that most of it isn't true. Plenty of other "based on a true story" crime dramas out there that at least can stay accurate.
Fast is Good
nogodnomasters5 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Connie Kominsky (Kristen Bell) is a former Olympic race walker. She is married to an IRS agent (Joel McHale). Since losing her baby she has become an avid coupon-er along with her friend JoJo (Kirby Howell-Baptiste ). They get the idea to obtain coupons from the factory in Mexico using an inside person. Long story short, they get too greedy and make millions that sent up a flag.
This was a light comedy that will make you smile, but not laugh. I think what would have made the film good is if Ken (Paul Walter Hauser ) was her donor and used a fake profile.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
This was a light comedy that will make you smile, but not laugh. I think what would have made the film good is if Ken (Paul Walter Hauser ) was her donor and used a fake profile.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
Pleasantly surprised
Groovykat1022 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Ok maybe if you were not part of the coupon world back in the day this movie may seem far fetched. I was deep into it and still do it but I use digital coupons now, not paper. There literally was tons of coupon fraud going on and there really was a guy that his life's mission 24/7 was to try and put people in jail for coupon fraud. He would infiltrate the coupon groups, he did whatever he had to to make life hell for couponers. It was actually quite funny thinking back on it, and they definitely nailed the Ken character because that is actually spot on to what I think of when I think back to that guy. Although the one in the movie is fictional, he does remind me of the real life one that was over zealous about coupon use. I enjoyed the movie, light hearted and funny although the part about Ken in the car during a stake out was a little much and not needed but it did show how far this guy was willing to go and I would bet money the real life guy actually would have done that. The dude was crazy. Any of you couponers know who I am talking about. Anyway I enjoyed it and it brought back good memories of when I would coupon and the store would actually owe me money so I would have to add on a candy bar or something so they wouldn't get in trouble for giving money back. Good times! If you want the real life version of what happened watch Pink Collar Crime, episode 6.
Worth a watch
jonolson-9392322 November 2021
To the person who said they only watched this because of Vaughn, but were disappointed he didn't get enough screen time: IMDB lists the cast in order of screen time. Vaughn is #36 on the list. It should be obvious before you watch that he barely appears in it. In fact, I had no idea he was in this movie at all until I read your review. I don't typically scroll that far down on the cast list. Anyway, this is an entertaining movie and worth a watch.
funnier than expected
joeyford-553429 November 2021
All the comedians here did some heavy lifting to make this a fun ride overall. Brought to you by the folks who bought you "Hustlers" about hookers who kidnap and rob rich white guys, this has the same flavor of something that is wrong, illegal, but the writers and team make it OK. In this one, two sad ladies who are hustling but not moving forward in life change up their coupon habit into an illegal enterprise that nets millions by ripping off the fat, rich, faceless corporations. It is that underlying yucky feeling of "let's steal stuff and it's OK because the target is rich" that makes it feel yucky. Having money or success does not mean you are a bad person and should be targeted.
Very Funny, Well Acted and Upbeat
danew135 October 2021
A good comedy.
calorne29 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
There's a lot of disappointing comedies out there, but this one is enjoyable throughout and very funny indeed at times.
Excellent casting and very natural performances. Really bubbly Queenpins and not in a grating way, but in a way that made them likeable and engaging. I really believed in their characters
The coupon expert was great too and his relationship with the senior post office official was very entertaining.
Jo Jo's mother was a hoot, she had a couple of the funniest lines and delivered them perfectly.
I didn't quite get the relationship between the ringleader and her husband. I got the impression we were meant to think he was all bad, when what he was saying was not always unreasonable.
It is said to be based on a true story and I wonder if the real coupon conspirators are as pleasant as our ones in the movie?
Excellent casting and very natural performances. Really bubbly Queenpins and not in a grating way, but in a way that made them likeable and engaging. I really believed in their characters
The coupon expert was great too and his relationship with the senior post office official was very entertaining.
Jo Jo's mother was a hoot, she had a couple of the funniest lines and delivered them perfectly.
I didn't quite get the relationship between the ringleader and her husband. I got the impression we were meant to think he was all bad, when what he was saying was not always unreasonable.
It is said to be based on a true story and I wonder if the real coupon conspirators are as pleasant as our ones in the movie?
Somewhere there was a really good movie.
bowieec4 December 2021
Unfortunately, that good movie wasn't here. There were moments I truly enjoyed and laughed out loud, but they were few and far between. The tone was all over the place in writing, storyline and acting. If they were going for quirky and mixing genres, the writers should have taken a few more notes from something like Raising Arizona.
Queenpins
JoBloTheMovieCritic5 October 2021
8/10 - similar in style to fellow STX film, Hustlers, this female-led story ripped from real life is utterly engrossing, well-executed, and while not perfect, makes for an enjoyable two hours (and a desire to get more into couponing)
Fun Weird Movie
nIGHTmAYOR2 October 2021
The Movie tries to tap on extravagant events and opens doors to areas you might not have thought about before . But here are few takes to some of what makes this movie a little off :
Kristen Bell lack of makeup as desperate house wife made her look exhausted the entire movie .
Paul Walter (Ken) did his best but the lines they gave him were super cheesy.
Vince Vaughn had a poker face most of the movie despite him being the top celebrity in the entire cast so one would expect more of him .
Paul and Vince relation build up is pretty awkward and inconvenient .
Too many stuffed agendas tossed at you in what is supposed to be a brainless flick .
Kristen Bell lack of makeup as desperate house wife made her look exhausted the entire movie .
Paul Walter (Ken) did his best but the lines they gave him were super cheesy.
Vince Vaughn had a poker face most of the movie despite him being the top celebrity in the entire cast so one would expect more of him .
Paul and Vince relation build up is pretty awkward and inconvenient .
Too many stuffed agendas tossed at you in what is supposed to be a brainless flick .
Unnessessary scenes, overdone and over cooked comedy attempt
Xavier_Stone14 October 2021
I love Kristen Bell in almost anything but she doesn't quite get the job done here. Maybe it's just the story is just way too watered down for me to believe that it's an actual true story. Lots of wonder things have to happen for this to get all put together and the attempts at comedy don't go over all that well.
There really is no need to make the cyber hacker girl so over the top. Vince was good, but again it just doesn't go well with the scenes. There's a scene where a guy shits his pants in a car, completely not needed.
This whole thing just feels rushed and unpolished. Sometimes good actors get matched with a mediocre script and nothing they can do will pull it out of the trash bin. This is one of those movies. A comedy with a few likeable scenes but guaranteed not to make anyone laugh.
There really is no need to make the cyber hacker girl so over the top. Vince was good, but again it just doesn't go well with the scenes. There's a scene where a guy shits his pants in a car, completely not needed.
This whole thing just feels rushed and unpolished. Sometimes good actors get matched with a mediocre script and nothing they can do will pull it out of the trash bin. This is one of those movies. A comedy with a few likeable scenes but guaranteed not to make anyone laugh.
I thought it was funny
ivantheeditor29 January 2022
Don't take it too seriously. It's a niche type of comedy for sure. Kristen Bell is her typical self. You just gotta love her!! It's a clever plot, I liked the story, nothing too over the top, will probably be forgotten in 2 years, it's just a good way to pass the time. Give it a try.
Clip 'em if you got 'em!
dorlando-8690414 October 2021
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