Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer ignite the screen like a pair of seasoned boxers, unleashing a midlife comedy thriller that's equal parts action-packed and laugh-out-loud funny. 'Ride or Die' is an adrenaline-fuelled ride that refuses to back down, taking on the taboo subject of women in their fifties with unflinching honesty.
Waddingham brings her A-game as Whiptail, a ruthless assassin who's been around the block a few times – and doesn't take kindly to being told she's past her prime. Her bosses think she's 'acting out', offering her a generous retirement package like it's a parting gift. But Whiptail's not one for sticking to script; she takes matters into her own hands, going rogue in a move that sets off a chain reaction of events.
Meanwhile, Spencer's Debbie is living the perfect facade – or so she thinks. Her husband David (Jamie Parker) is on the cusp of becoming Prime Minister, and Debbie's blissfully unaware of Judith's (Waddingham) true calling as a deadly assassin. But when David announces he wants out, coinciding with Whiptail's latest mission to take down Ed Skrein's ruthless gangland boss Billy Donovan at a charity gala, the stage is set for chaos.
The night descends into utter mayhem, and Whiptail finds herself protecting a distraught Debbie amidst the bloodshed. It's not just about saving her friend; it's about confronting the very real reasons behind the escalating events. The trust has been broken – and that's where 'Ride or Die' really gets its teeth into you.
This show does something rather remarkable: it tackles ageism head-on, using the midlife experiences of Waddingham and Spencer to drive the narrative and explore themes of invisibility and societal assumptions about women in their fifties. It's a clever move that pays off, weaving these elements seamlessly into a thrilling and side-splitting storyline that will leave you on the edge of your seat.