Writer-Director Shane Black, The Predator notwithstanding, is always a must-check-out. From establishing the brand of top-dollar screenwriters to writing-directing delights like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Nice Guys, and the best Iron Man film, you can typically rely on at least something to make his projects worth a watch. Pairing him with Richard Stark’s (aka Donald Westlake) clever but brutal thief Parker makes the prospect even sweeter. If ever there were an established character uniquely suited to Black’s skills, Parker might be it. So why does Play Dirty feel a little lacking?

There is a certain temptation to put it at the feet of Mark Wahlberg, the film’s star. And that instinct isn’t totally incorrect. Wahlberg, regardless of his personal inequities, past and present, isn’t without his talents. He can be a solid square-jawed action lead and turn in a decent comedic turn. See another Guys film, The Other Guys, for proof of the latter. And sometimes, he just straight up hits the bullseye. To rattle off two, there’s the new dad in the unexpectedly smart about foster families Instant Family, or the loyal prick who believes in justice in The Departed.

Unfortunately, he elects to author Parker with a kind of flat, rarely dysregulated affect. The choice isn’t entirely unfounded. Parker is as cool as the other side of the pillow and always has a plan. However, there is also a viciousness to the character—he’s a Westlake creation after all—that never surfaces in the actor’s performance. He goes through the motions well enough, but he’s too calm, too in control. Even as his body count steadily increases, it feels bloodless. Worse, his acts of revenge end up feeling like righteous score settling instead of merely a product of his refusal to let any and all betrayals stand. Wahlberg nails Parker’s professionalism but never taps into his nastiness.

That said, there are plenty of supporting characters that get the assignment, seemingly enough to offset him. Chief among them is LaKeith Stanfield as Grofield. More of an actor who thieves than a thief who acts, Stanfield makes Grofield into a natural fit for the script by Black, Anthony Bagarozzi, and Charles Mondry. Speaking every line in affected baritone, he gives the film a welcome looseness and comedic charm. While fitting the rest of the movie to his vibe might’ve run counter to the source material, it likely would’ve led to a better film overall. Given Wahlberg falling short of embodying Parker as intended anyway, one might well ask, why not go for it? Play Dirty literally giving Stanfield the last word suggests that perhaps the filmmakers agree.

The closest the film comes to that tone is when Parker’s team, including husband and wife Ed (Keegan-Michael Key) and Brenda Mackey (Claire Lovering), and the drunken charismatic Stan Devers (Chai Hansen), comes together. There’s a sense of established chemistry among them. Black and Co’s script feels especially in the pocket whenever they’re breaking a plan or quarreling over some minor detail. Unfortunately, the film never manages to reconcile the “we’re staging a heist” adult theatre kid energy with the film’s dour bits. Rosa Salazar as the two-faced revolutionary Zen is this unsuccessfully navigated tension made character. The failure to integrate the character renders the finale perfunctory instead of heartbreaking.

Black doesn’t get enough space to flex his action muscles either. A train derailment setpiece proves big and loud enough to push past the constraints of being a direct-to-streamer actioner, but everything else largely falls flat. Yes, there are his signature flourishes—uzis, fights interrupted by smart insults and smarter rejoinders, yuletide bloodshed—but, again, the whole thing doesn’t stitch together.

Play Dirty is ultimately a headscratcher. Black feels like a great choice for the source material. Wahlberg seems like a solid enough choice for Parker. There’s humor, there’s action, there’s femme fatales and tragic loyal friends. And yet, as a whole, it never pays off on all that promise. It’s fine enough, I guess, but everything’s a bit of a mess.

Play Dirty loves it when a plan comes together on Prime Video now.

Play Dirty Trailer: