‘Ride or Die’ Review: Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer Bring Action to Life

Hannah Waddingham has long been a comedic force on television, and now Prime Video gives her a frying pan, a ski slope escape, and a body count to match. In ‘Ride or Die’, she teams up with Octavia Spencer as two lifelong friends whose bond is tested when one of them reveals a job that involves far more killing than they ever discussed over lunch.

The premise is straightforward enough to fit on a poster. Debbie, portrayed by Spencer, is a former lawyer who has traded her career for a comfortable life as a politician’s wife in London. Judith, played by Waddingham, is her closest friend of over two decades, the woman who shows up for every dinner and school run. However, it turns out she is also a professional assassin, and when Debbie’s husband crosses the wrong criminal organization, the two women find themselves on the run across Europe.

What elevates the show is the undeniable chemistry between its two leads. Waddingham immerses herself in the role of Judith with a physicality that genuinely surprises, as she skis, brawls, and navigates car chases with a conviction that makes you wish for an entire franchise built around her character.

Spencer, on the other hand, gets to explore a character who is intelligent and composed until her world turns upside down, effectively conveying every ounce of panic and fury.

However, the show falters in its surrounding elements. The spy agency dynamics, the shadowy boss pulling strings from behind a desk, and the various handlers and weapons dealers feel more like filler than essential plot. Eight episodes can feel excessive for a story that might have thrived as a two-hour film, and by the latter half, I found myself longing for more scenes between Debbie and Judith rather than caring about who was pursuing them.

Despite these issues, there’s something refreshing about watching two women in their fifties engage in loud, violent, and romantically viable scenarios without the show treating it as a novelty. The fight choreography varies by location and character, preventing the action from blending together, and the show wisely allows its supporting cast to shine rather than merely filling space.

Bill Nighy, in particular, delivers his role with a dry menace that only he can produce, while Ed Skrein adds a charm that brings much-needed lightness to the middle of the season.

The emotional core remains intact, even when the plot falters. Judith’s guilt over her hidden life and Debbie’s anger at discovering it feel authentic, and the flashbacks tracing their friendship lend the finale a weight it might otherwise lack. The show understands that its true focus was never solely on the assassins or the mob money, but rather on the enduring friendship, which remains steadfast despite the surrounding spy chaos.

Overall, I found ‘Ride or Die’ to be an entertaining watch, largely thanks to two performers who give their all in every scene. The show may ask for forgiveness regarding familiar spy tropes and an extended runtime, but the chemistry between its leads makes that forgiveness easy. I’m giving it an 8 out of 10, a series built on charisma first and plot second, and it mostly benefits from this approach.

Did ‘Ride or Die’ win you over, or did the eight-episode runtime wear you down? Share your thoughts in the comments.