# The Fall Guy (2024) Review: A Valentine to Stunt Crews > The Fall Guy stars Ryan Gosling as a stuntman caught up in a missing-star mystery, a charming action romcom and a warm tribute to stunt work, if a baggy one. Canonical: https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/the-fall-guy-2024-review/ Published: 2026-07-23 Last updated: 2026-09-24 Author: Kaiser Khan — Founder & Editor Language: English Review basis: direct-viewing Spoilers: none Rating: 3.5/5 ## Verdict Yes, with reservations. Gosling and Blunt are delightful and the stunts are superb, but the plot is flimsy and runs long; ideal for a light, crowd-pleasing night in. ## Is The Fall Guy worth watching? **Yes, with reservations. The Fall Guy is a big, likeable action romcom with superb practical stunts and two stars in winning form, even if its story is thinner than its running time.** David Leitch, a former stuntman himself, makes the film an affectionate tribute to the people who take the hits for movie stars, and Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt have easy, funny chemistry. The reservation is that the conspiracy plot is flimsy, and at over two hours, the film stretches its charm further than it needs to. ## What is The Fall Guy about? Colt Seavers ([Ryan Gosling](https://celluloidscore.com/stars/americas/canada/ryan-gosling/)) is a veteran stuntman, the regular double for action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). After a serious on-set accident, Colt retreats from the business and from his relationship with Jody Moreno ([Emily Blunt](https://celluloidscore.com/stars/europe/united-kingdom/emily-blunt/)), a camera operator with ambitions to direct. Some time later, he is lured back to work on Jody's directing debut, a sprawling science fiction epic shooting in Sydney, only to discover that Tom has gone missing and the production's producer (Hannah Waddingham) needs Colt to find him quietly. Before long, he is juggling a dangerous mystery, a demanding stunt schedule and his unfinished business with Jody. [The Fall Guy](https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-fall-guy-2024/) was directed by David Leitch and loosely based on the 1980s television series of the same name. It is an American production in English, and it runs 127 minutes. Winston Duke and Stephanie Hsu co-star. ## Stunts as the star attraction The film's heart is its celebration of stunt work, and it delivers. Leitch and his team stage a series of practical set pieces, including car chases, high falls and fire stunts, with a physicality that computer effects rarely match. A spectacular car roll early in the film sets the tone, and the action throughout has a tactile, bruising quality that makes the audience feel the risk. The film also enjoys showing how those sequences are made. Scenes on set, with rigs, crash mats and stunt coordinators, give viewers a glimpse of the craft, and the film clearly wants its audience to appreciate the people who make these moments possible. That affection gives even the silliest action beats a warm undercurrent. ## Gosling and Blunt carry the romance Gosling is in his element, playing Colt as laid-back, self-deprecating and physically fearless, with the comic timing he has honed in recent years. He makes Colt's lovelorn devotion both funny and sincere, and his willingness to be the butt of the joke is part of the charm. Blunt matches him with sharp, playful energy. Jody is ambitious, frazzled and still hurt, and some of the film's best scenes are simple conversations between the two, including a wonderfully awkward exchange conducted through a megaphone on set. Their chemistry is the reason the film works. Aaron Taylor-Johnson has fun as a vain, self-absorbed star, and Hannah Waddingham and Winston Duke add lively support. ## Where the plot runs thin The mystery at the centre of the film is its weakest element. The conspiracy is predictable and somewhat convoluted, and it often feels like a device to move Colt from one stunt to the next rather than a story with real tension. At 127 minutes, the film sags in the middle, with some set pieces and meta jokes about moviemaking running longer than their payoff. The tonal mix of action, romance and broad comedy is mostly enjoyable, but the film occasionally strains for laughs. Those looking for a tight thriller will find it loose. ## Who should watch The Fall Guy? It is a great choice for a light, crowd-pleasing evening, especially for fans of action comedies, Gosling and Blunt, and anyone curious about how movie stunts are made. The action violence is moderate and mostly comic, with some language and mild innuendo, so it is suitable for teenagers and adults. If you enjoy it, three worthwhile follow-ups: - [Deadpool 2](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/deadpool-2-2018-review/), another Leitch action comedy that mixes stunt spectacle with self-aware jokes. - [The General](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/the-general-1926-review/), Buster Keaton's silent classic and a reminder of how long physical stunt comedy has thrilled audiences. - [Singin' in the Rain](https://celluloidscore.com/movies/singin-in-the-rain-1952/), the definitive comedy about the people behind the movies. ## The verdict The Fall Guy is a charming, big-hearted action romcom that shines when it celebrates stunt work and lets Gosling and Blunt play off each other. Its flimsy conspiracy plot and excess length hold it back, but its practical spectacle and warmth make it an easy, enjoyable watch. **Rating: 3.5/5** ## Related title - [The Fall Guy (2024)](https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-fall-guy-2024/) ## Editorial - [Editorial standards](https://celluloidscore.com/about/editorial-policy/) - [Report a correction](https://celluloidscore.com/about/corrections/)