Baywatch (2017)

Baywatch is the rare reboot that understands exactly what it is: a glossy, sun-drenched action-comedy that winks at its own absurdity while still delivering real popcorn-movie momentum. Dwayne Johnson’s steady, larger-than-life charm plays perfectly against Zac Efron’s swaggering chaos, and the movie keeps finding ways to turn lifeguard heroics into big, ridiculous set pieces without losing that breezy beach vibe. Seth Gordon leans hard into R-rated silliness—crude jokes, loud banter, and a few “did they really just do that?” moments—while Priyanka Chopra Jonas brings a slick, villainous edge that gives the mayhem something to push against. If you want subtlety or a clean, family-friendly throwback, this isn’t it, but if you’re on the fence and craving a funny, high-energy summer romp powered by star charisma, it’s an easy yes.

Baywatch (2017) is trying to be a glossy, self-aware update of the TV show—part action-comedy, part beach-body satire, with a crime plot to give it some momentum. The problem is the jokes often feel forced and repetitive, and the story is so routine and overblown that even the explosions can’t hide how predictable it is. The tone swings between goofy parody and “serious” thriller beats in a way that doesn’t really gel, so if you’re hoping for clever camp or genuinely sharp comedy, this will likely test your patience. That said, Dwayne Johnson’s charisma and the occasional ridiculous set piece can make it an easy, disposable watch if you’re fine with loud R-rated humor and not much else.