Movie 'The Wrecking Crew': Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa Uncover a Conspiracy in Hawaii

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The long-awaited buddy cop action comedy movie, “The Wrecking Crew,” finally debuts globally on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, on Prime Video.

The film reunites action stars Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista in the lead roles, promising a spectacle full of explosions and their signature humor.

Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto and written by Jonathan Tropper, “The Wrecking Crew” tells the story of two estranged half-brothers, Jonny (Jason Momoa) and James (Dave Bautista), who are reunited by the mysterious death of their father in Hawaii.

They must work together to uncover the truth behind the incident, which leads them into a dangerous conspiracy.

The film premiered in New York on January 15, 2026, sparking fan enthusiasm for the collaboration between the two actors.

The idea for "The Wrecking Crew" apparently originated from a tweet posted by Dave Bautista in August 2021.

In the tweet, Bautista openly expressed his desire to make a "Lethal Weapon"-style buddy cop film with Jason Momoa.

He even named director David Leitch as his dream project.

The tweet received an overwhelming response from the public, demonstrating the strong interest in a potential collaboration between Bautista and Momoa.

The film centers on Jonny (Jason Momoa) and James (Dave Bautista), two long-estranged stepbrothers.

They are forced to reunite after their father mysteriously dies in Hawaii.

The search for the truth behind their father's murder forms the core of the story.On their journey to uncover the truth, they uncover a complex conspiracy that could destroy their family.

James, played by Dave Bautista, is depicted as a disciplined former Navy SEAL and drill instructor, a family man living near Honolulu.

Meanwhile, Jonny, played by Jason Momoa, is James's free-spirited half-brother, an impetuous police officer from an Oklahoma reservation with a penchant for drinking.

In addition to Jason Momoa as Jonny and Dave Bautista as James, "The Wrecking Crew" also features a star-studded cast, including Claes Bang, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Frankie Adams, Miyavi, Stephen Root, and Morena Baccarin as Valentina.

Lydia Peckham, Roimata Fox as Leila (James's wife), Branscombe Richmond, and Brian Keaulana as Walter Hale (Jonny and James's father) complete the cast.

The film also holds special significance as it marks the final acting role for David Hekili Kenui Bell, who passed away on June 12, 2025.

Filming in Hawaii lasted 12 days, while 43 days were spent in New Zealand for various scenes.

Auckland, New Zealand, was even used to replace some Hawaiian cities.

Some iconic scenes in Hawaii include the murder in Chinatown (represented as Kalihi in the film), the chase scene in H3, and the motorcycle ride along the east coast of Oʻahu.

"The Wrecking Crew" has generally been described as an entertaining action film, with a strong focus on the strong chemistry between Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa.

Digital Spy called the film "cinematic comfort food" and a "guilty pleasure" with "spectacular" action sequences.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that films like this rely heavily on the chemistry between the leads, and Bautista and Momoa have plenty of it.

IGN described the film as a "half-successful" '80s/'90s-style throwback adventure, but noted that Jason Momoa shines brighter as the "chaotic" stepsister than Dave Bautista, who plays the more reserved "straight man."

Screen Rant noted that the combination of director Soto's slick direction and the good chemistry between Bautista and Momoa keeps the film mostly engaging.

Mashable praised the film as satisfying escapist entertainment, packed with action, explosions, jokes, and star power.

The film holds an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 17 reviews, indicating a positive reception from critics.