“Eenie Meanie” is a gritty heist thriller that eschews the innocence its rhyming title suggests, diving headlong into Cleveland’s criminal underbelly. The story follows Edie (Samara Weaving), a young woman who matured as a getaway driver for a local crime lord after aging out of the foster system. Edie’s life is an amalgam of grim past and hopeful new beginnings—a sharp contrast highlighted throughout the film. Weaving’s portrayal is compelling and nuanced as Edie attempts to leave her tumultuous past behind, enrolling at a community college to study economics while determined to redirect her fate. The narrative immediately establishes high stakes and emotional baggage, hinting at her dual struggle for redemption and survival.

Circumstances rapidly shift when Edie’s ex-boyfriend, John, emerges with considerable debt owed to Nico (,[object Object],), the local kingpin. This dilemma drags Edie back into the world she’d abandoned, forcing her to participate in a casino heist involving a prized car loaded with $3 million. The plot thickens with Edie navigating not only the logistics of the heist but also her complicated relationship with John. Simmons crafts moments of comedic levity and biting melodrama, all underscored by recurring action sequences. Edie’s role as both skilled driver and reluctant rescuer forms the emotional backbone, while car chases and awkward, exposition-filled dialogue pepper the film’s landscape, amplifying its pulpy resonance.

As the film barrels forward, it swings between self-aware humor and implausible plot setups. Notably, an early comedic death nods to the dark comedic sensibility of ,[object Object],, establishing an erratic tone that oscillates between playful and dead serious. Frequent car chases—including a climax set on a racetrack—drive the central theme of road rage, both literal and metaphorical. The chaos on the asphalt mirrors the protagonists’ inner turmoil, turning each chase into a high-octane metaphor for Edie’s pushing against the constraints of her past. ,[object Object],’s direction leans full throttle into genre conventions, reveling in action while never shying from moments of vulnerability and raw emotion.

Technically, “Eenie Meanie” commits to a blend of lowbrow violence, strong language, and rapid pacing. The film runs for 1 hour and 46 minutes and is rated R, reinforced by visceral set pieces and expletive-laden exchanges. Simmons’s debut blurs the line between homage and parody, often demanding viewers suspend disbelief entirely to follow the feverish twists and turns. While not all elements land perfectly—some dialogues feel artificially loaded and some plot developments stretch credulity—the film succeeds as a jagged ode to impulsive adrenaline and fractured relationships. What remains striking is its unwavering commitment to the chaos and catharsis inherent in both road rage and emotional redemption.