🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Ruben Fleischer
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 23min
- IMDb rating: 6.0/10 (108K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 44%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Pizza delivery guy has a bad day when he becomes a bank robber because some dudes need cash for… reasons.
🍿 30 Minutes or Less: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction of Nick and Dwayne’s Plight
Nick, a pizza delivery guy, is struggling with his job and his complicated friendship with Chet. Dwayne and Travis are low-lifes desperate for money to fulfill their ridiculous dreams. Their paths collide when Dwayne and Travis kidnap Nick, setting in motion a chaotic and absurd chain of events. The film quickly establishes the contrasting lives of these characters and the motivations that drive their actions.

The Bomb and the Bank Heist
Dwayne and Travis strap a bomb to Nick and force him to rob a bank to get the money they need to hire a hitman. Nick turns to Chet for help, and together they plan and execute the heist. The bank robbery is a hilarious and tense sequence as the duo tries to pull off the impossible while dealing with a dye pack explosion and panicking employees. Their ineptitude adds to the comedic tension.

Double-Crosses and Scrapyard Showdown
After the heist, Nick and Chet find themselves double-crossed, leading to a confrontation with the hitman, Chango, and a rescue mission involving Chet’s sister, Kate. The climax takes place at a scrapyard, where alliances shift and unexpected betrayals occur. A chaotic shootout and fiery explosions ensue as the characters vie for the money and survival. This section ramps up the action and comedic violence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Nick (Jesse Eisenberg): A slacker pizza delivery guy who is forced to rob a bank when strapped with a bomb by inept criminals.
- Dwayne (Danny McBride): A crude and immature man-child who masterminds a bank robbery scheme to kill his father and inherit his lottery winnings.
- Chet (Aziz Ansari): Nick’s loyal but reluctant best friend, a schoolteacher who is dragged into the heist to help save Nick’s life.
- Travis (Nick Swardson): Dwayne’s dim-witted and easily flustered best friend who reluctantly assists in the kidnapping and bank robbery plot.
- Kate (Dilshad Vadsaria): Chet’s twin sister and Nick’s love interest, who gets caught in the crossfire of the criminal scheme.
- Chango (Michael Peña): A ruthless and unpredictable hitman hired by Dwayne and Travis to kill Dwayne’s father, The Major.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Nick: “Now, give me the fucking code.” – Nick demands the bomb’s deactivation code from Dwayne after successfully robbing the bank.
- Dwayne: “Alright. 69-69-69.” – Dwayne reveals the ridiculously juvenile code to disarm the bomb.
- Nick: “You gotta be fucking kidding me.” – Nick’s reaction upon hearing the immature deactivation code for the bomb.
- Chet: “Sandra!” – Chet’s outburst after the dye pack explodes, ruining their stolen money.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $28,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $37,053,924
- Worldwide Gross: $40,662,632
💥 30 Minutes or Less Reviews
Personal Review
This movie is a chaotic, hilarious mess, and I loved it. The premise is ridiculous, but the cast sells it. The bank robbery scene is pure comedic gold, and even the more over-the-top moments had me laughing. Sure, it’s not high art, but it’s a fun ride from start to finish.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy buddy action movies”
- “Fans of Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, and Danny McBride”
- “Those who like over-the-top, absurd humor”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Crude humor”
- “Violence”
- “Drug use”
- “Suggestive content”
Professional Reviews
- Vital Thrills: “Fleischer and Diliberti pack in enough material to allow the story to flow briskly, while also never finding a moment to slow down. The one-liners come faster and furiously with every passing minute, and you may miss a lot from laughing so hard.
- N/A: “Too much emphasis is given to the antagonists. The plot is ill-informed relying on randomness and wiener jokes.
- Scott’s Double Feature: “Less seems like a half-a**ed debacle, where everyone including the Captain jumped ship when they felt the movie sinking. The writing is slovenly. There are cheap laughs aplenty, and even a few good belly-busters, but laughter is inevitable when you try and force a joke every single line of the movie.
Audience Reactions
The chemistry between Eisenberg and Ansari is fantastic and generates many laughs.: Most viewers enjoyed the film as a fun, albeit crude, action comedy with a quick pace.
Overall Consensus: A divisive but generally well-received action comedy that many viewers found hilarious, but some considered crude and distasteful.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The plot is similar to a real-life incident that happened in Erie, Pennsylvania in 2003, depicted in Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist (2018). The writers said they had “vague knowledge” of the case before writing.”
- “During the bank robbery scene, Chet mentions Netflix increasing its prices, which was a topical reference at the time of the film’s release.”
🖥️ How to Watch 30 Minutes or Less?
30 Minutes or Less is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) can also be purchased from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart, offering options for those who prefer owning the movie.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed 30 Minutes or Less, you might like these similar films:
- Pineapple Express (2008): Features a similar blend of stoner humor and action with unlikely protagonists caught up in a dangerous situation.
- Zombieland (2009): Also directed by Ruben Fleischer and starring Jesse Eisenberg, known for its comedic approach to a high-stakes, unusual scenario.
- Baby Driver (2017): A getaway driver coerced into working for a crime boss relies on a specific musical playlist to be the best in the game, matching the high octane energy.
- Observe and Report (2009): Another dark comedy featuring Danny McBride in a similar role as an inept and aggressive character.
🛒 30 Minutes or Less Related Products
- 30 Minutes or Less [Blu-ray]: Own the high-definition version of this action comedy with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
- Jesse Eisenberg Signed Movie Photo: A professionally printed autograph movie photo. Great for fans of this actor.
- Danny McBride – Eastbound & Down – Kenny Powers – Adult Costume – Standard: Become the character he portrays on other movies.
- Bank Robbery Escape – Mobile Game: Test your strategic skills in this thrilling and captivating mobile game.
🎧 Soundtrack
30 Minutes or Less features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While the film shares some similarities with the 2003 Brian Wells pizza bomber incident, the filmmakers have stated they only had vague knowledge of the case. The movie is a work of fiction and not a direct adaptation of those events.
30 Minutes or Less was primarily filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The city provided various locations that suited the film’s small-town setting and comedic action sequences.
The main actors in 30 Minutes or Less are Jesse Eisenberg as Nick, Aziz Ansari as Chet, Danny McBride as Dwayne, and Nick Swardson as Travis. Michael Peña and Fred Ward also play significant supporting roles.
🔥 Bonus Content
Aziz Ansari and Olivia Munn Vanity Fair Interview
Join Aziz Ansari and Olivia Munn for a fun and revealing chat about their roles in ’30 Minutes or Less.’ Hear their perspectives on the movie and get a glimpse of their on-screen chemistry.
30 Minutes Or Less movie review
Step into Jeremy Jahns’ review of ’30 Minutes or Less.’ His witty insights and thoughtful analysis will help you decide if this comedy is worth your time.
Most Badass Movie Moments Part 1
Get ready for an adrenaline rush! This montage features an epic scene from ’30 Minutes or Less,’ showcasing the film’s thrilling action and proving why it’s a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Painting the Guns – Aziz Ansari
Need a laugh? Check out this hilarious clip from ’30 Minutes or Less,’ starring the always-funny Aziz Ansari. It’s a quick and witty moment that will leave you wanting more.
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