🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Michael Dowse
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 28min
- IMDb rating: 5.2/10 (17K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 21%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A cop and a foul-mouthed kid become unlikely partners to take down a drug ring after the kid tries to hire criminals to scare the cop away from dating his mom; hilarity ensues (or doesn’t, depending on your tolerance for juvenile swearing).
🍿 Coffee & Kareem: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: Kareem’s Disapproval
Officer James Coffee begins a relationship with Vanessa Manning, but her son, Kareem, strongly disapproves. Kareem, aspiring rapper, doesn’t like his mom dating a white cop, and plots to break them up.

The Setup: A Crime Gone Wrong
Kareem attempts to hire criminals to scare Coffee, but accidentally exposes a network of criminal activity, putting his family in danger. He and Coffee are now on the run, framed for crimes they didn’t commit. Detective Watts and Captain Hill are later revealed to be dirty cops.

Unlikely Partnership: Coffee and Kareem Team Up
To protect Vanessa and clear their names, Coffee and Kareem team up. Their partnership is fraught with conflict, but they learn to rely on each other to navigate the dangers ahead and try to find proof to exonerate themselves.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Coffee (Ed Helms): A well-meaning but often incompetent police officer who is dating Vanessa and trying to connect with her son Kareem.
- Vanessa Manning (Taraji P. Henson): Kareem’s strong-willed mother who is dating Coffee and wants him to bond with her son.
- Kareem (Terrence Little Gardenhigh): A foul-mouthed twelve-year-old aspiring rapper who initially dislikes Coffee and plots to break up his relationship with his mother.
- Detective Watts (Betty Gilpin): A corrupt detective who is the main antagonist, running a drug operation and framing Coffee for crimes.
- Orlando Johnson (RonReaco Lee): A local rapper and criminal who gets caught up in Watts’s scheme and becomes an uneasy ally to Coffee and Kareem.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Kareem: “I’m gonna call the cops… oh wait.” – Kareem says this sarcastically, emphasizing his distrust of the police and frustration with Coffee.
- Kareem: “You’re the worst cop ever.” – Kareem frequently berates Coffee, highlighting their mismatched partnership and Kareem’s initial disdain for him.
- Coffee: “Just try to be a little less stabby, alright?” – Coffee says this to Kareem, highlighting the absurdity of their situation and Kareem’s unpredictable behavior.
- Detective Watts: “Go home and work on your marriages!” – Watts yells this while evacuating patrons from a strip club, showcasing her abrasive personality and disregard for authority.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Coffee & Kareem Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie hoping for a fun, silly action comedy, but honestly, I was pretty disappointed. The kid’s constant swearing felt forced and not genuinely funny. It had a few chuckle-worthy moments, but overall, it just didn’t click for me. Taraji P. Henson and Ed Helms do their best, but the script really lets them down. I think this is one you can skip.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Ed Helms and Taraji P. Henson”
- “Viewers who enjoy over-the-top action comedies”
- “People looking for a silly and raunchy movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language throughout, especially from a child character”
- “Crude humor and sexual references”
- “Violence, including gunfights and explosions”
- “Some drug content”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Coffee & Kareem feels like a missed opportunity. Despite the talented cast, the humor falls flat and the plot is uninspired. The film relies too heavily on shock value and lacks genuine wit.
- IMDB: “The movie has its moments of over-the-top action and some funny scenes, but the excessive swearing from the child actor detracts from the overall experience. It’s a passable comedy, but nothing groundbreaking.
Audience Reactions
Betty Gilpin steals every scene she’s in as the aggressive Detective Watts.: Many agreed that the cast had great chemistry, but the script was poorly written.
Overall Consensus: Coffee & Kareem is a poorly-received action-comedy with a talented cast struggling to elevate a weak script and excessive reliance on juvenile humor.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The captain’s name, Walter Hill, is a reference to the director of the ’48 Hrs.’ films, which also feature a white cop and a black sidekick pairing.”
- “The film was primarily shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, showcasing locations that doubled for Detroit.”
🖥️ How to Watch Coffee & Kareem?
Coffee & Kareem is currently streaming on Netflix. As a Netflix original movie, it is exclusively available on the platform for subscribers. Unfortunately there are no rentals or purchase options listed at this time. Check back on streaming aggregator sites for potential future availability on other platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Coffee & Kareem, you might like these similar films:
- Ride Along (2014): A mismatched buddy cop comedy where one of the cops is trying to prove himself.
- Stuber (2019): An unlikely duo forced to work together in a high-stakes situation, blending action and comedy.
- Beverly Hills Cop (1984): Features a cop who bends the rules and finds himself in hilarious situations.
- The Heat (2013): Buddy cop comedy with action
🛒 Coffee & Kareem Related Products
- Ed Helms Autographed ‘Coffee & Kareem’ Photo: A rare, signed photograph of Ed Helms from ‘Coffee & Kareem.’ A unique addition to any fan’s collection, authenticated and ready to display.
- ‘Bad Mutha F*cka’ Wallet: Inspired by Kareem’s attitude, this wallet embodies the spirit of the movie’s humor and rebellious energy. It is a symbol of the movie.
- Taraji P. Henson Film Collection (DVD): A collection of Taraji P. Henson’s best movies. Offers a chance to appreciate her talent across various roles.
- Ed Helms Comedy Collection (Blu-Ray): A great compilation of Ed Helms’ films. Guaranteed to make you laugh. Perfect for any movie fan.
🎧 Soundtrack
Coffee & Kareem 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
Coffee & Kareem is rated MA for strong language and violence, making it unsuitable for children. The film features excessive profanity, especially from the young character, Kareem, as well as violent scenes and suggestive content.
Coffee & Kareem was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Michael Dowse directed Coffee & Kareem. He’s also known for directing other comedies like ‘Stuber’ and ‘Goon’.
🔥 Bonus Content
Freddie Highmore Tries His Best to Speak Arabic
Ever wonder what it’s like for Freddie Highmore to try speaking Arabic? This video is surprisingly charming and funny – you’ve gotta see him give it a shot!
✨ Rate
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