🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Greg Mottola
- Genre: Action, Comedy
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 45min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (121k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A boring suburban couple’s mid-life crisis gets hijacked when their new neighbors turn out to be impossibly attractive spies, leading to awkward double dates and even more awkward gunfights.
🍿 Keeping Up with the Joneses: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Gaffneys Meet the Joneses
Jeff and Karen Gaffney are a typical suburban couple living in a quiet cul-de-sac. Their mundane life takes an unexpected turn when a new couple, Tim and Natalie Jones, moves in next door. The Joneses are sophisticated, attractive, and seemingly perfect, immediately raising Karen’s suspicions.

Suspicion and Discovery
Karen’s curiosity gets the better of her, leading her to investigate the Joneses. She discovers their lives are far from ordinary – they are actually government spies. This revelation throws the Gaffneys into a world of international espionage and danger, turning their quiet suburban existence upside down. Their involvement escalates as they become entangled in the Joneses’ mission.

The Spy Game
As the Gaffneys navigate this new reality, they find themselves assisting the Joneses in uncovering a conspiracy involving stolen microchips. They learn to adapt and use their own skills, with Jeff’s HR background surprisingly helpful in identifying potential suspects. The once ordinary couple begins to embrace the excitement and danger of their newfound roles.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jeff Gaffney (Zach Galifianakis): An affable but somewhat naive HR employee who finds himself caught up in an espionage plot.
- Karen Gaffney (Isla Fisher): A curious and suspicious suburban housewife who uncovers the truth about her new neighbors.
- Tim Jones (Jon Hamm): A suave and skilled secret agent posing as a travel writer to investigate a security breach.
- Natalie Jones (Gal Gadot): A deadly and alluring secret agent who is Tim’s wife and partner.
- Scorpion (Patton Oswalt): The main antagonist, an arms dealer seeking to acquire stolen microchips.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Karen: “Something’s off about them, Jeff. I can feel it.” – Karen expresses her initial suspicions about the Joneses to Jeff, setting the stage for their investigation.
- Jeff: “I just want a friend who isn’t trying to sell me something, or get me to join their pyramid scheme.” – Jeff explains his desire for a genuine friendship, which leads him to bond with Tim Jones despite Karen’s concerns.
- Natalie: “Suburbia. It dulls the senses.” – Natalie comments to Tim about the deceptive nature of suburban life, hinting at her true profession.
- Tim: “We’re not who you think we are.” – Tim reveals the truth about their identities as spies to the Gaffneys.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $14,904,426
- Worldwide Gross: $29,918,745
💥 Keeping Up with the Joneses Reviews
Personal Review
I found “Keeping Up with the Joneses” to be a fun, lighthearted spy comedy. The casting was excellent, with Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher bringing their comedic charm, and Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot adding the cool spy factor. The scene where Karen follows Natalie to the Bloomingdales and winds up in the lingerie section was particularly hilarious. Overall, a great movie to unwind with on a relaxing evening!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of spy comedies”
- “Viewers looking for lighthearted entertainment”
- “Fans of Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm, or Gal Gadot”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Action violence”
- “Some language”
- “Suggestive humor”
Professional Reviews
- Rama’s Screen: “Keeping Up With The Joneses is as dull and unexciting as the Gaffneys are. Every punch line in this film goes way past your head because it either tries too hard or doesn’t even try at all.
- N/A: “A fun suburbanite/spies mashup. The film has fun with the characters, their reactions to their changing situations, with everyone trying to keep their priorities straight. The conventions of spy movies are entertainingly employed and spoofed. Overall, a good mix of humor and action, and also has a sense of respect for all the characters.
- N/A: “Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Isla Fisher and Gal Gadot are the true strengths. Zach is happily stupid & raises some good laughs, Fisher is fabulous, Hamm is anything but a ham & Gadot is the hottest thing you’ll see on the big screen in a long time.
Audience Reactions
The chemistry between the four leads made the movie enjoyable, despite its predictable plot.: Most viewers agreed that the cast had great chemistry and comedic timing.
Gal Gadot’s performance and beauty were a major highlight for many viewers.: Gal Gadot was a standout, her scenes were often the most memorable and funny.
Overall Consensus: A lighthearted and funny spy comedy with great chemistry between the cast, though some found the plot predictable and the humor uneven.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was initially conceived as a sequel to ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2005), but the idea was scrapped when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie declined the offer.”
- “Jon Hamm performed many of his own stunts, particularly during the car chase sequences.”
- “Gal Gadot’s role as Natalie Jones came before her breakthrough as Wonder Woman, showcasing her action and comedic skills to a wider audience.”
🖥️ How to Watch Keeping Up with the Joneses?
Keeping Up with the Joneses is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. You may also find it streaming on services that offer rotating movie selections, so keep an eye on those as well.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Keeping Up with the Joneses, you might like these similar films:
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005): A married couple leading seemingly normal lives discovers they are both secret agents.
- Date Night (2010): A bored suburban couple find excitement and danger when they are mistaken for criminals.
- This Means War (2012): Two CIA agents who are best friends inadvertently fall in love with the same woman, and wage an all-out war against each other to win her affection.
- True Lies (1994): An action-comedy where a man leading a double life as a spy tries to keep it secret from his wife, who then gets involved in his missions.
🛒 Keeping Up with the Joneses Related Products
- Wonder Woman (Blu-ray): Relive Gal Gadot’s iconic performance in Wonder Woman. A must-have for fans captivated by her performance in Keeping Up with the Joneses.
- Mad Men: The Complete Collection: Experience Jon Hamm as Don Draper in this critically acclaimed series. A great addition to the collection of a true fan.
- Spy Gear: Night Vision Goggles: Unleash your inner spy with these night vision goggles. Get the authentic spy experience with adjustable focus and long range.
- Nerf Super Soaker Piranha: Gear up for water battles just like the Gaffneys in the movie. A fun way to recreate the action scenes with family and friends.
🎧 Soundtrack
Keeping Up with the Joneses 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
Principal photography took place primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, utilizing locations such as the Hyatt Regency Atlanta for some scenes. The film aimed to create a quintessential suburban backdrop, enhancing the contrast with the spies’ extraordinary lives.
No, Keeping Up with the Joneses is not a sequel to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, although it shares thematic similarities. Originally, it was envisioned as a sequel, but the idea was scrapped. It stands as an independent story with its own characters and plot.
The main antagonist is an international arms dealer known as “The Scorpion,” who is revealed to be Bruce Springstine (played by Patton Oswalt), a former employee from Jeff’s company. He seeks to acquire stolen microchips that could compromise U.S. missile defense systems.
🔥 Bonus Content
Isla Fisher on Making Out with Zach Galifianakis & Gal Gadot
Ever wonder what it’s like to kiss Gal Gadot or Zach Galifianakis? Isla Fisher spills the tea on her very different kissing experiences while filming ‘Keeping Up with the Joneses’! Honestly, I’m a little jealous.
Jon Hamm’s Bulge Captures Our Attention On ‘Keeping Up with the Joneses’ Set
Check out Jon Hamm rocking some seriously tight pants on the set of ‘Keeping Up with the Joneses’! It’s a fun, candid look at what goes on when the cameras aren’t rolling… and maybe a little something *extra* for some viewers. 😉
Keeping Up With The Joneses: Behind the Scenes Movie Broll – Gal Gadot | ScreenSlam
Want a sneak peek at how ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’ was made? This behind-the-scenes footage focuses on Gal Gadot and gives you a real feel for the set! If you like her acting, you will love this b-roll.
Gal Gadot is a Terrible Liar – Exclusive ‘Keeping Up with the Joneses’ Interview (2016)
Find out what it’s like to play ‘Two Truths and a Lie’ with Gal Gadot! The cast interview is so much fun, especially when they discover Gadot can’t lie to save her life, seriously!
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