--- title: "The Dink: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-dink/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-dink" critics_score: 59 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Dink (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 59 from 11 reviews: 4 positive, 5 mixed, 2 negative. The consensus on The Dink is mixed, with praise clustering around the cast rather than the sports-comedy plotting. Jake Johnson’s easy charm and his chemistry with Mary Steenburgen give the more favourable reviews their main reason to recommend it. The scenes between the leads, particularly their friendship, draw more enthusiasm than the pickleball competition. Even several less persuaded critics find warmth and charm in the ensemble, while supporters enjoy the modest stakes and familiar underdog story. The divide is over whether that familiarity remains entertaining. Recycled gags, predictable plotting and a shortage of energy recur among the reservations, with some critics also noting pacing problems. Reactions to the comedy vary sharply: The AV Club finds substantial laughs in its undemanding approach, while The Wrap finds the jokes fail to pay off and singles out Steenburgen for praise. Most reviews sit between those positions, describing something pleasant but limited. ## The AV Club — Matt Schimkowitz Rating B. 21 July 2026. The critic calls it a light pickleball comedy that serves big laughs with an effortless Jake Johnson anchoring an endearing underdog tale. The film efficiently delivers low-lift laughs and warm chemistry while keeping stakes small and family-friendly. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-dink-review) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2026. The critic describes the film as a sweet Apple TV comedy in which Jake Johnson discovers the joys of pickleball alongside Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris. It follows a classic underdog 'save the farm' structure with warmth and appeal. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-dink-movie-review-pickleball-apple-tv-1235206293/) ## RogerEbert.com — Brian Tallerico Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2026. The critic finds the film a likable underdog sports comedy buoyed by strong performances from Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen, despite familiar tropes and some pacing issues. The ensemble chemistry and fun tone make it work as an easy, entertaining watch. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-dink) ## Empire — Beth Webb Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 23 July 2026. A light, throwback sports comedy that works best in the hangout scenes between its leads but is held back by recycled gags and a thin central plot. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-dink/) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 3/5. 21 July 2026. The critic describes it as a cheery, undemanding and breezy comedy that is as predictable as it is pleasant, likening the gentle humor to a pickleball rally and noting its Stiller-produced echoes of Dodgeball. They single out the non-romantic friendship storyline between the leads and the standout comic turn from Aaron Chen as particularly enjoyable. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/the-dink-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2026. The critic finds the film a watchable but entirely vanilla and formulaic underdog sports comedy that spins a predictable tale of triumph. Johnson's appealing screen persona and the presence of a strong ensemble provide some charm, but the material lacks edge or memorability. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-dink-review-jake-johnson-pickleball-apple-tv-1236650681/) ## Variety — Guy Lodge Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 23 July 2026. The critic describes a mild, amiable sports comedy that coasts on Jake Johnson's charm and the chemistry with Mary Steenburgen but lacks big laughs or energy, feeling formulaic and sitcom-like overall. The central dynamic between the leads stands out as the most interesting element. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/the-dink-review-1236818906/) ## Evening Standard — Martin Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 49/100 (inferred from the text). 24 July 2026. A disappointingly gentle and soft-edged pickleball comedy that lacks the anarchic energy of classic sports films and fails to make the most of its promising premise and cast. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-dink-review-pickleball-movie-apple-tv-b1291157.html) ## The Times Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 22 July 2026. The film is a painfully formulaic farce about a washed-up tennis pro entering the world of pickleball. One well-judged intimate moment between the leads stands out amid the mostly dull and tedious sports-genre business. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/dink-review-film-josh-greenbaum-jake-johnson-ben-stiller-mary-steenburgen-ms8vbszcw) ## Collider — Nate Richard Rating 7/10. 21 July 2026. The film is a formulaic sports comedy that offers enough laughs and charm to entertain despite its predictability. The standout element is the ultra-charming cast led by Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen, whose chemistry and heart elevate the story. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-dink-review-apple-tv-jake-johnson/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2026. The critic finds the film boring and extremely unfunny, with joke ideas that never pay off. They single out Mary Steenburgen's performance for praise amid the lack of energy and commitment to its sports-comedy premise. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/the-dink-review-apple-tv-jake-johnson-ed-harris/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-dink.md