Jamie Demetriou Steals the Show in ‘Back in Action’!

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Caution for those who haven’t watched the recently released movie ‘Back in Action’. To enjoy it, you’ll need an active Netflix subscription.

For those who haven’t streamed the new Netflix release, ‘Back in Action’, beware of potential spoilers! A Netflix account is required to watch it.

Despite the numerous hurdles that postponed the release of “Back in Action” – from Jamie Foxx’s unforeseen hospitalization in April 2023 to Hollywood strikes and more – I, as a fan, was still thrilled at the prospect of watching Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, his co-star from “Any Given Sunday,” reunite on screen, especially since it marked Cameron’s comeback to acting following her retirement (apparently Netflix paid her handsomely for this return). However, after having viewed it myself, I must admit that the most impressive aspect of “Back in Action” isn’t either of its star-studded actors.

The main storyline of this action-comedy wasn’t always logical or interesting, which some critics criticized, but I believe the reason the film isn’t forgettable among the 2025 blockbusters is because it features BAFTA-winning comedian Jamie Demetriou. Demetriou has a unique ability to increase the humor and quirkiness of a project by about 20-30%, no matter where he’s placed in the cast list.

Jamie Demetriou Steals Every Back In Action Scene He’s In

From the start, Demetriou’s character Nigel, who aspires to be an MI6 agent, stands out as unusual, not just because he’s romantically involved with Glenn Close’s character Ginny, a woman four decades his senior, but also due to their odd relationship being referred to as her “special little project,” which carries an uncomfortable connotation. Despite the tension between Emily (played by Diaz) and her mother, Nigel is eager to win their approval.

Following the encounter with Emily and Matt, who caught his eye for their good looks, Nigel provides a humorous scene in the film when conversing with Alice (played by McKenna Roberts) and Leo (portrayed by Rylan Jackson).

Gosh, I adore children. It’s their pure innocence and boundless curiosity that really get to me. By the way, would it be alright if I were to call you Grandchild?

In the movie “Back in Action”, Nigel expresses that he doesn’t want Matt and Emily to perceive him as a father figure, but rather as a friend. However, some of Nigel’s lines in the film seem to be more humorous tropes than genuine dialogue. Yet, Demetriou skillfully portrays these lines in a way that fits perfectly with Nigel’s optimistic perspective on life.

Later on, it’s fortunate that Nigel and Ginny enter the fast-paced narrative, though they remain on the periphery initially. Interestingly, he doesn’t require verbal eloquence to captivate viewers, as demonstrated when both Ginny and Nigel have tape covering their mouths.

In a different wording, I’m not intending to undermine Glenn Close’s exceptional performance as Ginny; instead, I find Jamie Demetriou’s portrayal delightfully contrasting. While Glenn exudes a believable air of authority and self-assurance that Nigel yearns for, it is the humorous discrepancy between their levels of confidence that catches my attention.

Additionally, he becomes the Unofficial Hero of the Day by securing the ICS key and preventing a catastrophic flood. However, it was purely coincidental that Nigel’s angry strike at the laptop miraculously fixed everything – I wouldn’t attribute such luck to the actor himself as a deus ex machina.

Nigel And Ginny Should Get Their Own Back In Action Sequel

Despite finding Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz enjoyable in their on-screen appearances, I must admit that I felt underwhelmed by the unexpected twist in Back in Action, where Emily’s father is revealed to still be alive and involved in something suspicious at the last second. The prospect of Alice and Leo getting involved and joining the action sounds exciting, but it’s difficult not to question the judgment of the parents for allowing it.

Instead, I prefer the idea of Jamie Demetriou and Glenn Close collaborating once more for another movie, focusing this time on Ginny subjecting Nigel to MI6 training rigors. Regardless of the broader narrative they’d need to adhere to, witnessing a barrage of seasoned agents chastising Nigel’s clumsy optimism seems like an awkwardly entertaining spectacle.

It seems unlikely that director and co-writer Seth Gordon will take that specific path, as Diaz and Foxx are the primary stars in this project. However, it’s still nice to entertain the possibility. While we hold onto hope, fans can also explore some of Demetriou’s other outstanding performances listed below:

  • The Afterparty Season 1 – stream with an Apple TV+ subscription
  • Stath Lets Flats Seasons 1-3 – stream with a Peacock subscription
  • A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou special – stream with a Netflix subscription

Jamie Demetriou is set to appear in Jay Roach’s satire “The Roses” and also in Adam Sandler’s upcoming film “Jay Kelly,” directed by Noah Baumbach. This movie boasts a star-studded cast that includes George Clooney, Laura Dern, along with several other prominent actors. This provides an excellent opportunity for the British actor to showcase his talent.

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2025-01-20 00:08