Dave Bautista Goes Back to Rome for a Sequel: My Spy: The Eternal City Review

This my spy: the eternal city review starts with a simple question: can a gentle action comedy survive a change of scenery? Dave Bautista returns as CIA agent JJ, and this time the setup moves from suburbia to the streets of Rome. The result is light, easygoing fun that never aims much higher than a pleasant evening.

My Spy: The Eternal City Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The plot picks up with JJ, a veteran CIA agent, and Sophie, the sharp young protégé who once taught him a few things about life. A high school choir trip to Italy puts Sophie in the middle of a developing danger. Meanwhile, a nuclear plot targeting the Vatican is taking shape, and JJ cannot sit it out.

That is the whole setup, and it is a good one for a family-friendly caper. The mix of teenage travel chaos and spy business gives the film its engine. Director Peter Segal, who also shares a writing credit with Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber, keeps the first act brisk and clear.

It works as a stand-alone watch, though fans of the first film will get more from the relationships. If you enjoy this sort of thing, our Action movie reviews page has more picks.

What Works in My Spy: The Eternal City

The biggest asset is the central pairing. Bautista plays a huge, tough agent with a soft centre, and the film keeps finding laughs in that contrast. His deadpan timing is the glue that holds the comedy together.

• The Rome setting: The city gives the action a postcard backdrop, and the film uses it for chases and set pieces.

• Tone: It stays warm and silly, and it never turns mean-spirited.

• Pacing: At 113 minutes, it moves along without long stretches of dead air.

The film also understands its audience. It is a PG-13 action comedy with enough peril to keep things lively and enough jokes to keep the mood light. The stakes are huge on paper, yet the film plays them for fun.

My Spy: The Eternal City Cast and Performances

The my spy: the eternal city cast is built around returning faces. Dave Bautista plays J.J. and carries the film with easy charm. Chloe Coleman returns as Sophie Newton, and she is quick, confident and a good match for his stoic style.

Kristen Schaal appears as Bobbi, and Ken Jeong plays David Kim. Anna Faris is Nancy, and Flula Borg plays Crane. The supporting group brings the kind of comic energy this genre needs, even when the material is thin.

The Bautista and Coleman Dynamic

Their scenes are where the film feels most alive. Bautista plays the straight man to Coleman's bright, bossy teenager, and the exchanges feel natural. When the script gives them room, the sequel feels like a true follow-up and not a retread.

Where My Spy: The Eternal City Stumbles

The story is the weak spot. A nuclear threat against the Vatican sounds dramatic, but the plot follows a familiar route and rarely surprises. Villains are broad, and the danger never feels truly dangerous.

Some jokes also land flat, and a few supporting players get little to do. The action is serviceable rather than thrilling. Peter Segal handles it competently, but nothing here will stick in your memory like a great chase or fight.

The comedy and spy elements also do not always blend smoothly. Some scenes lean too hard on sitcom beats, which softens the tension. If you want a sharper spy thriller, this is not it. For a funnier take on the genre, browse our Comedy movie reviews.

Is My Spy: The Eternal City Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a breezy, low-pressure action comedy and you liked the first film. The my spy: the eternal city plot is predictable, but the leads are likable and the Roman setting adds some fresh energy. Audiences have been kind too: TMDB viewers give it 6.5 out of 10 across 503 votes.

It is not a must-see, and it will not change the genre. But it is an easy pick for a family movie night or a relaxed weekend. The film was released on 18 July 2024, and you can read more background on the My Spy: The Eternal City page on IMDb.

Who Will Enjoy My Spy: The Eternal City

• Fans of the first My Spy film who want to see Bautista and Coleman back together.

• Families and teens looking for a PG-13 action comedy with more laughs than violence.

• Viewers who like light spy adventures set in glamorous European locations, like those in our Adventure movie reviews.