🎬 Take the 10 (2017)
Starring: Josh Peck, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Danny Trejo
Directed by: Chester Tam
Genre: Action-Comedy, Road Trip, Crime
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
Take the 10 (2017) is a wild, chaotic, and refreshingly offbeat ride through one very bad day in Southern California — a blend of stoner comedy, crime caper, and coming-of-age misadventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s exactly why it works.
The story follows Chris (Josh Peck) and Chester (Tony Revolori), two underpaid, overworked convenience store clerks with dreams of escaping their dead-end jobs and making it to a hip-hop concert at the legendary “10 Arena.” But when a petty hustle goes sideways, they’re swept into a whirlwind of drug deals, mistaken identities, and a hilariously unhinged car chase involving a maniacal thug played by none other than Danny Trejo.
Director Chester Tam, in his directorial debut, infuses the film with a kinetic energy and a surprising amount of heart. While the comedy leans absurd — complete with slapstick fistfights, freak-outs, and an unforgettable run-in at a gas station — there’s a deeper undercurrent about friendship, loyalty, and the way dreams can derail in the most unpredictable ways.
Josh Peck brings his usual charm and manic timing, while Tony Revolori (fresh off The Grand Budapest Hotel) delivers dry wit and deadpan brilliance as the reluctant straight man of the duo. Their chemistry is solid, and it’s what keeps the film moving through its more outrageous twists.
Kiersey Clemons makes a standout appearance as Brooke, a no-nonsense barista with zero patience for the boys’ nonsense, and Danny Trejo absolutely steals every scene he’s in, playing a drug dealer with unexpected life advice and a terrifying smile.
At just over 80 minutes, Take the 10 doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s fast, funny, and surprisingly self-aware. The soundtrack is a pulse of hip-hop beats and lo-fi indie tracks, and the LA backdrop — from strip malls to freeways — adds to the film’s grungy, lived-in vibe.
Final Verdict:
Take the 10 is a quirky, energetic road-trip comedy with a lot of heart and just the right dose of chaos. It’s not here to change cinema — it’s here to entertain, and in that, it definitely succeeds. A hidden gem for fans of oddball buddy comedies and one-crazy-day adventures.
