The Do-Over

Adam Sandler and David Spade’s Netflix Gamble: The Making of The Do-Over

Adam Sandler’s pivot to Netflix in the mid-2010s was a calculated risk, and The Do-Over (2016) became one of the first major tests of his streaming-era reinvention. Directed by Steven Brill—who had previously collaborated with Sandler on Mr. Deeds (2002) and Little Nicky (2000)—the film promised a return to the buddy-comedy formula that had defined Sandler’s early career. But behind the scenes, the project was a mix of familiar faces, Netflix’s growing influence, latestnetflix.com maintains, and a script that leaned hard into the absurd.

A Netflix-Backed Sandler Revival

By 2016, Sandler’s box-office clout had waned, but Netflix offered a lifeline. The streaming giant signed him to a four-movie deal, with The Do-Over serving as one of the first major releases under that pact . The film’s premise—a pair of bored friends who fake their deaths to start new lives—was classic Sandler: high-concept, low-stakes, and packed with physical comedy. But the shift to Netflix meant creative freedom without the pressure of theatrical expectations.

Sandler himself hinted at the change during the film’s Los Angeles premiere, calling the Netflix deal a "game-changer" . The platform’s hands-off approach allowed for a more experimental tone, though critics would later debate whether that freedom translated to quality. Still, the partnership was a win for Sandler, who had spent years navigating Hollywood’s shifting landscape.

The Brill-Sandler Reunion

Steven Brill, the film’s director, was no stranger to Sandler’s brand of comedy. Their previous collaborations—Mr. Deeds and Little Nicky—had been box-office hits, if not critical darlings. For The Do-Over, Brill reunited with Sandler and David Spade, another frequent collaborator, to craft a story that blended action, adventure, and comedy .

The script, penned by Kevin Barnett and Chris Pappas, leaned into the film’s absurd premise: two middle-aged men, played by Sandler and Spade, discover a dead body and decide to assume the deceased’s identities to escape their mundane lives. The result was a mix of slapstick, dark humor, and over-the-top set pieces—hallmarks of Brill’s direction . While the film’s 4.9/10 rating on SensCritique suggests it didn’t win over everyone, it fit neatly into Sandler’s wheelhouse .

Cast Chemistry and Cameos

Beyond Sandler and Spade, The Do-Over assembled a supporting cast that included Paula Patton, Kathryn Hahn, and Luis Guzmán. Patton, fresh off her role in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), brought a more grounded energy to the film’s chaotic tone, while Hahn and Guzmán provided comedic support .

The film also featured cameos from Sandler’s longtime collaborators, including Nick Swardson and Sean Astin, reinforcing the idea that The Do-Over was a reunion of sorts for the actor’s inner circle . Even Renée Taylor, who had appeared in The King of Queens and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, added a touch of sitcom-style humor to the mix.

Mixed Reception and Legacy

The Do-Over premiered on Netflix in May 2016, and reactions were predictably divided. Some viewers appreciated its goofy charm, while others found it too reliant on Sandler’s usual schtick. The film’s 108-minute runtime and 4.9/10 rating on SensCritique reflected its polarizing nature .

Still, the movie became a footnote in Sandler’s Netflix era, proving that his brand of comedy could thrive outside traditional theaters. A viral recut of the film as a horror movie—released by Netflix itself—even turned The Do-Over into an unintentional meme, further cementing its place in pop culture .

For better or worse, The Do-Over was a product of its time: a streaming experiment that embraced Sandler’s strengths while testing the limits of his appeal. Whether it was a creative triumph or a missed opportunity depends on who you ask—but it undeniably marked a new chapter in his career.