Ben Stiller is set to premiere his latest movie on Apple TV this month, with the sports comedy having just received its initial rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
As a seasoned actor and producer, Stiller has collaborated extensively with Apple TV, contributing to series such as High Desert, and upcoming projects including Protective Custody and The Off Weeks, as well as the documentary Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost. Among these, his most notable work with the platform includes Severance, a science fiction thriller where he serves as an executive producer and director.
Stiller continues his relationship with Apple TV through his new sports comedy, The Dink, which has launched on Rotten Tomatoes with a critic score of 76%. The film has garnered praise for its humor, engaging nature, and bold irreverence, alongside a strong ensemble cast and well-crafted characters. Despite these accolades, some reviewers have criticized the film for its non-essential scenes and predictability, with one critic suggesting the film is better suited as ambient noise during meal prep.
In The Dink, Stiller works alongside John Lesher, Rob Paris, Mike Witherill, and Jake Johnson in executive production roles, with Josh Greenbaum directing from a screenplay written by Sean Clements.
The film features a robust cast including Stiller and Johnson, as well as Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Chloe Fineman — recently noted for her departure from Saturday Night Live after seven seasons —, Patton Oswalt, Chris Parnell, Martin Kove, Aaron Chen, Christine Taylor, Lynne Marie Stewart, Cayden Romero, John McEnroe, and Andy Roddick.
The film centers on Jake Johnson’s character, Dusty Boyd, a former tennis professional who switches to playing pickleball in an attempt to rescue a struggling club. Johnson, widely recognized for his role as Nick Miller in New Girl — a performance that earned him a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy Series — also boasts roles in Stumptown, Lost Ollie, Minx, and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. His filmography includes appearances in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, 21 Jump Street, Jurassic World, and The Mummy (2017), and he voices Peter B. Parker in the Spider-Verse trilogy, with the final chapter expected in June 2027.
Beyond The Dink, Stiller is preparing for the third season of Severance, a series that has achieved numerous Emmy awards and nominations since its 2022 premiere. Stiller will also return as Greg Focker in Focker-in-Law, the fourth installment of the Meet the Parents saga, featuring Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, and Ariana Grande.
The Dink is scheduled for release on Apple TV on Friday, July 24.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
