Netflix’s New Movie ‘Players’ Will Make You Fall in Love with Gina Rodriguez All Over Again

The story follows a group of friends who treat dating like a game. As in, they have a playbook of clever scenarios they act out to get other people’s attention at the bar. This includes everything from pretending to break up in front of a love interest to staging a phone call about getting stood up. The goal is to score a hookup and forget about it the next day. 

Well, everything changes when Mackenzie (Rodriguez), or “Mack,” meets a man who’s worth playing for keeps. Of course, there’s one problem. She doesn’t realize his potential until *after* she targets him and runs a play. 

Now Mack must find a clever way to escape one-night stand territory and become a suitable love interest. For someone who’s spent years playing the field, this is easier said than done.

The plot goes beyond your typical rom-com because it doesn’t solely focus on Mack’s relationship with a potential new suitor. It also explores her friendship with her best friend, Adam (Damon Wayans Jr.), and how it changes when someone new enters the picture. You’ll find yourself torn between rooting for the new relationship and wanting things to go back to the way they were. 

It can sometimes be difficult for a female lead to stand out in a male-dominated cast. (FYI, Mack is the only woman in the group of “players.”) But Rodriguez effortlessly steals the show without diminishing the importance of the supporting characters. 

This is largely due to Rodriguez’s character being extremely charming and likable, even though she’s an expert at playing the field. Her witty banter draws you in to the point where you can’t help but root for her.