Michael Bay is known for explosions, slow-motion shots, and larger-than-life blockbusters, but in 2013, he took a sharp detour into true-crime territory with Pain & Gain. The film, which stars Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie, is now set to leave Peacock on July 1, 2026. If you haven't seen it yet, now's your chance to catch one of Bay's most unconventional projects.
Based on a series of articles from the Miami Times, Pain & Gain tells the bizarre true story of a group of bodybuilders who get tangled up in a kidnapping and extortion scheme. It's a far cry from the director's usual fare, and it shows a different side of Bay—one that's unhinged, darkly comedic, and surprisingly satirical. The film was made on a modest budget of $25 million, a fraction of what Bay was used to during his Transformers reign, which had already grossed over $2.5 billion worldwide by that point.
Despite the star power and Bay's name, Pain & Gain received mixed reviews and currently holds a 49% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus reads: "It may be his most thought-provoking film to date, but Michael Bay's Pain & Gain ultimately loses its satirical edge in a stylized flurry of violent spectacle." Commercially, it earned $86 million worldwide—respectable for its budget, but a disappointment compared to Bay's usual box-office dominance.
The film's writing team, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, would later go on to write Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, adding an interesting footnote to the project. Meanwhile, Bay continued to experiment with smaller-scale films after this, including 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) and Ambulance (2022), the latter of which earned the best reviews of this loose trilogy of mid-budget efforts.
If you're a fan of Bay's work or just curious about his foray into true crime, Pain & Gain is a wild ride that's worth a watch. It's also a fascinating time capsule of early-2010s filmmaking, with performances that range from over-the-top to surprisingly nuanced. For those who missed it in theaters, streaming on Peacock is your last chance before it disappears.
In related news, Peacock's June 2026 lineup includes some other surprises, and if you're looking for more true-crime thrills, BritBox's 'Grace' offers a masterful adaptation. For those who want to revisit Bay's filmography, his worst movie is currently a streaming hit on MGM+, proving that even his missteps find an audience.
Don't wait too long—Pain & Gain leaves Peacock on July 1, 2026. Mark your calendars and prepare for a film that's as divisive as it is unforgettable.
