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Witless Protection

Witless Protection

Protecting America's assets.

200897 minPG-13Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films
Director
Charles Robert Carner
Starring
Larry the Cable Guy, Ivana Milicevic, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Yaphet Kotto

When a small-town sheriff witnesses what he believes to be an attempted kidnapping, his effort to save the beautiful damsel in distress sets him down a wild path of comic mishap.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Witless Protection?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Witless Protection streaming on Lionsgate+ via Prime Video, Pluto TV (free), Tubi (free) and ViX via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Witless Protection?

Witless Protection earns 4 badges, led by Before they were famous and Box Office Flop.

  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Witless Protection worth watching?

Witless Protection's Midcredits score is the 4th percentile of all films, from 8.4K ratings across 6 sources. 19% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

4th percentile

Better received than 4% of films

3rd percentile among Comedy4th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)5th
Approval (how many liked it)7th

40 /100

5th percentile of all films

4th percentile among Comedy5th percentile among 2000s

Critics 17 · Audience 42

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Ratings scatter across the whole scale — one of the most divisive reactions in the catalog.

19% liked it

7th percentile of all films

6th percentile among Comedy7th percentile among 2000s
19% rated it 7–1081% rated it 1–6

Critics 4% · Audience 46%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 4 noms overall

72nd percentile

8.4K ratings across platforms

68th percentile among Comedy64th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$7.5M
Opening weekend$2.1M
Domestic gross$4.2M
Worldwide gross$4.2M

Returned 0.6× its budget — 61st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A lowbrow redneck comedy built entirely around Larry the Cable Guy's stage persona and crude slapstick.

Fans praised

  • genuinely funny sight gags and one-liners
  • endearing, good-natured redneck humor
  • surprisingly competent slapstick and heart

Detractors panned

  • witless, crude, and unfunny script
  • offensive racial and bathroom jokes
  • Larry the Cable Guy's inept acting

What stands out

ActingDivisive30

Larry the Cable Guy's limited range; competent support from Milicevic, Mantegna

Plot and storyDivisive25

thin, illogical witness-protection misunderstanding

CharactersDivisive25

one-note redneck deputy and stereotypical supporting roles

HumorDivisive20

broad redneck slapstick, fart jokes, sight gags, one-liners

DialogueDivisive15

malapropisms, racist and bathroom humor, no wit

Originality10

derivative of Larry's stage act and earlier films

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Witless Protection like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
TenseTriumphant
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its absurd premise with broad, lowbrow comedy, never taking itself seriously.
The rideThe film alternates between broad comedy and mild action-thriller beats, with the heaviest tension when the corrupt agents close in.
StructureConventional linear storytelling with a clear setup, pursuit, and resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayA light-hearted comedy that entertains without much depth, leaving the viewer in a cheerful mood.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestRescue
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% (this title) · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Rescue: Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).

10% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA small-town deputy mistakenly believes he witnesses a kidnapping and sets out to rescue the woman, leading to a chase to Chicago where corrupt FBI agents are actually the threat.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% (this title) · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 13% of filmsCorruption · 3% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of films
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film pits a small-town lawman's simple sense of right and wrong against institutional corruption, asking what true justice means when the system itself is compromised.
StanceThe film pokes fun at both the corrupt FBI and the naïve small-town deputy, but the satire is gentle and ultimately celebrates the underdog's moral simplicity.

The world

ContemporaryRuralIn transitUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · original score · Eric Allaman
Settinga small town and a road trip to a Chicago corruption trial
MusicLikely a light, comedic score that supports the broad tone.

Content guide

Is Witless Protection okay for kids?

PG-13

Witless Protection is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for crude and sex-related humor” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (56/100), sexual content at mild (33/100), language at moderate (58/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • Canada14A
  • Germany12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (23 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Witless Protection have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Witless Protection?

Cast

Larry the Cable Guy
as Deputy Larry Stalder
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Ivana Milicevic
as Madeleine
Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg
as Connie
Yaphet Kotto
as Ricardo Bodi
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Peter Stormare
as Arthur Grimsley
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Eric Roberts
as Wilford Duvall
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Joe Mantegna
as Dr. Rondog 'Doc' Savage
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Kurt Naebig
as Mark Bedell
Richard Bull
as Sheriff Smoot
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Will Clinger
as Bo
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Witless Protection?

Movies like Witless Protection include Fanboys (2009), Wild Hogs (2007) and Taxi 2 (2000). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films about law enforcement, and most are stories about buddy duos.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its story type: buddy comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Witless Protection?

2.5K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: road movie. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.