Baywatch 2 – The Beach is Back, But Is the Sequel Worth a Dip?

After the sun-drenched silliness of Baywatch (2017), which reimagined the classic ’90s TV series as a raunchy action-comedy starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, Baywatch 2 arrives with a bigger budget, more bikinis, and even louder explosions. But does the sequel make a splash—or is it just treading water?

Released in summer 2025, Baywatch 2 leans into everything fans either loved or loathed about the original: outrageous stunts, self-aware humor, beachside brawls, and a plot that feels more Fast & Furious than lifeguard drama. Directed by returning helmer Seth Gordon and joined by new cast additions like Sydney Sweeney and Simu Liu, the sequel brings more abs, more laughs, and surprisingly, a hint of global espionage.

In Baywatch 2, the team has gone international. When a mysterious luxury cruise ship explodes off the coast of Miami, Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson) is called back from "beach retirement" to investigate. Joined by his former partner Matt Brody (Zac Efron), now trying to rebuild his image after a failed reality show stint, the Baywatch team soon uncovers a smuggling ring involving offshore billionaires, underwater tech, and stolen U.S. Navy prototypes.

Yes—Baywatch 2 goes full action-comedy, with jet ski chases, underwater combat, and a scene where Zac Efron skydives onto a yacht in a red Speedo. It’s ridiculous, and it knows it.

Returning favorites like CJ (Kelly Rohrbach) and Stephanie (Ilfenesh Hadera) are given more to do this time around, especially in the climactic infiltration of a floating nightclub run by the film’s villain—a charming arms dealer played by Simu Liu with tongue firmly in cheek.

Sydney Sweeney plays a tough-as-nails Coast Guard officer reluctantly assigned to work with Baywatch, delivering sass, sarcasm, and the occasional high kick in platform sandals.

Once again, the strongest asset here is the chemistry between Johnson and Efron. Their odd-couple dynamic—Mitch’s no-nonsense leadership clashing with Brody’s frat-boy flair—remains the comic core. Efron leans further into self-parody, while Johnson plays the straight man with his usual charisma and eyebrow raises.

The film also benefits from sharper editing, more coherent action, and a tighter script than its predecessor. The jokes hit more often than they miss, and the film finds a better balance between slapstick and sincerity. A surprising subplot involving CJ considering a career beyond Baywatch brings a brief but welcome emotional beat.

The soundtrack is as sunny as ever, packed with beach bangers, retro remixes, and a hilariously awkward slow-motion sequence set to a boyband ballad.

Still, Baywatch 2 doesn’t fully escape the problems of the first film. The plot is bloated, with some sequences feeling more obligatory than essential. The film wants to be a spy spoof and a beach comedy and an ensemble drama, which leads to tonal whiplash in some scenes.

Despite efforts to give more screen time to female characters, much of their material still leans heavily on sex appeal rather than character development. There’s also a bizarre mid-film cameo from Pamela Anderson that feels both forced and confusingly meta.

Undoubtedly. The film ends with a mid-credits tease: a mysterious package arrives from the "Bali Watch" team—an international branch of lifeguards—hinting at a globe-trotting sequel, possibly with even more outrageous stunts and guest stars. Think Baywatch meets Mission: Impossible in Southeast Asia.

Zac Efron, now seemingly more committed to this franchise than ever, has hinted at wanting to direct the third entry himself. Dwayne Johnson, meanwhile, has left the door open depending on fan reception.

Baywatch 2 won’t convert skeptics, but for fans of the first film—or anyone who enjoys sun, sand, and slow-motion absurdity—it’s a fun, fast-paced ride. It doesn’t take itself seriously for even a second, and that’s exactly the point.