Mark Wahlberg and The Rock's Controversial Crime Thriller Leaving Free Streaming

Pain & Gain, the 2013 true crime comedy directed by Michael Bay, is set to depart Pluto TV at the end of the month.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starred in the 2013 crime comedy film Pain & Gain, which was based on a series of Miami New Times articles from 1999 about the crimes of the Sun Gym gang. The film, directed by Michael Bay, followed Daniel Lugo (Wahlberg) and his accomplices as they attempted to extort wealth from a prominent businessman. While the film earned praise for its bold approach, it also faced criticism for historical inaccuracies and its lighter portrayal of the criminals. Pain & Gain is currently available to watch for free on Pluto TV, but it's set to leave the platform at the end of the month.

Why it matters

Pain & Gain's departure from free streaming on Pluto TV marks the end of an era for the controversial true crime thriller. The film's blend of dark comedy and real-life events sparked debate over its handling of the subject matter, with some praising its audacity and others criticizing its perceived insensitivity. As audiences lose the opportunity to easily access the film, it raises questions about the lasting impact of such polarizing works and how they are remembered.

The details

Directed by Michael Bay, Pain & Gain paired Wahlberg with Dwayne Johnson and Anthony Mackie to tell the story of the Sun Gym gang's crimes. The film, based on a series of Miami New Times articles, follows Daniel Lugo (Wahlberg) and his accomplices as they attempt to extort wealth from a prominent businessman, played by Tony Shalhoub. Bay and writers Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus leaned into the bizarre nature of the gang's scheme, turning it into a crime comedy that earned praise for its boldness but also sparked criticism for its historical inaccuracies and lighter portrayal of the criminals.

  • Pain & Gain is set to leave Pluto TV at the end of February 2026.

The players

Mark Wahlberg

An American actor, producer, and former rapper who has found consistent success in adapting true stories, including the docuseries Cocaine Quarterback: Signal Caller for the Cartel and the film The Fighter.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

An American actor, producer, and former professional wrestler who starred alongside Wahlberg in Pain & Gain.

Michael Bay

An American film director and producer who directed Pain & Gain.

Tony Shalhoub

An American actor who played the prominent businessman targeted by the Sun Gym gang in Pain & Gain.

Stephen McFeely

An American screenwriter who co-wrote the screenplay for Pain & Gain.

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What they’re saying

“Pain & Gain is an oddly earnest personal statement about being guilty as charged for simply playing into a pre-existing entitlement. It is a loud, obvious, childish, turgid, and grandiose statement wrapped in an insane farce, but it's somehow endearing nonetheless.”

— Matt Goldberg, Collider Reviewer (Collider)

What’s next

Wahlberg has an upcoming film, Weekend Warriors, in the works for Apple TV, which will see him playing a dad helping his autistic son choose an NBA team to support.

The takeaway

Pain & Gain's departure from free streaming highlights the ongoing debate around the portrayal of real-life crimes in popular media. As audiences lose easy access to the film, it raises questions about how such controversial works are remembered and the lasting impact they have on perceptions of true events.