'Checkout' Makes a Successful Jump to the Big Screen

"Kupa Roshit: The Movie," the film version of the hit Israeli TV comedy, opens today, Wednesday, as the flagship release of Israeli Cinema Day and is expected to become a box-office hit. The review gives it four out of five stars and says the film proves again that local TV-to-film adaptations, especially comedies, are working well in Israel.

The story takes place in the branch of the fictional supermarket chain Shapashkar in the city of Yavne. The familiar store employees and regular customers return, joined by several new characters. Caught up in a store competition run by the chain’s boss, played by Tzvika Hadar, the team’s plans collapse because of the annoying, miserly customer Amnon, played by Dov Navon. In retaliation, the frustrated staff kidnap him, but the revenge goes wrong, drawing in gangsters and police, turning the group into murder suspects, and forcing them on the run.

The cast is led by series stars Noa Koller as branch manager Shira, Amir Shurush as Ramzi Abd Ramzi, Daniel Stiopin and Yaniv Svisha as the butchers, and Keren Mor as cashier Kochava Shevit, with supporting appearances by Yigal Adika, Yaakov Bodor, Omer Atzmon, Dani Steg, Rami Kashi and Moshe Ashkenazi. The reviewer singles out the comedy, saying the film works even for viewers who have not seen the series, and praises the script by creators Yaniv Zohar and Nadav Frishman.

Kobi Havia, who directed the show’s last two seasons, makes his first feature as director here. The review also commends cinematographer Lall Otnik, noting his visually rich work and references to classics such as "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Terminator." Beyond the laughs, the film stands out for focusing on middle-class characters rather than the usual Israeli social divides, and the reviewer concludes that it is likely to fill theaters, perhaps paving the way for a sequel.