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The Pass (2023) is a relationship drama produced by Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker and starring Drew Sidora, and it works best as a steamy TV movie for fans of The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA). What happens when a married couple agrees to one night off from their vows? That’s the question behind the film. RHOA fans watched the movie come together on the show, and it premiered on Peacock in August 2023. This review of The Pass (2023) covers the story, the cast, the behind-the-scenes backstory, what to expect, and where you can watch it now.
Quick verdict: The Pass is a small, self-funded drama with a juicy premise and a cast full of familiar faces from the Atlanta entertainment scene. It plays more like a steamy TV movie than a big-screen thriller, so it works best for RHOA fans and anyone who enjoys infidelity dramas in the vein of Obsessed. Want more in that genre? Check the price of Obsessed on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: A 2023 drama directed by Bobby Huntley, produced by Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker, and starring Drew Sidora as Nina and Robert Christopher Riley as Maurice.
- Where to watch: It premiered on Peacock on August 27, 2023, but TV Guide lists it as unavailable to stream in the US as of November 2026, and JustWatch lists it free with ads on Tubi in the UK.
- Main strengths: A provocative, easy-to-follow premise and a rare lead role for Drew Sidora, in a tight 100-minute runtime.
- Main weaknesses: A low-budget, TV movie feel and familiar relationship thriller beats.
- Critic scores: It has no Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic critic score as of November 2026.
The Pass (2023) at a glance
| Detail | The Pass (2023) |
|---|---|
| Full title | Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker’s The Pass |
| Release date | August 27, 2023, on Peacock |
| Where to watch now | Not currently streaming in the US, according to TV Guide; JustWatch lists it free with ads on Tubi in the UK |
| Director | Bobby Huntley |
| Writer and producers | Written by Todd Tucker (per TheWrap); produced by Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker |
| Main cast | Drew Sidora (Nina), Robert Christopher Riley (Maurice), Erica Peeples (Terra), Kandi Burruss (Shay) |
| Genre | Drama and suspense |
| Runtime | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Critic scores | No Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic critic score as of November 2026 |
Sources: TheWrap, Bravo, TV Guide, and JustWatch. Streaming availability changes often.
Which film is The Pass (2023)?
Several films share this title, so it’s worth clearing up. This review covers the 2023 American drama from Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker, not the 2016 British film The Pass starring Russell Tovey as a closeted soccer player. The 2023 movie is an adult relationship drama, not a sports story.
What is The Pass about?
Nina (Drew Sidora) and Maurice (Robert Christopher Riley) are a married couple looking to shake things up. Encouraged by her friend Shay (Kandi Burruss), Nina agrees to a “hall pass”: for their anniversary, she and Maurice each get one night away from monogamy, no questions asked. According to the film’s official synopsis, that night of pleasure turns into a tool of deception, and the couple’s lives quickly unravel.
We won’t spoil where the story goes. The setup taps into a familiar question for relationship dramas: can a couple really separate physical attraction from trust, jealousy, and secrets? The answer drives the suspense.
The cast
- Drew Sidora as Nina: Sidora, known for Step Up and her years on RHOA, carries the film in the lead role. She thanked the couple on Instagram for believing in her as their “leading lady.”
- Robert Christopher Riley as Maurice: Riley, who starred in VH1’s Hit the Floor, plays the husband who accepts the deal.
- Kandi Burruss as Shay: The Grammy-winning songwriter and RHOA star plays Nina’s friend, the one who plants the hall pass idea.
- Supporting cast: Erica Peeples plays Terra, and the ensemble includes Monyetta Shaw-Carter, Blue Kimble, Reece Odum, Shamea Morton, Dennis L.A. White, and Charmin Lee.
Behind the scenes: a homemade production
The Pass is a true passion project. Todd Tucker told Bravo he first developed the concept years earlier, before the pandemic, and he called it the first film he produced. He and Burruss funded it entirely themselves, according to Bravo, and they shot it in their own home to save on location costs, including scenes set in their bedroom.
RHOA viewers saw the movie take shape throughout Season 15, and Sidora and Burruss have both said that filming the bedroom scenes in the couple’s house felt a little weird. The film landed on Peacock, which, like Bravo, belongs to NBCUniversal. It premiered there on August 27, 2023, one week before the Season 15 reunion, and also streamed on NBC.com and the NBC app.
What to expect
Set your expectations by the budget. The Pass looks and feels like a self-financed independent drama: it relies on a handful of locations, a soapy premise, and charismatic leads rather than polished thriller filmmaking. That’s not a knock. Movies like this, in the tradition of Tyler Perry’s relationship dramas and cable network thrillers, have a loyal audience that enjoys the twists, the arguments, and the shouting at the screen.
What the film doesn’t have is a body of professional reviews. It never received a Rotten Tomatoes critic score, so you’ll mostly find reactions from RHOA fans online. If you watch it for the premise and for Sidora’s turn as a leading lady, you’ll likely have a good time. If you want a sophisticated psychological thriller, look elsewhere.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A provocative, easy-to-follow premise
- Drew Sidora in a rare lead role
- Fun for RHOA fans who followed the production
- A tight 100-minute runtime
Cons
- Low-budget, TV movie feel
- Hard to find on US streaming right now
- Familiar relationship thriller beats
- Mature content that isn’t for everyone
Where to watch The Pass now
The Pass premiered as a Peacock exclusive, but TV Guide lists it as unavailable to stream in the US as of November 2026, and JustWatch shows it free with ads on Tubi in the UK. Check Peacock, Tubi, and digital rental stores, since small films often move between services. A streaming stick makes it easy to hop between apps; see our Fire TV Cube review and our guide to the best streaming service.
Shop related picks on Amazon
The Pass isn’t sold on disc, but Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries more from the cast, similar relationship thrillers, and gear for your movie nights.
| Product | Format | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsessed (2009) | Blu-ray or digital | Fans of infidelity thrillers | Check price |
| Step Up (2006) | Blu-ray or digital | Seeing Drew Sidora’s breakout role | Check price |
| Kandi Burruss books and music | Book, CD, or digital | Kandi fans | Check price |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Streaming stick | Switching between Peacock and Tubi | Check price |
| Mini movie projector | Projector | Date night movies on a big wall | Check price |
- A date night setup: A projector and a blank wall make a relationship drama feel like a night out. Read our Philips PPX4010 projector review or browse projectors on Amazon.
Who should watch The Pass?
Watch The Pass if you’re an RHOA fan who followed Kandi and Todd’s journey to make it, if you enjoy soapy relationship dramas, or if you’re curious to see Drew Sidora as a leading lady. Skip it if low-budget production values bother you or if you prefer prestige thrillers. Looking for a lighter movie night instead? Try our Old Dads review.
Frequently asked questions
Who made The Pass (2023)?
Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker produced The Pass (2023), Bobby Huntley directed it, and TheWrap credits Tucker as the writer.
Is The Pass on Peacock?
No, The Pass isn’t streaming on Peacock in the US right now, according to TV Guide. It premiered as a Peacock exclusive on August 27, 2023, but TV Guide lists it as unavailable to stream in the US as of November 2026.
Who stars in The Pass?
Drew Sidora stars in The Pass as Nina, Robert Christopher Riley plays her husband Maurice, and Kandi Burruss plays Nina’s friend Shay.
Is The Pass related to the 2016 film of the same name?
No, The Pass (2023) isn’t related to the 2016 film of the same name. The 2016 British film The Pass is a drama about a soccer player starring Russell Tovey. The 2023 movie is an unrelated American relationship thriller.
Final verdict
The Pass isn’t a cinematic masterpiece, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s a scrappy, homemade relationship drama with a tempting premise, a committed lead performance from Drew Sidora, and a fun backstory for RHOA fans. Go in expecting a steamy TV movie, and it delivers an entertaining evening. If the hall pass premise hooks you, check the price of Obsessed on Amazon for another classic of the genre.