The plot is anchored by a high-concept premise: Vic Manning, an LAPD detective, undergoes LASIK surgery just as a lead emerges on the drug trafficker who killed his partner. Unable to drive or see clearly, Vic hails an Uber driven by Stu, a mild-mannered man working two jobs to help his unrequited love open a business. What follows is a chaotic journey across Los Angeles, where Stu is forced to act as Vic’s eyes and getaway driver, all while desperately trying to maintain his pristine five-star passenger rating. Themes of Masculinity

: Some reviewers noted a hypocrisy in this theme, suggesting that while the film mocks Vic's toxic traits, it ultimately validates them by rewarding Stu for becoming more violent. Stuber 2019: Review - Vulture

One of the film's more ambitious, if unevenly executed, elements is its commentary on modern masculinity.

: Throughout their shared ordeal, the two characters ostensibly learn from one another. Vic is encouraged to express vulnerability and connect with his estranged daughter, while Stu learns to "man up" and assert himself in his personal life.

: The script pits Stu’s emotional intelligence and aversion to violence against Vic’s "punch first, ask questions later" philosophy.

The 2019 film Stuber serves as a modern iteration of the classic "odd couple" buddy-cop comedy, attempting to update a vintage formula for the era of the gig economy. Directed by Michael Dowse, the film relies heavily on the physical and temperamental contrast between its two leads: Dave Bautista as the hyper-masculine, semi-blind detective Vic Manning, and Kumail Nanjiani as the anxious, customer-service-obsessed Uber driver Stu. Narrative and Concept