Is Queenpins Based on a True Story? Movie Explained Here
by Ritu
Updated Jan 30, 2024
Queenpins
Queenpins is an American comedy film written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly and released in 2021. It stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Bebe Rexha, Paul Walter Hauser, and Vince Vaughn. Ben Stiller serves as the executive producer of the film.
The film is loosely based on the story of Robin Ramirez, Amiko Fountain, and Marilyn Johnson who were arrested by the Phoenix Police in 2012. The film depicts that police have found more than $25 million of fake coupons in Ramirez's house and seized more than $2 million worth of assets.
Is Queenpins Based on a True Story?
Yes, Queenpins is based on a true story of a coupon scam that made three Arizona women make millions of dollars by selling counterfeit coupons.
In the scam, the coupons were faked and duplicated. Though there are some changes in the movie such as the names of the characters and their motivations, the true story highlights the severe consequences the women faced, including the prison time and restitution payments.
In an interview, Pullapilly said that she and co-director Gaudet would “take deep dives into the internet to try to find stories that are interesting and unique and haven’t been told before.” Eventually, they ended up on a coupon blog that stated about the scam.
She said, "We called the detective in Phoenix and talked to him, and he talked about how it was a legitimate case and happened, and the impact that scam has on our economy,” Pullapilly explained. “We’re very quickly in a car driving to Phoenix and spending time with him, and understanding the real case and what had happened and the mechanics of what they did and what they did when they made all of this money from selling counterfeit coupons."
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What Happened to the Queenpins in Real Life?
It is said that police have recovered $40 million in counterfeit coupons and $2 million in other assets like guns, cash, vehicles, speed boats, and more. The three women faced charges including fraud, counterfeiting, forgery, and operating a criminal enterprise.
In 2013, Ramirez was sent for trial, and Fountain and Johnson agreed to testify against her. Ramirez was sentenced to two years in prison and seven years of probation. All three had to pay $1.2 million restitution to Proctor and Gamble.
Queenpins Plot
Queenpins follows the story of Connie Kaminski, a sad and frustrated housewife, and a three-time gold-medal-former Olympic racewalker winner. She follows the conventional life path set by society ever since she was young. Her sacrifices are never appreciated and she is overlooked by her husband Rick, an IRS senior audit specialist, and her family.
Estranged by her uninspiring existence, being unemployed and having suffered a miscarriage, Connie commiserates with her best friend Joanna "JoJo" Johnson, who has been not able to secure a job and lives with her mother Josephine to generate income by making YouTube videos.
Queenpins Release Date
Queenpins was released on September 10, 2021. In June 2021, Showtime and Paramount+ acquired the U.S. pay TV and streaming rights to the film. Queenpins was released via Cinemark in the United States on September 10, 2021, by STXfilms and on Paramount+ on September 30, 2021.
Queenpins Cast
Cast
Character
Kristen Bell
Connie Kaminski
Kirby Howell-Baptiste
Joanna "JoJo" Johnson
Paul Walter Hauser
Ken Miller
Vince Vaughn
Simon Kilmurry
Joel McHale
Rick Kaminski
Bebe Rexha
Tempe Tina
Dayo Okeniyi
Earl
Greta Oglesby
Josephine "Mama Josie" Johnson, JoJo's mother
Jack McBrayer
Agent Park
Michael Mașini
Agent Harris
Annie Mumolo
Crystal
Stephen Root
Agent Flanagan
Paul Rust
Albert Anderson
Timm Sharp
The gun dealer
Eduardo Franco
Greg Garcia, the cashier
Where to Watch Queenpins?
Queenpins can be watched on Netflix, Showtime, and Paramount Plus. However, if you are unable to watch on these platforms, you can also watch on;
As of 2024, Netflix has authorized the worldwide release of the movie. However, there are still many states and countries that have not been able to gain access to the movie.
Queenpins Trailer
Is Queenpins Based On A True Story - FAQs
Yes, Queenpins is based on a true story of a coupon scam that made three Arizona women make millions of dollars by selling counterfeit coupons.
Queenpins is an American comedy film written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly and released in 2021.
Queenpins was released on September 10, 2021. In June 2021, Showtime and Paramount+ acquired the U.S. pay TV and streaming rights to the film
Queenpins can be watched on Netflix, Showtime, and Paramount Plus. However, if you are unable to watch on these platforms, you can also watch on;
- YouTube movies
- Amazon Prime