David Ayer's latest action-thriller, "A Working Man," hitting theaters in 2025, attempts to deliver a gritty, no-nonsense punch in the familiar vein of Jason Statham's filmography. Based on Chuck Dixon's 2014 novel Levon's Trade, this Amazon MGM Studios release was initially envisioned as a television series before being retooled into a feature film. With a screenplay co-written by action veteran Sylvester Stallone and Ayer himself, the film stars Jason Statham as Levon Cade, an ex-Royal Marine Commando turned construction foreman. He's a man grappling with personal demons, including the suicide of his wife and a custody battle for his daughter, Merry. However, his quiet life is shattered when Jenny Garcia (Arianna Rivas), the daughter of his close friend and boss Joe (Michael Peña), is kidnapped by Russian traffickers. This forces Cade to confront his past and dive headfirst into the criminal underworld.
Genre:Action, Thriller
"A Working Man" leans heavily into the vigilante trash genre, reminiscent of 80s action flicks like The Exterminator or Death Wish 3. The plot, while straightforward, is a familiar cocktail of kidnapping, the Russian mafia, and a retired soldier returning to the battlefield. Levon, initially reluctant to re-engage with his violent past, is convinced by his blind ex-Marine Raider friend, Gunny, to do what's right for the Garcia family. This sets him on a brutal path, tracking down Johnny, a bartender connected to the Bratva, a Russian mafia crime syndicate. His actions quickly draw the attention of Symon Kharchenko (played by an uncredited actor in the plot summary), the Bratva enforcer. The film escalates with Levon systematically dismantling Symon’s operation, taking out his captain Wolo Kolisnyk and later his sons, Danya and Vanko. The violence is uncompromising, with Levon brutally interrogating and executing Dimi, Wolo's son, to find Jenny's location. The climax sees Levon attacking the compound, rescuing Jenny, and dispatching numerous criminals. The film culminates with Symon being ordered by his boss to leave Levon alone due to his dangerous capabilities, and Levon reuniting Jenny with her family before returning home to Merry and Gunny.
Jason Statham, as always, delivers a reliable performance, embodying the archetypal action hero – a man of few words with a strict moral code, pushed to action. He excels in the fighting sequences and even manages to elevate weak dialogue with his delivery. While Statham essentially plays the same character he's played in many of his other films, his ability to impart elements of comedy without diminishing the serious tone is mesmerizing. You can't help but root for him. The film's action sequences are largely enjoyable and riveting, with one motorcycle chase scene particularly standing out. David Ayer's direction, while leaning into the "over-stylized" and "garish" aesthetic seen in Suicide Squad or The Beekeeper, provides a certain energy that complements the brutal action. Shawn White's cinematography is also noted as being great.
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However, "A Working Man" is plagued by a number of issues that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The screenplay, penned by Ayer and Stallone, is a significant weak point. While Stallone has a history of writing successful action franchises like The Expendables and Rambo, this film unfortunately parallels some of their weaker plot points, particularly Rambo: Last Blood, with its focus on human trafficking. The narrative, for some, felt too familiar and uninvesting. The film suffers from "combatting plot lines" that, despite moving in the same direction, lack proper balance and handoff. There are hints of deeper character involvement that ultimately fall by the wayside, leading to uneven and inconsistent development.
Furthermore, the film's attempts at humor are often forced and fall flat. While some reviewers found certain lines to be funny and dynamic, providing relief from the action, others felt the movie was "way too serious for its own good" given its subject matter. The attempts at comedy sometimes make the baddies seem "comedic rather than deadly". This inconsistency, coupled with a predictable plot and an abundance of conveniences and disbelief, hinders the overall excitement. The film also suffers from "bloated moments" and an excessive setup for a potential cinematic universe, leading to unequal attention and quality. This ambition for a sequel feels "dragged out" and could have been replaced by more intense action scenes.
A particularly critical point raised is the portrayal of Jenny, the abducted girl. While the movie shows her kicking butt and appearing brave, some viewers found her "annoying" and questioned the believability of a "little girl" fighting. This portrayal, ironically, seemed to diminish Statham's heroism, as his confrontation with the Russian mafia felt less brave when a child had already stood up to them. It’s suggested that Jenny should have remained the "scared and helpless damsel in distress".
Despite these significant flaws, "A Working Man" does offer an enjoyable experience for fans of Jason Statham and the action genre. Its strong action sequences, good coordination, and fast pace contribute to its entertainment value. While it may not be one of Statham's best films, it’s an "easy watch" for those seeking a dose of unadulterated action without too much thought involved. Ultimately, "A Working Man" is a film that delivers exactly what you'd expect given its star and production team. For true fans of Statham or the Expendables and Rambo franchises, even their weaker installments, this movie will likely provide a satisfying, if not critically acclaimed, cinematic experience. It’s a B-grade action film, and while technically held back by its screenplay, the performances and direction elevate its technical score to a 6/10, with an enjoyment score ranging from 5/10 to a potential 7/10 if one can overlook its issues.