Expectations in films are a tricky thing. We agree we shouldn’t judge a movie by its poster, but preconceived notions will happen. We all have them. It’s even worse when the film in question leans into them, as has every trailer for A Working Man. They constantly remind us this is the much-awaited follow-up between Jason Statham and writer/director David Ayer after The Beekeeper in 2024. Will this action thriller bring us back to the over-the-top craziness of its predecessor? Or should A Working Man just get another job?
A Working Man
Ex-military man Levon Cade (Jason Statham) is a decent guy. He’s a working man. See what I did there? Things might not be perfect financially, but he likes his job, has good friends and is still active in his young daughter’s (Isla Gie) life. As a result, when his boss (Michael Peña) asks for help after his own daughter (Arianna Rivas) is kidnapped, Cade is understandably hesitant. Can Cade’s military training really help him save the young girl’s life? Jason Flemyng, David Harbour, David Maximilian Osinski and Chidi Ajufo co-star in the movie. David Ayer directs A Working Man from a script he co-wrote with Sylvester Stallone.
Before we dive into this, I need to be truthful. I went into A Working Man with The Beekeeper very much on my brain. I wanted the same experience. The comparison is certainly there. As mentioned, A Working Man reunites Statham with director David Ayer, and the film’s marketing is not shy about reminding us of the fact.
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Friends, The Beekeeper was a delight. It’s a frenetic, hard-hitting action juggernaut that isn’t afraid to bask in its silliness. Statham, in my mind anyway, is at his best when he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Movies like The Meg, Crank and The Beekeeper show this. Now, this isn’t to say Statham isn’t good when he’s a little more stoic. However, he deserves to have some fun. We need him to have fun.
It’s All Very Serious
That said, A Working Man takes itself so, so seriously. Granted, this likely won’t be an issue for all. However, when you’re diving in with the hope of puns galore and over-the-top, popcorn crunching action, it’s a letdown.
Luckily, Statham is not as dour as he could be. He instinctively understands his very specific star persona, and he tends to avoid straying far from that. However, he capitalizes on beautiful opportunities to let his guard down in scenes with not only Gie but also Harbour.
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I suppose, though I shouldn’t be surprised, that A Working Man is far closer to a Sylvester Stallone movie than a Jason Statham one. With a story that involves a forlorn outsider saving a young woman from drugs and trafficking, all one has to do is cast Stallone instead of Statham, and you have a late franchise Rambo or Expendables entry.
A Welcomed Revelation
Though, in a welcomed revelation that feels decidedly “un-Stallone,” Rivas shines in a way we don’t often see in these movies. The young actress takes the “young girl in trouble” role and finds a sense of ownership. She’s spunky. She fights back and doesn’t simply submit. This is fresh because we don’t often see this. In similar movies, we often see these characters as thankless parts. They are purely passive, meant to either elicit sympathy from the audience or spur character growth in the lead. You know, fridging.
Now, let’s get to the important stuff. This is a Jason Statham movie; we all know what you’re here for. Is this a pulse-pounding thrill ride or a snooze?
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A Working Man is, unfortunately, stung a bit by its runtime. The movie clocks in at a formidable one hour and fifty-six minutes. With far too many films clocking over two hours these days, this is a nice change. However, this leaves A Working Man feeling like a bit of a slog between the action sequences. There’s not enough life to propel things forward.
Wanting More
With all that being said, though, A Working Man is a joy when it gives in to the crazy. While there are several interesting sequences throughout, this is seen with the most bone-crunching clarity in the final act. We’re talking mid-90s quality action as Statham brings his frustrated fury on an unassuming manor house. It’s unfortunate that, having seen where this film can go, it doesn’t dive into this sooner.
When all is said and done, A Working Man is a product of a viewer’s expectations. Which Jason Statham are you looking to see? A Working Man is a solid action film to be sure, but it’s missing the winking sense of fun we’ve seen so much from him lately. Fans of Jason Statham in the olden, golden days might find a lot to enjoy here, and perhaps Stallone aficionados. This critic, however, was left wanting more.
A Working Man opens in theaters around the country on March 28, 2025.
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