A Working Man
Release Date: March 28, 2025
Directed By: David Ayer
Written By: Sylvester Stallone and David Ayer
Starring: Jason Statham, David Harbour, Michael Peña, Noemi Gonzalez, Arianna Rivas, Isla Gie, and Jason Flemyng
Rating: R for intense violence, strong language, and drug references
Runtime: 116 minutes
A Working Man, marking the reunion of director David Ayer and star Jason Statham, tells a similar story arc – a retired elite fighter is drawn back into action to save someone dear to him – but lacks the vibrancy of previous endeavors. It follows a predictable pattern, relying on familiar tropes and lazy writing. Unless you have a strong affinity for Statham and enjoy his on-screen fights, there’s not much to engage with.
Adapted from the novel Levon’s Trade by Chuck Dixon, the film stars Jason Statham as Levon Cade, a former Royal Marines commando in Chicago attempting to live a normal life as a construction foreman to gain full custody of his daughter (Isla Gie). Despite his desire to escape his violent history, he is compelled to use his lethal skills when Jenny (Arianna Rivas), the daughter of his employers (Michael Peña, Noemi Gonzalez), is abducted.
At a certain point, it seems the filmmakers recognized the film’s monotony and attempted to inject some chaos to appear innovative. Encountering a bar frequented by individuals connected to the Russian mafia, Levon devises a scheme to pose as a dealer seeking blue meth (it’s clear the scriptwriters didn’t venture beyond watching Breaking Bad). Remarkably, the plan succeeds, leading him to confront the elusive antagonist he seeks. However, the course of the story is absurd, and when intertwined with a minimal subplot about Jenny and her incompetent kidnappers (Emmett J. Scanlan, Eve Mauro), the latter half of A Working Man devolves into complete chaos.
The action in A Working Man is violent but lacks enjoyment.
If you’re heading into the film expecting a coherent story with thrilling action, I have disappointing news. While there’s no shortage of fighting, stabbing, and shooting, it lacks style or inventiveness – neither in the choreography nor the cinematography. The film starts on decent footing, with A Working Man embracing its title as Levon showcases his skills with a bucket of nails and a pickaxe, but the persona of the blue-collar warrior doesn’t progress beyond that. Statham easily triumphs in every fight scene (rendering any stakes nonexistent), and it unfolds without any memorable moments or clever dialogue.
Devoid of any panache, A Working Man relies on brutality, but it gets caught in an awkward space in doing so. The film could benefit from more visible injuries, spurting blood, and flying body parts to elevate its entertainment factor. However, David Ayer chooses to keep the narrative grounded and realistic, which ultimately costs it – it’s just grim and devoid of fun, a significant flaw for this genre.
While A Working Man isn’t entirely devoid of flair, showcasing some outrageously poor suits worn by Russian gangsters and a villain whose hideout features an elaborate throne, these elements merely highlight what’s lacking throughout the film. It tries to be serious but fails to be taken seriously; it’s silly without being entertaining. Both Jason Statham and David Ayer have demonstrated their capabilities in the past, and this effort is a far cry from their finest work.
