A Working Man review, Jason Statham’s new action film

Yeah, he’s a mild-mannered construction worker. Yeah, he has a secret, decorated past in covert-ops. Yeah, he has a weapons sommelier played by the guy from Stranger Things. And, yeah, he’s the only one who can tear down a human trafficking ring. After 2024’s The Beekeeper, the bald British badass Jason Statham reteams with director David Ayer. When the daughter of his boss Joe Garcia (Michael Pena, End of Watch) is kidnapped, the desperate family turns to humble construction worker Levon Cade (Statham) for his dangerous expertise to rescue her. If your keep your expectations reasonable and light, one can find this offering campy in the right way. 

Not a single nail is hammered on the work site before a full blown brawl breaks out early, baptizing the action that is to further ensue. Mild-mannered laborer Levon may not be aware he just showed his cads revealing a special skill set. Despite having retired from his career in British covert ops, he finds himself still in battle, this one over the custody of his daughter against his flawed father in law who deep pockets made the legal turmoil costly. Levon is grateful to the Garcia family for giving him a job during a difficult transition to civilian life, so when their daughter Jenny (Arianna Rivas, The Harvest) is kidnapped by the Russian Mob, they plead for his help. With the authorities offering bleak aid, they know he is the only person they can look to. Being a father to a daughter as well pulls on his sympathy strings, and a financial bonus toward the legal fight over his daughter seals the motivation deal. Buckle up bad guys.

The action sequencesdisplay a confidence

The action sequences display a confidence and understanding that may have resulted from Ayer and Statham having collaborated prior. Pena and Gonzalez also previously worked with the director. Proudly carrying the torch passed on from actors like Sylvester Stallone, who co-wrote and produced this film), Statham also packs dry British whit and a rough around the edges charm. Despite playing a restricted range of characters, that all makes him a fun guy watch exact justice the only way he knows.

I’ll give my left kidney to anybody who can find me a British-born man working construction in America in this day and age. But, as a highly trained, wrong-guy-to-mess with, Statham sells every time. One of the best parts of any action movie is when the protagonist suits up and readies his arsenal before the showdown. It’s only right Levon’s friend in this assisting role is named “Gunny” played by David Harbour. Our hero then goes on the meticulous hunt for the mobsters until he can reach Jenny. It’s unfortunate the Russian gang feels cheaply and inaccurately portrayed, at times seeming too comical to be menacing. One element we do want to surprise us in this genre is the action scenes, and while all are executed seamlessly, none stand out.

With this film, like any another Statham flick of this caliber, if you know what you’ve came for, you will enjoy it. Don’t tell yourself any tales to make you think this isn’t another action film. Ayer and Stallone don’t break ground on a fresh foundation, instead the choice is the classic remodel of a stoic man with a checkered past that the villains shouldn’t have crossed. And while you certainly don’t need to rush out to see it, those who know the ride they’re about to take will leave after entertained. 

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