My quick rating – 6.2/10. Jason Statham slips back into his comfort zone—and our good graces—in A Working Man, a gritty action-thriller that plays like a mashup of Taken and Rambo, sprinkled with a hint of The Beekeeper‘s raw energy. With a screenplay penned by none other than Sylvester Stallone, the film doesn’t reinvent the wheel but rolls it with just enough style and force to keep action fans strapped in.
Statham plays Levon Cade, a former black ops operative turned blue-collar construction worker, trying to lead a quiet life after years of shadowy violence. Of course, peace doesn’t last long. When human traffickers abduct Jenny (Arianna Rivas), the daughter of his boss and someone Levon clearly considers family, Cade dusts off his deadly skillset to bring her back. What follows is a bloody trail through layers of corruption, human exploitation, and criminal eccentricity.
The movie wastes no time in getting us emotionally invested in Jenny’s character. Rivas, though limited in screen time, manages to make an impression. Her Jenny is not just a damsel in distress; she’s got spunk and even flashes some edge that makes you root for her survival—and fuels Cade’s crusade. The connection between her and Levon is sold quickly and effectively, giving the audience enough reason to stay locked in.
Statham, as expected, delivers the goods. He knows this territory well: stoic, lethal, and unwavering. His performance doesn’t stretch the genre, but it doesn’t need to. It’s the kind of role he can do in his sleep, but he gives it the full Statham treatment, bringing gruff charisma and bruising efficiency to every scene.
The film’s action sequences are a highlight. Brutal, fast-paced, and cleanly shot, they’re a testament to solid choreography and smart direction. The finale, in particular, goes full Rambo-mode, drenched in bullets, explosions, and moral reckoning. It’s satisfyingly over-the-top, though yes, you’ll want to check your common sense at the door. Logic gets murky, but entertainment value stays high.
David Ayer’s direction isn’t quite as sharp here as it was in The Beekeeper. The emotional beats don’t hit as hard, and the stakes feel more manufactured. That said, the film benefits from an entertainingly offbeat batch of villains who keep the journey unpredictable. Levon stumbles into a world that’s darker and weirder than he expected, which gives this flick some flavor beyond the standard ‘man on a mission’ formula.
Technically, the film is solid. Cinematography is tight, especially during the nighttime shootouts and gritty bar brawls. The moody score complements the story well, giving the film a slightly more polished edge than your typical revenge thriller.
In the end, A Working Man is exactly what it sets out to be: a lean, mean action flick for fans of no-nonsense heroes, corrupt baddies, and a high body count. It doesn’t hit the highs of Statham’s best, but it earns its place among his better genre entries. It’s a familiar ride, but one that still kicks hard enough to be worth the trip.
Amazon and a few other streamers have this for rent, or you could check the theaters.