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R | 1h 56m | Action, Thriller | 2025
Action hero Jason Statham stars in “A Working Man,” based on the book “Levon’s Trade,” by graphic artist Chuck Dixon. It’s co-written by Sylvester Stallone and director David Ayer. Statham recently also starred in Ayer’s “The Beekeeper.”
Synopsis
Levon Cade (Statham) is a foreman in a Chicago-based construction company owned by his buddy (and boss) Joe (Michael Pena). Cade is a former special operations soldier in the British SAS. He’s returned to civilian life with some lingering PTSD.
While Cade was serving overseas, his wife committed suicide, and her wealthy, New Age-y dad, Dr. Jordan Roth (Richard Heap) blames Levon for not being there for his daughter. Cade’s also in a custody battle with his father-in-law to get his young daughter, Merry Cade (Isla Gie), back and is low on money due to legal fees.
Russian Mob
A sex-trafficking ring made up of Russian mobsters kidnap Joe’s daughter, Jenny Garcia (Arianna Rivas), while she’s out partying at a bar to celebrate surviving her first semester of college.
The leader of the Russians is the long blond-haired, eyeliner-wearing Dimi (Maximilian Osinski). Dimi is the son of Russian oligarch Wolo (Jason Flemyng), who Cade eventually and satisfyingly dispatches by sending Wolo on a trip to the bottom of his own swimming pool.
The muscle is provided by Danya and Vanko Kharchenko (Greg Kolpakchi and Piotr Witkowski) who wear matching, expensive, designer track-suits, in different colors. They take great offense to Cade not appreciating their refined sense of style.
Get Her Back at Any Cost
Joe and his wife (Noemi Gonzalez) promise Levon a major bonus if he rescues Jenny. Cade naturally turns it all down, but this is, of course, a classic, former-tough-guy-coming-out-of-retirement tale, which of course includes the usual visiting-an-old-war-buddy-who’s-got-a-weapons-cache storyline. That would be Cade’s blind former teammate Gunny (David Harbour).
And we’re off! So begins a vigilante justice and rescue tale of murder and mayhem, with much blowing up of stuff, and many large-caliber weapons turning sets, cars, and people into Swiss cheese. Most notably, one of dastardly Dimi’s outstretched hands gets a nice, precise 50-caliber hole in it.
Been Here a Million Times
This “Taken”-lite thriller is a good example of a revenge-sploitation flick where Stallone, Ayery, and Statham shamelessly bank on Statham’s star-power and fighting skillset for box office bucks. The under-utilization of top talent like Michael Pena and David Harbour is almost embarrassing.
But, like stand-up comedian Godfrey (who does a hilariously dead-on Statham impression) recently pointed out, all of Jason Statham’s movies include Statham alluding to his movie’s title at some point: “The Transporter”: “I transport things.” “The Beekeeper”: “I keep bees.” “A Working Man”: “I’m a working man.” Godrey notes that it’s always difficult to hear Statham’s voice because it’s low and quiet, and that Statham ought to eventually make a movie called “The Librarian.” I thought I told you guys to be quiet. Posters of Statham with a stack of books under his arm. That’s a movie I’d like to see.
“A Working Man,” however, is no “Beekeeper.” It’s just a load of useless carnage. Diehard Statham fans will enjoy it, and Statham himself is almost always enjoyable, but this shameless money-grab that leaves PTSD-level disturbing images in your mind isn’t worth the movie ticket.
‘A Working Man’
Director: David Ayer
Starring: Jason Statham, Michael Pena, Arianna Rivas, David Harbour
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 56 minutes
Release Date: March 28, 2025
Rating: 2 1/2 stars out of 5
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