'A Working Man' Review: Jason Statham's Action-Packed Vigilante Thriller
Jason Statham stars in A Working Man, a gritty action thriller where his character, Levon Cade, faces a series of life-altering challenges. At the film’s start, Cade is in a dire financial situation—sleeping in his car and struggling to raise enough money for the legal fees required to secure custody of his young daughter, Isla (Isla Gie), from her grandfather. Despite his steady job as a construction foreman, trouble seems to follow Cade, especially when he’s forced to use his advanced combat skills to protect a co-worker from a gang of thugs.
Jason Statham in 'A Working Man.'
Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios
"I didn't see anything," Cade tells his boss's daughter, Jenny (Arrianna Rivas), after she witnesses him in action, and she correctly deduces that he's no ordinary working man.
Soon after, Jenny goes missing, and her frantic parents (Michael Peña, Noemi Gonzalez), aware of Cade’s elite military past, desperately implore him to help find her. Cade, reluctant at first, is pulled back into his violent past. “It’s not who I am anymore,” he tells them—but is that truly the case?
Cade quickly re-enters the dangerous criminal underworld of Chicago, infiltrating the Russian mob’s human trafficking operation by posing as a drug dealer. His quest to rescue Jenny leads him through brutal confrontations and grueling interrogations, including a chilling moment where he tortures a suspect using military methods. With his cold, efficient manner, Cade faces one criminal after another, many of whom meet gruesome ends.
The film is directed by David Ayer, a filmmaker with a reputation for hard-hitting action films, having previously worked on End of Watch, Fury, and Suicide Squad. Ayer reteams with Statham after their successful collaboration on The Beekeeper. The film is based on Chuck Dixon's book Levon's Trade, the first in a series revolving around Cade, a former black-ops soldier who seeks justice on his own terms. Though the book's protagonist is American, Statham’s portrayal of Cade gives the character a distinctly British edge, yet no less lethal.
The film features a colorful array of villains, including the Russian crime lord Wolo (Jason Flemyng), his son Didi (Maximilian Osinski), and their various henchmen. Each bad guy is dispatched with Statham’s trademark efficiency, often with a deadpan quip before the violence ensues. A highlight of the film is a particularly tense fight scene, where Cade, hands tied, battles two men in the back of a van—resulting in a dramatic, one-sided victory.
Despite its action-packed nature, A Working Man sometimes feels repetitive, with certain plot elements feeling formulaic. At nearly two hours, the film could have benefited from tighter pacing. Still, Ayer’s sharp direction and Statham’s effortlessly charismatic performance help elevate the material. Statham brings his signature coolness to the role, never breaking a sweat even in the most dangerous situations.
The film’s more eccentric characters add flavor, particularly Cade’s former military colleague, Gunny (David Harbour). A blind former soldier who acts as Cade’s weapons supplier, Gunny brings levity and flair to the film, often referring to himself as a “weapon sommelier” as he provides Cade with the tools for his mission.
While A Working Man may not break new ground in the action genre, its combination of thrilling fight sequences, Statham’s strong performance, and Ayer’s direction make it a satisfying watch for fans of intense, no-nonsense action films. With memorable characters and brutal confrontations, this movie offers a thrilling ride from start to finish.
