May 9, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Film Review: A Working Man

By Dolores Quintana

A Working Man is the second collaboration between director David Ayer and actor Jason Statham, in which an ordinary man, even though he is a highly trained killing machine, goes up against impossible odds to save a young woman from human traffickers. 

The first film this duo made, the similarly titled The Beekeeper, was a hit among action fans, but this film does not continue that story. If anything, it is a spiritual sequel with a similar setup: a vigilante fight for justice from a taciturn man who is trying to do the right thing and just happens to be a Royal Marine. 

The first thing you might think is that it is a rip of the Taken series, which gave Liam Neeson a career as an action star, but it is not. It stands apart from the John Wick series, too, because its main character, Levon Cade, isn’t an almost supernatural being, the Baba Yaga, but an ordinary guy who will eat canned tuna and peanut butter if the family who owns the construction company where he works doesn’t give him food from their abuela. He’s not hellbent on destroying himself; he is just focused on keeping custody of his daughter. 

Jason Statham is an action star who has branched out into more dramatic roles that still allow him to flex his fighting skills. He has a quietly charismatic personality that he is honing in on with these roles. If anything, these movies remind me of the action films that starred Charles Bronson in the 1970s, before Death Wish and the popular and populist Walking Tall series. It’s a bit of a throwback to movies that they don’t make anymore. 

His character, Levon Cade, doesn’t want any trouble but will not watch evil go unpunished. He’s a moral character among the chaos of the Russian and American criminals in the movie. 

The fighting is pretty dang good, with some nice gunplay. It doesn’t have the sadistic edge that would make this a gorefest or a bummer. Director and co-writer David Ayer gives the film a dark palette that contains just enough style to match the grit of the action. The script, written with Sylvester Stallone, hits familiar action revenge-style beats with touches of humor to keep things moving and show that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

Michael Peña, Arianna Rivas, and David Harbour co-star. Peña plays the father, Joe Garcia, who owns the construction company. David Harbour plays the comedic role of his former comrade, Gunny Lefferty, who is blind but refuses to admit that he can’t see. Arianna Rivas gives a strong performance as Jenny Garcia, who was taught to fight by her Special Forces abuelo and has a persona reminiscent of Melissa Barrera. 

The underworld gangsters and drug dealers are all well cast and give their characters nuance and charisma, especially Dutch actor Max Croes, who gives a memorable performance with little to no dialogue as Karp. Yep, they named him after a fish. 

If you would like a solid action revenge picture that isn’t too gory or sadistic and has a heart, you would do well to buy a ticket to A Working Man. It is satisfying to see a man who will instantly stand up to villains who think they are above the law, given the current political climate. 

A Working Man is exactly what its name implies: meat and potatoes vigilante action, nothing too fancy, but a good meal just the same.

<>Related Posts

Group Exhibition “Boulders” Showcases Work by 34 Artists at Arcane Space

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

The exhibition emphasizes “mutual support, collective strength, and an unflinching engagement with this current moment.” A new group exhibition opening...

Avril Lavigne Partners with Palisades Skate Shop for Sweatshirt Fundraiser

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

The sweatshirt, blending Lavigne’s signature style with Paliskates’ skate culture roots, is on sale Three months after its spotlight moment...

Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: Register Open for Summer Camps

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Summer is coming. For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach...

World-Class Brew: Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Basil, Citrus, and Craftsmanship: See Which Local Brewery Just Won Big Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a...

Film Review: Thunderbolts*

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHUNDERBOLTS*Rated PG-13126 MinutesReleased May 2nd The Thunderbolts are a highly unique part of the Marvel Comics universe of superheroes...

Santa Monica Cashier Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minor

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

The ABC is conducting compliance checks statewide The Santa Monica Police Department cited a retail clerk at Bristol Farms, located...

Santa Monica Pier to Host Final Locals’ Night of the Season on May 15

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Highlights include a classic car show, free salsa lessons, and performances by punk bands Cycotic Youth and No Reaction The...

(Video) A Fourth Palisades Restaurant Reopens Months After the Wildfires

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

The Reopening Coincided with Cinco de Mayo Celebrations The Reopening Coincided with Cinco de Mayo Celebrations. pic.twitter.com/gHgWqVSjY8 — Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: Your Destination for Local Events, Celebrations

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Cinco de Mayo, Pride Month and More Parties This Summer Shore Hotel, a luxury hotel nestled in the heart of...

(Video) Petitgrain Boulangerie’s Party For Its One Year Anniversary

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

We got the gifts with a DJ, free cookies, croissants and affogatos. Congratulations to the co-owners Clémence de Lutz and...

(Video) Socalo’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Co-Owner Susan Feniger Offers Diners Chapulines While Co-Owner Mary Sue Milliken works behind the scenes. Chef Makes Tlayudas on the...

Badmaash to Open Third Location in Venice This Summer

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

In a shift toward wellness-conscious dining, the new menu will emphasize brothy soups, raw preparations, and lighter dishes The popular...

Meet the Man Behind the Burritos: Severiano Gonzalez Marks Four Decades at Tito’s Tacos

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

One Man’s Dedication, Four Decades of Flavor: Tito’s Senior Cook Speaks By Dolores Quintana Severiano Gonzalez is the senior cook...

Chef Zach Pollack Opens Italian-Californian Restaurant Cosetta in Santa Monica

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

The menu includes bar offerings like bluefin tartare with ossobuco aioli and small plates such as burrata agnolotti salad Cosetta,...

Santa Monica Physical Therapist Arrested for Sexual Battery; Police Seek Additional Victims

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

The arrest stems from a February 19 report of a suspected sexual battery at Select Physical Therapy A licensed physical...