A Working Man Full Movie Review: Jason Statham's Latest Action Formula
Table of Contents
Introduction
Jason Statham returns to the big screen in "A Working Man" (2025), once again embodying the "everyday guy who happens to be a very efficient badass" character that has become his trademark. This review explores whether this latest entry in Statham's action filmography brings anything new to the table or simply retreads familiar territory with a different job title.
Plot Overview
In "A Working Man," Jason Statham plays exactly what the title suggests - a working man employed by a construction company. The plot kicks into gear when the 19-year-old daughter of his boss/friend gets kidnapped. From this premise alone, genre fans will immediately recognize where the story is heading.
As expected, we soon learn that Statham's character is far more than just a construction worker. He's revealed to be an ex-Green Beret special forces operative who reluctantly returns to his old ways to find the kidnapped girl. The transition from reluctant hero to full-blown action mode happens quickly, with the character initially refusing the call before changing his mind in classic action movie fashion.
Director David Ayer's Influence
The film is directed by David Ayer, known for titles like "Fury," "Suicide Squad," and most recently "The Beekeeper" (another Statham vehicle). In many ways, "A Working Man" feels like "The Beekeeper" with a job change - instead of "I'll keep bees," it's "I'm a working man." Ayer's directorial fingerprints are evident throughout, especially in the gritty action sequences and escalating violence.
Action Sequences Analysis
When "A Working Man" leans into its identity as a nostalgic 90s cheese action movie set in 2025, it delivers genuinely fun moments. The film follows a familiar formula as Statham works his way up the chain of command, taking out increasingly significant enemies while gathering information to locate the kidnapped girl.
Unlike the more straightforward approach seen in similar films like "Taken," "A Working Man" takes a more convoluted path, with twists and turns that sometimes feel unnecessary but do make sense within the context of infiltrating a criminal organization. The approach involves Statham's character pretending to work for the villains to get closer to the mastermind.
The third act's "storming the castle" sequence delivers satisfying action with impactful hits. The review specifically mentions a soft spot for "bullets that lift people off the ground and make them tumble over a rail" - classic action movie spectacle that works well when the film fully embraces its cheese factor.
90s Action Movie Nostalgia
The film deliberately channels 90s action movie aesthetics, sometimes successfully and sometimes less so. By the climax, the movie incorporates some unusual stylistic choices, including what the reviewer describes as "90s cheese on top of a little bit of Mad Max flavor" - complete with a villain wearing a samurai helmet that feels oddly out of place.
This speaks to a broader point about modern films attempting to recapture the magic of 90s action movies: they're inevitably a replica, one filmmaker's interpretation of that era rather than an authentic product of the time. The result is not always a perfect recreation of what made those films work.
Shortcomings
Cartoonish Villains
Some of the villains in "A Working Man" cross the line from entertainingly over-the-top to cartoonishly ridiculous. This tonal inconsistency sometimes undermines the film's attempts at creating genuine tension or stakes.
Movie Length
At approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes, the film overstays its welcome. The reviewer suggests that a runtime closer to 90 minutes would have been more appropriate for this type of action film. The extended length contributes to the movie feeling overblown and convoluted at times.
Visual Style Issues
The film suffers from some peculiar visual choices, with the reviewer noting that the screen often appeared "perpetually foggy" as if "someone breathed on the lens between takes." This stylistic decision - possibly aiming for a gritty aesthetic or "dollar store JJ Abrams lens flares" - ultimately detracts from the viewing experience.
"Jason Statham is pretty much Fortune from Metal Gear Solid 2 - bullets just going around this guy. I was like, 'You're not ducking, you don't feel the urge to duck?' Man doesn't feel the need to duck... to be fair, he doesn't need to duck."
Comparison to Similar Films
The "everyday guy who happens to be a badass" subgenre that once felt fresh has become increasingly crowded. "A Working Man" doesn't particularly distinguish itself within this field, instead relying on the established Jason Statham formula that audiences have come to expect.
Compared specifically to "Taken," the reviewer notes that "A Working Man" takes a less direct approach to its plot progression. While "Taken" had "a pretty concise straight line" for its protagonist to follow, "A Working Man" "squiggles and twists and turns" to reach its conclusion.
The review also draws parallels to Statham's recent film "The Beekeeper," suggesting that "A Working Man" follows essentially the same formula with just a different occupation for the protagonist.
Pros and Cons
What Works
- Satisfying action sequences in the third act
- Effectively captures 90s action movie nostalgia at times
- Jason Statham delivers exactly what fans expect
- Fun when it embraces its cheesy action movie identity
- Coherent progression as protagonist works up the villain chain
What Doesn't
- Overly convoluted plot compared to similar films
- Too long at nearly 2 hours
- Bizarre visual style with "foggy" cinematography
- Some villains are too cartoonish
- Nothing particularly original within the subgenre
- Uneven tone, especially in the final act
Final Verdict: Stream or Theater?
Is "A Working Man" worth seeing in theaters, dealing with the typical annoyances of the modern cinema experience (people on phones, talking, etc.)? The reviewer's conclusion is clear: probably not.
While there is enjoyment to be found in the film and Jason Statham delivers his trademark action hero performance with scientific precision, the movie doesn't offer enough fresh content to justify the theatrical price tag and experience.
The recommendation is to wait for streaming, where you can "enjoy yourself from the comfort of your own couch" while still appreciating the film "on the biggest screen possible in your house." For fans of Statham and this subgenre, it will provide adequate entertainment, just not at theatrical prices.
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