Jason Statham's movie 'A Working Man': Darker than 'The Beekeeper'

After Jason Statham’s recent work in ‘The Beekeeper’, I was curious about what ‘A Working Man’ would deliver considering similarities in the storyline. I was not disappointed.

‘A Working Man’ released March 28 and directed by David Ayer, featuring a screenplay co-written by Sylvester Stallone.

The movie plunges us into the world of Levon Cade, played by Jason Statham, a former Royal Marines commando, who’s currently living in his truck and fighting for his daughter’s custody against his father-in-law.

Cade finds solace in his construction work, but, as expected, peace is soon fleeting as expected. When his boss’s teenage daughter, Jennie is kidnapped by a ruthless Russian human trafficking operation, Levon is forced to dust off that ‘particular set of skills’ and embark on a relentless rescue mission.

Levon goes on a hunting spree, leaving a trail of bodies, often dispatched execution-style, that is impossible to ignore. Here, you can almost feel Sylvester Stallone’s classic action ‘take no prisoners’ attitude, woven into the fabric of the movie that blends perfectly with Statham’s modern action prowess.

Like most action movies catapulted by an aspect of social justice, this movie primarily focuses on Levon’s relentless pursuit.

However, it doesn’t shy away from the grim realities of human trafficking, which gives it a real, visceral weight, painting the brutal inhumanity of traffickers, the desperation of their victims and the emotional turmoil the families suffer, hoping for their loved one’s return.

And as anticipated, it is impossible to talk about ‘A Working Man’ without drawing parallels to ‘The Beekeeper.’

Both films feature Statham as a highly skilled individual attempting to live a low-key life only to be forced to be some sort of vigilante protagonist dismantling powerful, corrupt forces.

Both are action-heavy, with intense fight scenes and a significant body count. When Statham delivers lines like, “You wish I was the police”, you know it’s about to go down.

‘The Beekeeper’ leaned into a broader conspiracy, exposing high-level corruption. ‘A Working Man,’ on the other hand, is more grounded, a personal rescue mission driven by a father’s desperation. It delves into the grittier, darker corners of human trafficking.

While ‘The Beekeeper' gave us a more escapist experience, ‘A Working Man’ was definitely darker and more brutal in delivery, precisely what you expect in a good action movie.

All in all, whether you belong to the beehive or the darker allies of ‘A Working Man’, both films deliver an impeccable lone wolf performance from Jason Statham.

It is worth mentioning that the plot is somewhat predictable; as usual, the hero prevails. Also, like many other action-packed films, the dialogue is very minimal and lacking emotional depth considering the heavy subject matter at hand.

Also, the villains, initially presented as formidable, ultimately prove one-dimensional, which was a bit disappointing.

Nevertheless, the frenetic action scenes and Jason Statham’s no-nonsense attitude will keep you glued to your screen to the very end