Family isn’t always about blood. At his lowest point, Levon Cade (Jason Statham) returns home from deployment and takes a job as a construction manager with Garcia Family Constructions—a family-run business operated by Joe and Carla Garcia (Michael Peña and Noemi Gonzalez) and their college-aged daughter, Jenny (Arianna Rivas). The Garcias welcome Levon into their lives, treating him like one of their own, ensuring he is cared for and supported so he can continue being there for his daughter as she grows.
Levon is an unassuming man, living out of his truck with no permanent address, saving money in the hopes of fighting for more time with his daughter. She lives with her grandfather after the death of her mother, Levon’s wife. He keeps his past buried, taking pride in his current work and the camaraderie he shares with his crew on the construction site.
When Jenny is stalked and kidnapped during a night out with friends, the Garcias turn to Levon for help. They have always known about his past and the specialised training that makes him uniquely suited to get their daughter back. Forced to set aside his new life, Levon must reawaken his dormant skill set. In his quest to find Jenny, he uncovers a tangled web of organised crime, feuding families, drug distribution, and human trafficking. But bringing Jenny home remains his sole focus.
Jason Statham reunites with director David Ayer for another action-packed thriller. Based on the 2014 novel Levon’s Trade by Chuck Dixon, A Working Man was adapted for the screen by Ayer and Sylvester Stallone. Stallone’s influence is evident, giving the film a tone reminiscent of other projects he’s been involved in.
A Working Man is a classic “leave your brain at home” action flick, perfect for a night out with friends. However, it struggles with an identity crisis. At its core, it tries to balance action and crime thriller elements while sprinkling in heartfelt moments. Individually, these elements work, but Ayer struggles to weave them into a seamless, coherent narrative, resulting in serious pacing issues.
That said, the action is what audiences are here for, and Statham delivers in his signature style, efficient, brutal, and ultimately unstoppable. The fight sequences are fast, intense, and creatively violent, making for some wince-inducing yet cheer-worthy moments. Statham doesn’t step far outside his comfort zone, but the role is tailored to his strengths rather than requiring him to add extra depth to the character. It’s a role we’ve seen him play many times before, just under a different name.
Unfortunately, the moments connecting the action feel like a mismatched collection of scenes, often placed at awkward points in the story. Levon spends time with his daughter and has tense confrontations with his father-in-law. He also reconnects with an old military mentor, all while in pursuit of the kidnappers. A steady build-up to the final act would have better suited the film’s pacing and tone.
A Working Man isn’t a bad movie by any means, I had fun watching it. If you can switch off and enjoy it for what it is, there’s plenty to like. Statham delivers a solid performance, and the story is compelling enough to hold your attention. Isla Gie gives a charming and heartfelt performance as his daughter, Merry, steals several scenes along the way. Arianna Rivas is electrifying in her role, though she doesn’t get nearly enough screen time.
Ultimately, A Working Man is a fairly standard action film. It’s designed for a fun time at the cinema, but it won’t linger in your mind for long after the credits roll. Despite its pacing issues, the story is engaging enough, making it an enjoyable popcorn flick, best enjoyed with your favourite beverage in hand.
