Amazon adds action thriller that's Taken meets The Equalizer

Daily Mirror

15-05-2025

The film is an exclusive release
Amazon Prime has subtly added what's being hailed as a 'mashup of Taken and The Equalizer' and 'one of Jason Statham's finest action films yet'.
The streaming behemoth has exclusively launched A Working Man on its platform. Until now, the film had only seen a cinematic release in the US, so UK fans can finally see what all the hype is about.
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In the film, Statham portrays Levon Cade, a man who left a distinguished military career in black ops to lead a simple life working in construction. However, when his boss's daughter is kidnapped by human traffickers, his quest to bring her home reveals a level of corruption far beyond anything he could have anticipated.
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A Working Man sees Statham team up again with writer-director David Ayer. This is their follow-up to the unexpected hit The Beekeeper, which was released in 2024.
Ayer also penned Training Day and the original The Fast and the Furious, as well as directing End of Watch, Fury and Suicide Squad in 2016, reports Surrey Live.
Joining Statham in the cast are Marvel stars David Harbour and Michael Pena. British actor Jason Flemyng, known for his roles in Black Mirror and The Missing, also features.
Despite receiving a lowly 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film wasn't particularly well received by critics. Nonetheless, there are plenty of fans who disagree with that assessment and have singled out the film for high praise.
It seems there are ample reasons for Amazon Prime subscribers to give the title a watch. One viewer took to social media to exclaim: "A Working Man is an absolute blast from start to finish! This is action cinema done right-fast-paced, thrilling, and packed with intense fight sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. Jason Statham once again proves why he's one of the best in the genre, delivering a performance that's equal parts ruthless and charismatic."
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Another chimed in: "Mind-blowing action movie. This movie blew away my mind with its high-octane action sequences featuring Jason Statham in his usual no nonsense and serious action skills. Right from the start to the end, the movie gives goosebumps. And the action sequences are just top notch."
A different fan succinctly put it: "One of Jason Statham's best movies yet. A great plot that dealt very truthfully about the issue of how bad human trafficking and how it hurts people and the sleaze associated with it."
However, not everyone was completely sold, with some viewers finding faults in the narrative. A critic pointed out: "A mashup of Taken and The Equalizer with an ex military badass who reverts to his skills to track down a missing girl. Statham's action scenes were pretty awesome as usual, but the plot was unoriginal."
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The film has divided some, with a few viewers not quite taken by its charms. A disgruntled viewer remarked: "Seems like they were going for a John Wick vibe, but this was bad. Very bad. Like I wasn't expecting a masterpiece by any means from another boilerplate Jason Statham action movie, but this was so bad. And I say this as someone who loves a good predictable action movie. I enjoyed the Beekeeper for example. That was a lot better than this."
Their critique didn't end there, adding: "This movie felt almost like if you asked AI to make a generic Jason Statham action movie. Looks like they were attempting to set up a potential sequel near the end. Please don't."