Review by Jon Donnis
The Union, directed by Julian Farino, is a 2024 American spy action-comedy thriller that ambitiously blends espionage with humour and romance. Despite its star-studded cast and glossy production values, the film ultimately struggles to rise above the predictable formulaic trappings that have become synonymous with Netflix's high-octane but often forgettable offerings.
At the centre of the narrative is Mike McKenna, portrayed by Mark Wahlberg, a down-to-earth construction worker from New Jersey who is thrust into the shadowy world of international espionage. Wahlberg's character is the everyman, plucked from obscurity and transformed into an unlikely hero. When his high school sweetheart, Roxanne Hall, played by the near pensioner Halle Berry, reappears in his life after two decades, she brings with her not just the ghosts of their shared past, but also a dangerous mission that could tilt the balance of global power.
The film's premise is intriguing: a blue-collar worker becoming an unwitting spy, set against the backdrop of a covert organisation reeling from a botched operation. The Union, the secretive group at the film's core, is in disarray, making Mike's ordinary facade the perfect cover for a critical mission. What follows is a whirlwind adventure across Europe, with Mike and Roxanne dodging Iranian terrorists, North Korean agents, and Russian spies. The script attempts to inject levity into the tension-filled plot, using the rekindled relationship between Mike and Roxanne as a vehicle for both romance and comedy.
However, while the film's concept is solid, its execution leaves much to be desired. Both Wahlberg and Berry, though undeniably charismatic, are visibly struggling to convince as characters who are meant to be in their forties. Wahlberg's dyed hair and Berry's noticeably laboured movements during action sequences are stark reminders of the actors' real ages, which undermine the believability of their roles. This disconnect, unfortunately, serves as a constant distraction, pulling the audience out of the otherwise sleekly produced narrative.
The film is visually impressive, with high production values that are evident in its well-choreographed action scenes, striking cinematography, and effective use of visual effects. The European settings, from London's iconic streets to the more exotic locales that the plot traverses, are captured with a cinematic polish that is both pleasing to the eye and immersive. The action sequences, too, are meticulously crafted, delivering the kind of visceral thrills one expects from a spy thriller.
Yet, despite these strengths, The Union falters in areas that matter most: character development and narrative originality. The script is riddled with clichés and lacks the sharp wit that could have elevated it beyond the mundane. The dialogue is painfully inane at times, with exchanges that feel as though they've been plucked from a checklist of spy movie tropes. The plot, while initially engaging, becomes increasingly predictable, with twists that can be seen coming a mile away.
The supporting cast, featuring talents like Mike Colter, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and J. K. Simmons, do their best with the material they're given, but even their performances can't inject life into characters that are, at their core, one-dimensional. There's a sense that the film is ticking off boxes rather than genuinely exploring its characters or narrative possibilities.
The Union is another in a long line of Netflix's formulaic action thrillers. It's a film that's easy to watch but just as easy to forget. While it's not without its merits, chief among them the visual appeal and the undeniable star power of its leads, it ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression. It's a safe, middle-of-the-road offering that doesn't quite live up to its potential. For all its high-octane action and glossy production, The Union is, at best, a decent diversion but not one that's likely to be remembered once the credits roll. A respectable but unremarkable 6 out of 10.
Out Now on Netlfix
