--- title: "A Working Man" year: 2025 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/a-working-man" fi1m_id: "a-working-man" imdb_id: "tt9150192" tmdb_id: 1197306 wikidata_id: "Q125495342" fi1m_score: 41 critics_score: 43 critics_reviews: 21 published: "2026-10-05T17:09:52.914418+00:00" updated: "2026-10-05T17:10:15.881104+00:00" region: "CA" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # A Working Man (2025) Directed by David Ayer · 1h 56m · CHVRS 14A · Action, Crime, Thriller ## Identity A Working Man - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/a-working-man - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** a-working-man - **IMDb ID:** tt9150192 - **TMDB ID:** 1197306 - **Wikidata ID:** Q125495342 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9150192/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1197306, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125495342 **Fi1m score: 41** · Critics 43 from 21 reviews *In a sentence:* Jason Statham spends nearly two hours rescuing a kidnapped woman and waiting for people to finish talking > Jason Statham remains watchable in a rescue thriller dragged down by repeated fights, tangled plotting and leaden dialogue. David Harbour supplies welcome humour, but we cannot recommend spending 116 minutes waiting for the film to relax. ## Synopsis Levon Cade (Jason Statham) works in construction, but the kidnapping of Jenny Garcia (Arianna Rivas) draws him into a search involving human traffickers and organised crime. His skills extend beyond the building site into special-operations violence, and finding Jenny means working through the criminals connected to her disappearance. Gunny Lefferty (David Harbour) also enters the story, while Jenny resists her captors rather than simply waiting for Levon. His task is to get her out, but the men holding her belong to a wider criminal network that complicates the search. ## Review *A Working Man* is a poor action thriller with a dependable leading man and too much solemn conversation. David Ayer begins with a construction worker drawn into the search for a kidnapped woman, then rapidly falls back on familiar special-operations skills. Putting Levon Cade among people doing an ordinary job offers a promising start: the violence might interrupt a life we recognise. Instead, the construction premise is soon put aside, and Jason Statham is left to make routine rescue business worth following. He nearly manages it. Jason Statham gives Levon a degree of vulnerability without making his competence look doubtful, and that small adjustment helps. We can believe that this man has something to lose, even when the screenplay seems more interested in what he can break. His physical assurance makes the fights credible from moment to moment; the problem is how little they change our understanding of him. Arianna Rivas is another reason the film does not entirely flatten out. Her Jenny Garcia has some initiative, and the performance gives the kidnapped woman more presence than a rescue plot usually allows. David Harbour, playing Gunny Lefferty, brings welcome comic ease to a film that otherwise treats almost everything with excessive seriousness. Both performances suggest how much more engaging this could have been if David Ayer had allowed the supporting cast more room. The screenplay, credited to Sylvester Stallone and David Ayer, keeps getting in their way. Its tough-guy speeches are laboured, while the trafficking story accumulates mob complications without making the search more urgent. We were bored by the repeated confrontations because Levon’s ability to deal with them is established long before the film stops demonstrating it. At 116 minutes, there is too much dialogue explaining the criminal network and too little reason to care about its workings. Fred Raskin’s editing makes matters worse by chopping up action that needs room for us to follow the bodies. Jason Statham’s quick physical decisions ought to be the pleasure of these scenes; too often the cutting distracts from them. Shawn White’s cinematography occasionally makes this criminal world look agreeably peculiar, but the solemn conversations soon drain the fun from it. Nigel Evans’s construction setting offers the prospect of action built around a recognisable workplace, a possibility the film too readily abandons. The building site gives Levon a more interesting setting than much of the criminal business that follows. Jared Michael Fry’s music adds to the heavy mood when the film could use a little less insistence. The occasional absurd comic moment suggests a brisker, less self-important action film, but the direction keeps pulling back towards seriousness. A rescue thriller does not need to surprise us at every turn, and predictability alone would be no objection. It does need clearly staged fights, some momentum and a reason to care who gets through the next door. There are passages where the physical action does its job, and the cast deserve credit for keeping familiar material alive as long as they do. Those pleasures are brief, with another speech or another complication generally waiting behind them. Even for an evening built around watching Jason Statham hit people, we would choose something less wearying. *Fi1m score 41, published 5 October 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics find A Working Man a familiar, disappointing action vehicle, though Jason Statham’s screen presence earns praise even in several unfavourable reviews. His physical assurance and menace remain dependable attractions, with some critics also finding welcome humour and vulnerability in his performance. Supporting performances provide further relief: David Harbour’s amusing turn and Arianna Rivas’s ability to give Jenny some personality draw repeated approval. The reservations centre on predictable plotting, repetition and a solemn tone that makes the absurdity harder to enjoy. Several reviews find the film overlong, while the fights divide critics between those who enjoy their blunt force and those who find them flat or unimaginative. The spread is wide. Vulture offers the clearest dissent, celebrating the imaginative violence and unexpected feeling; The Hollywood Reporter finds the formula effective despite its length. Elsewhere, occasional comic flourishes rarely compensate for the familiar storytelling. ## Straight answers **Is A Working Man worth watching?** *A Working Man* is difficult to recommend, even for Jason Statham fans, and we score it 41 out of 100. Statham remains watchable and David Harbour supplies welcome humour, but repeated fights, tangled criminal plotting and laboured speeches make its 116 minutes feel wearying. **How long is A Working Man, and what is it rated?** *A Working Man* runs 1h 56m and is rated 14A by the CHVRS in Canada. It is an action and crime film. **Where can I watch A Working Man in Canada?** *A Working Man* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Canada, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from CA$3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is A Working Man, and is it suitable for children?** *A Working Man* has a UK 15 certificate and is unsuitable for children, with repeated fights and a kidnapping story involving human trafficking and organised crime. We find the violence repetitive rather than suspenseful, but that does not make the subject matter suitable for younger viewers or those sensitive to kidnapping and captivity. **How does A Working Man compare to Get Carter?** *A Working Man* is the weaker choice beside [*Get Carter*](https://film.one/film/get-carter), which we recommend for a tense, vicious criminal investigation with considerably less reassuring heroism. Statham offers a dependable rescue hero, while Michael Caine’s Jack Carter offers no comforting decency; the earlier film’s treatment of women is a substantial reservation. **Is A Working Man based on a true story or a book?** *A Working Man* is based on a novel by Chuck Dixon, rather than a true story. Knowing the book is not necessary to grasp the central rescue premise: a construction worker with special-operations skills searches for a kidnapped woman through a criminal network. **What should I watch after A Working Man?** After *A Working Man*, try [*Get Carter*](https://film.one/film/get-carter) (1971, Fi1m 86): A criminal investigation with nastier consequences and considerably less reassuring heroism. Then [*The Limey*](https://film.one/film/the-limey) (1999, Fi1m 80): A determined man pursues answers, with editing that makes familiar revenge business feel strange. ### Reviews we read (21) - **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (75/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film an exuberant, visually enchanting celebration of action, with a more emotional undercurrent than expected. He especially praises Jason Statham’s comic, menacing screen presence and the film’s imaginative, fairy-tale-like violence. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/a-working-man-review-jason-statham-can-fix-us.html) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Frank Scheck (70/100, inferred): Scheck finds the actioner formulaic but effective, with some repetitiveness and an overlong runtime. He singles out Jason Statham’s simmering charisma and David Harbour’s distinctive, amusing performance as highlights. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/a-working-man-review-jason-statham-david-ayer-1236172428/) - **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint are unavailable. The URL identifies a review of the specified film. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-working-man-jason-statham-movie-review-2025) - **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page appears to be a review of the specified film, but its text is inaccessible. Its verdict and any specific praise or criticism cannot be determined. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/movies/a-working-man-review.html) - **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (C+): Ehrlich finds the film absurd, sloppy action schlock that nonetheless works as a vehicle for Jason Statham’s screen persona. He praises the colorful supporting cast and the softer, more vulnerable dimension of Statham’s performance. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/a-working-man-review-jason-statham-1235111185/) - **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (50/100, inferred): Grierson describes the film as a workmanlike actioner, suggesting a competent but unexceptional verdict. The headline foregrounds Statham’s action performance, while the standfirst notes Stallone’s co-writing credit. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/a-working-man-review-jason-statham-trades-blows-for-producer-sylvester-stallone/5203309.article) - **Little White Lies**, Hannah Strong (2/2/1): Strong dismisses the film as a forgettable, humourless action slog. She singles out its baffling human-trafficking plot and repetitive violence as evidence of its weak storytelling. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/a-working-man) - **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (2/5): The critic calls it a pedestrian, overlong thriller. They fault its predictable plotting and unimaginative action choreography. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-9aiqiz/a-working-man) - **Slant Magazine**, Derek Smith (1.5/4): Smith argues the film is a monotonous, politically retrograde entry that fails to stand out among revenge films. He criticizes its treatment of PTSD and praises occasional flashes of camp and humor. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/a-working-man-review-jason-statham-david-ayer/) - **Los Angeles Times**, Amy Nicholson (30/100, inferred): Nicholson finds the film an uneven mix of solemnity and outlandish visual quirks, with its construction-worker premise quickly giving way to familiar special-ops violence. She praises Arianna Rivas for giving the kidnapped Jenny an active role and playing the improbable character with aplomb. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-03-27/working-man-review-jason-statham-david-ayre-michael-pena) - **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (30/100, inferred): Ide finds the film’s action entertaining but says its humor is buried beneath an overly serious tone. She particularly faults the ponderous dialogue and David Ayer’s portentous direction. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/30/a-working-man-review-jason-statham-levon-cade-david-ayer) - **Variety**, Peter Debruge (30/100, inferred): Debruge calls the film a competently made but forgettable rehash that relies on familiar vigilante-action formulas. He singles out Statham’s physicality and quick thinking as effective within that routine setup. [Read](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/a-working-man-review-jason-statham-1236348233/) - **The AV Club**, Brianna Zigler (25/100, inferred): Zigler finds the film tiresome, overlong, and too predictable to deliver the dumb fun it seems to promise. She singles out occasional absurd comic moments and satisfying fight choreography as brief bright spots. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/a-working-man-review) - **Time Out**, Christina Newland (20/100, inferred): The review is strongly negative, calling the action thriller dopey and weighed down by clichés. It singles out the film’s chopped-up storytelling and familiar action-movie tropes as weaknesses. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/a-working-man-review-2025) - **Empire**, John Nugent (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the film witless, tedious, and devoid of fun. Statham remains convincing on screen, but the flat action and frantic editing undermine the experience. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/working-man/) - **Eye for Film**, Andrew Robertson (55/100, inferred): Robertson finds the film more enjoyable and less regressive than its source novel, though it remains a derivative action picture. He praises Arianna Rivas for turning the missing-girl character into a person, while finding much of the action pedestrian. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/a-working-man-2025-film-review-by-andrew-robertson) - **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (50/100, inferred): Hammond finds the film a familiar, tightly paced Statham action vehicle with little depth, but says the star remains eminently watchable. He praises David Harbour’s brief change of pace as Gunny and notes that newcomer Arianna Rivas does well as Jenny. [Read](https://deadline.com/2025/03/a-working-man-review-jason-statham-russian-mob-violent-action-vehicle-1236351380/) - **/Film**, Jeremy Mathai (5 out of 10): The critic finds the film a disappointing, generic action movie that falls short of its potential. They praise David Harbour’s brief supporting turn and the film’s gonzo final act for bringing welcome warmth and levity. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1819749/a-working-man-jason-statham-movie-review/) - **HeyUGuys** (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film entertaining for fans of blunt action but ultimately hollow and lacking substance. The raw fight choreography earns praise, while the screenplay’s tough-guy dialogue is singled out for ridicule. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/a-working-man-review/) - **The Wrap** (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film formulaic and less entertaining than its predecessor. They praise the costumes and Michael Peña’s presence, while faulting the pacing and familiar action-story beats. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/a-working-man-review-jason-statham/) - **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (25/100, inferred): The review finds the thriller dull, overlong, and tonally unconvincing, with its convoluted mob subplot dragging down the story. It praises the entertaining finale, where Statham’s action finally livens things up. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a64272242/a-working-man-review-jason-statham/) ## Details - **Director:** David Ayer - **Director:** David Ayer - **Screenplay:** Sylvester Stallone, David Ayer - **Novel:** Chuck Dixon - **Cinematography:** Shawn White - **Editor:** Fred Raskin - **Music:** Jared Michael Fry - **Production design:** Nigel Evans - **Costume design:** Tiziana Corvisieri - **Producer:** Sylvester Stallone, David Ayer, Jason Statham - **Cast:** Jason Statham as Levon Cade; Jason Flemyng as Wolo Kolisnyk; Merab Ninidze as Yuri; Maximilian Osinski as Dimi Kolisnyk; Cokey Falkow as Dougie; Michael Peña as Joe Garcia; David Harbour as Gunny Lefferty; Noemi Gonzalez as Carla Garcia - **Runtime:** 1h 56m - **Certificate (CHVRS):** 14A - **Release (Canada):** 28 March 2025 - **Genres:** Action, Crime, Thriller - **Budget:** $40 million - **Box office:** $89 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdfrG2cLK58 ## Where to watch in Canada - Amazon Prime Video: streaming, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: rent CA$3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy CA$4.99, hd *Checked 2026-10-05.* Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IN, IS, IT, JP, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TH, TR, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *The Man from Nowhere* (2010): Another reluctant rescuer, with sharper action and a stronger emotional reason to fight. - *Get Carter* (1971), Fi1m 86: A criminal investigation with nastier consequences and considerably less reassuring heroism. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/get-carter.md) - *The Limey* (1999), Fi1m 80: A determined man pursues answers, with editing that makes familiar revenge business feel strange. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-limey.md) - *The Equalizer* (2014): For another apparently ordinary worker whose practical skills prove alarming to criminals. - *Riders of Justice* (2020): Danish revenge comedy that gives its damaged men more than targets to shoot. --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/a-working-man