A WORKING MAN UNDER THE BURNING SUN
Jason Statham’s latest film, A Working Man, is based on Levon’s Trade, the first book in Chuck Dixon’s Levon Cade series. Unlike his usual high-octane action films, this movie takes a more serious approach. While I haven’t read the book yet and can’t compare the two, the film was gripping enough to make me curious about the source material.
A WORKING MAN
Levon Cade has left behind his dangerous past to work in construction, hoping for a quiet life where he can focus on being a good father to his daughter, Merry. But when his boss’s daughter, Jenny, goes missing, he is forced to return to the skills that once made him a legend in counterterrorism, having served for both the British and American forces. As Levon’s search for Jenny leads him deep into a criminal conspiracy, the stakes grow higher, threatening everything he holds dear. It’s time for him to return to his trade. And Levon’s trade is death.
I’ll share what I liked, didn’t like, and what I took away from the movie. Official critics usually don’t appreciate Jason Statham’s films, and I know that audience scores on mainstream review platforms often don’t reflect the opinions of real viewers. That’s why I’m glad I went to see the movie for myself. These days, even those who are supposed to be independent and share honest opinions seem compromised, so I don’t trust anyone when it comes to entertainment anymore.
FAMILY, COMMUNITY, LOYALTY, AND TRUST
One of the most compelling aspects of the movie is its emphasis on family and community values that seem increasingly rare in today’s world. Much like in The Beekeeper, Statham’s character, Levon, is treated like family by his boss, who owns a construction company that he manages with his wife and daughter, who treat him the same way.
His bond with his boss, Joe Garcia, extends beyond the workplace. The Garcias welcome him into their home, feeding him and treating him as one of their own. He shares a friendly, mentor-like relationship with Jenny, and his own experience as a father to Merry only deepens his determination to find her. At one point, he says something along the lines of, “If you had a daughter, you’d understand.” That line alone speaks volumes about his motivations.
When Jenny is kidnapped, her immediate family isn’t left to face the crisis alone. Everyone- extended relatives, distant cousins, aunts, and close friends- gathers in the kitchen to support them. This strong sense of community, which is especially prominent in Latino cultures, was something I truly appreciated in the movie.
The theme of loyalty extends beyond family. When Levon needs a safe place for his daughter, his old comrade and blind friend, Gunny, steps in without hesitation. The film reinforces the idea that true bonds, whether familial or forged through shared experiences, stand the test of time.
THE WEAK VILLAINS
The villains in A Working Man, particularly the Russian mafia, were a joke; I could not take them seriously, especially the “Dimi” character and the “fashion brothers, making it easy to root for the good guys.
In A Working Man, the portrayal of the Russian mafia, particularly characters like Dimi and the “fashion brothers,” as I call them, lacks depth and credibility. These antagonists often come across as caricatures, making it challenging to perceive them as genuine threats. This portrayal contrasts with more nuanced depictions of Russian gangsters in cinema, such as Nikolay Luzhin in Eastern Promises (2007) or Viggo Tarasov in John Wick (2014), where the villains are complex and formidable.
On the good guys’ side, most of the characters were likable, especially Jenny and Merry, though I found the grandfather a bit irritating. But despite these issues, the movie kept me engaged from start to finish.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-DEFENSE
A key theme in the film is the importance of self-defense, especially for women. While I may have had gym classes in primary school, that alone is no longer enough in today’s world. Girls should be taught practical self-defense techniques as life survival skills and self-awareness from an early age because the world has become too dangerous for someone with no survival skills.
The film reinforces this through Jenny, who had some training when she was younger. Her ability to defend herself proves crucial, highlighting the real-life value of being prepared for the unexpected and finding the courage to take action. Her scenes are believable, and her actions are very practical. She didn’t do anything out of the ordinary to grab attention; she was just there, enjoying the moment with her friends. Same as with her, it can happen to anyone.
Additionally, the increasing issue of biological males identifying as women and competing in female sports has led to serious concerns, including cases of indecent exposure and sexual assault. So now, even if you’re planning to have your daughter be more involved in sports, you have to be vigilant about his issue. If this problem isn’t addressed, it will only escalate. Protecting women’s spaces and assuring safety should be a priority, not an afterthought.
THE BURNING SUN CASE
While the film delivers plenty of action, the fight sequences feel raw and realistic rather than overly bombastic. But beyond the intense confrontations, A Working Man sheds light on a much darker reality: how young women are often targeted in bars and nightclubs. For me, this drew unsettling parallels to South Korea’s Burning Sun scandal.
In the Burning Sun case, it was reported that unsuspecting women attending the nightclub “Burning Sun” were drugged and sold to VIP guests for sexual exploitation, exposing the deeply disturbing reality of human trafficking and abuse within nightlife culture. The controversy intensified because the club’s owner was a member of a popular K-pop group “Big Bang” from the early 2000s, drawing significant public attention and outrage.
A Working Man highlights similar dangers, showing how even those who don’t drink and are just looking to have a good time can become victims. The film doesn’t shy away from exposing these harsh truths, making it more than just an action thriller; for me, it’s a movie with a strong social message.
Hopefully, as awareness grows among common people, tolerance for such crimes will decrease, and sentencing will become harsher. Too often, perpetrators receive just a few years in prison, like in the Burning Sun case, for crimes that destroyed the lives of the victims and their families, sometimes even leading victims to suicide. This is not justice.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Beyond its action-packed sequences, A Working Man serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in nightlife culture and the ongoing threat of human trafficking. It emphasizes the need for vigilance, personal safety awareness, and the value of community in an increasingly disconnected world.
I’ve always enjoyed Jason Statham’s movies, whether it’s the exaggeration of the Expendables, The Meg, Wrath of Man, and Spy, the irreverent Crank and Snatch, or the more thought-provoking action flicks like Revolver, The Bank Job, Safe, Homefront, and Hummingbird (Redemption).
To me, A Working Man stands out for combining gripping action with deeper themes that often get overlooked today—family, community, loyalty, and the harsh realities of human trafficking and exploitation, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre and those who care about the issues it shines a light on. The more films featuring these themes gain popularity, the more they’ll become part of everyday conversations, making them harder to ignore.
My Rating: 6.5/10
All images in this publication belong to the original creators and are used as references under fair use.
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