Freelance (2023) || I Laughed But I Wasn’t Locked In

I’ll start by saying this plainly, I’m not big on action comedies. They usually do this thing where the explosions or shootouts feel too playful, the danger feels fake and I’m constantly aware that I’m watching a movie instead of being pulled into a different world. That awareness ruins the immersion for me, and I hate when a film can’t make me forget reality for even a second. So choosing to watch this film, my expectations were already low. And honestly? The film didn’t exactly change my mind about the genre but it wasn’t a complete waste either.

Synopsis

The story follows Mason Pettits (John Cena), a retired special forces soldier stuck in a dull civilian life who takes on a freelance security job protecting journalist Claire Wellington (Alison Brie) during an interview with a volatile South American dictator, Juan Venegas (Juan Pablo Raba). Predictably, things go sideways as a coup starts brewing and suddenly everyone’s running for their lives through jungles and cities.

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This is where the film leans hard into its action-comedy identity. All the chaotic chases, exaggerated shootouts, and humor placed right in the middle of danger. And while that’s exactly the kind of thing that usually pulls me out of a movie, I won’t lie, I did laugh a few times. Some of the banter hits, especially when the characters are allowed to be awkward instead of heroic. Cena, in particular, plays well against his tough-guy image, as he leans into insecurity and confusion rather than constant dominance.

That said, the action itself never felt grounded enough to hold my attention for long stretches. Nothing truly felt at stake and because of that, I couldn’t stay locked in. It actually took me two days to finish the film, not because it was confusing, but because I didn’t feel any urgency to get back to it. The danger always felt temporary, like the movie itself knew everyone would be fine by the end.

What this film does and carries well is tone. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that works in its favor sometimes. The performances are decent, the pacing isn’t terrible, and there’s an underlying idea about disillusionment, purpose and modern warfare that could have been explored more deeply. But the film never fully commits to that depth, it chooses jokes over weight almost every time. The cinematography is stunning btw.

By the end, I didn’t hate what I watched. I also didn’t love it. It sits in that middle ground of watchable but forgettable. It feels like the kind of movie you half-enjoy while scrolling your phone, chuckle once or twice, and then move on from without thinking about it again.

Rating: 5.8/10

Who Should Watch?

If you enjoy action comedies that don’t ask much of you or you’re a fan of John Cena’s self-aware humor go for it. But, if you’re like me and prefer action that is tense and feels real, this one might struggle to keep you fully engaged.

Posted Using INLEO