The Union review: Not just another spy film

The Union, starring Mark Wahlberg as Mike and Halle Berry as Roxanne, just dropped on Netflix, and it's stirring up quite the conversation because it isn't a typical spy flick, and it got a twist that makes every viewer sit up a bit straighter on the couch.

The hook in the film is grounded take on espionage, think less tuxedo and martini and more hard hat and lunch pail. Wahlberg's character, a construction worker turned reluctant spy, and Berry's character, his high school sweetheart turned secret agent, provide a personal touch to the high stakes of the international spy genre movie.

The film’s charm lies in its ability to feature intense action sequences with the messy and unfinished business of Mike and Roxanne's past relationship. The core of the film beats around their reconnection amid the chaos of spy missions making their journey about saving the world along with saving what might have been between them.

It’s clear that the movie aims to shake up the spy genre by rooting its high-flying action in the reality of everyday people, which made the whole ordeal surprisingly relatable.

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The Union: Unconventional heroism

A still from The Union (Image via Netflix)

The movie breaks the mold with its protagonist, Mike McKenna, who is a construction worker and got entry into the spy world, which is as unexpected to him as it is to us. The choice is a clever deviation from the polished, ever-capable spies everyone is accustomed to seeing. Mike’s everyman persona, complete with a rough-around-the-edges demeanor and a realistic reaction to danger, creates a sense of authenticity that’s often missing in spy thrillers.

Meanwhile, Roxanne, who is played with a deep mix of toughness and vulnerability by Halle Berry, was not there just to rekindle an old flame. She was a driven agent whose past with Mike complicated her professional and personal decisions, and their dynamic, rich with history and tension, provided a robust foundation for the emotional stakes of the film.

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The Union: Action meets authenticity

A still from the film (Image via Netflix)

While The Union offers its fair share of adrenaline-pumping moments, it is the way these sequences are grounded in reality that stands out. The action is strategic, with each set piece revealing more about the characters’ capabilities and psychological states, which makes them spectacular.

The film eschews over-the-top gadgets and implausible escapes for brawls and chases that feel gritty and strenuous that echo the characters’ blue-collar backgrounds. And the particular approach keeps the tension of the film off the roof along with keeping the viewer anchored in the film’s reality, where every punch feels consequential and every escape is earned that makes the stakes feel real and immediate.

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The Union: Plot twists and character betrayals

A still from The Union (Image via Netflix)

At the heart of the movie is a plot ripe with betrayals and secrets, with Nick Faraday’s (Mike Colter) deception acting as the linchpin for the film's climax. The revelation that Nick faked his death and turned against his comrades injects a visceral shock to the plot that effectively shifts the film’s direction.

The particular plot twist is handled with finesse that runs throughout earlier subtle hints, resulting in a payoff that feels both surprising and inevitable. It challenges the characters' loyalties and moral alignments and drives home the theme that in the spy world, trust is both a necessity and a luxury few can afford.

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The Union: Cinematic execution and direction

A still from The Union (Image via Netflix)

Julian Farino’s direction in the movie brings a meticulous balance of action and emotion, which makes sure that scenes resonate with tension and tenderness in equal measure. The pacing is tight, with each scene building upon the last to escalate the plot effectively.

The cinematography complements the plot with close-ups that capture the raw emotions of the characters and wide shots that spotlight the isolation or danger they face. The visual style coupled with a soundtrack that points out the film’s suspense and drama crafts a cinematic experience that's both engaging and thought-provoking, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats while deeply invested in the characters’ fates.

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The Union is available on Netflix to stream.