Synopsis
Freelance tells the story of Mason Pettits, a former Special Forces soldier who now leads a dull life as a corporate attorney. Years before, Mason was a Special Forces soldier who suffered a medical discharge due to a botched black-ops mission in the fictional South American nation of Paldonia, where his unit was attempting to eliminate the country’s dictator, Juan Venegas. Mason lives with unending guilt and trauma of his family’s inability to reconnect with him and his inability to fully embrace a civilian life.
Mason was able to marry to Jenny, and together they have a young daughter named Casey, together as a family they may seem to have a “normal” life, but to Mason he seems unfulfilled and burdened with a haunting, calling to return to serve once more and bring closure his military life. This military purpose comes when a civilian friend, Sebastian Earle, reaches out to him for a freelance position with a private military company. His task is straightforward: to offer escort and protection to a journalist during an interview in Paldonia.
The journalist is Claire Wellington, a washed-up reporter trying to jumpstart her career. Claire now has an exclusive interview with Juan Venegas, a man trying to sell himself as a reformist after grappling with a myriad of political wars over the years. Mason, as always, is reluctantly accepting the job as a last chance to salvage something of significance.
The trio is quickly caught in a violent chaotic coup while Mason and Claire are in the helicopter with Venegas. Their helicopter gets shot down by armed forces who are loyal to Venegas’s regime. The supposed attack is a staged betrayal by Jorge Vásquez, Venegas’s nephew, and a colonel who is far too cold blooded to be trusted, Jan Koehorst.
The trio reluctantly come to collaborate out of necessity as they attempt to escape the jungle. Venegas’s charisma and cunning sides emerge as he seems to work with Mason to help him protect Claire. Claire, in the meantime, desperately begins to retain control of the narrative to regain her reputation, which in chaos, is bound to be a wild story.
While navigating the perilous region of Paldonia, battling guerrilla fighters, military betrayals, and political schemes, the characters must grapple with their past, principles, and motives. Mason and Koehorst’s climactic encounter in the presidential palace culminates in an electrifying battle. With Sebastian’s assistance, the coup is successfully thwarted.
Finally, Venegas consents to relinquishing power temporarily and is guaranteed the opportunity to campaign in open elections. Claire captures the footage she fantasized over, thus pivoting her career, and Mason returns to the states to uncovered tranquility and a secret $5 million payment from Venegas.
Cast & Crew
John Cena stars as Mason Pettits, the pivotal character of the story. He is a loyal, emotionally beaten ex-soldier pulled back into the fight.
Alison Brie portrays Claire Wellington, the headstrong and self-absorbed journalist looking to repair her public image.
Juan Pablo Raba plays as Juan Venegas, the dictator whose charismatic charm is masked with layers of menacing trickery.
Sebastian Earle, Mason’s ex-army buddy and private security shady operator, is portrayed by Christian Slater.
Alice Eve plays as Jenny Pettits, Mason’s wife who fails to comprehend the strife surrounding her husband’s internal battle.
Marton Csokas portrays the villainous Colonel Jan Koehorst who is the mastermind and the one responsible for the coup within the regime.
Freelance Review and Reception
Pierre Morel, who is best known for directing action-packed films like Taken, serves as the film’s director. Jacob Lentz, who is making his feature length film, is writing the script.
IMDb Ratings & Reception
Freelance received an average rating of 5 out of 10, suggesting a mixed-to-negative reception. Reception from the critics was fairly harsh, presenting the film as a dull and unfocused copy of Taken. After watching the film, audiences were indeed satisfied the film’s action and comedic moments, specifically John Cena’s scenes.
Despite the low rating of the film, one of the standout things about the film was the weak writing and lack of depth, the film maintain an audience and aggregate score of 60%, meaning viewer saw the film as a “guilty pleasure”. It doesn’t require a lot of thought, and delivers on explosions, chases, and surface level thrills.
Box Office Performance
Freelance was not a box office success, with a total of 2,000 theaters screening the movie, the total earnings barely surpassed 10 million as the movie was a flop and failed to dominate the box office with its expected 40 million budget.
The overall lack of success in the film can likely be attributed to a mix of minimal buzz, lackluster reviews, and competition from other releases during the fall season. However, the film still managed to do well in the home-video and streaming markets, where casual viewers searching for a light action film gave it a second chance.
Themes & Analysis
Freelance touches a range of themes, although often only superficially. Some of the most noticeable are:
The weight of unresolved conflict: Mason’s character is unable to let go of a past military failure, which serves as the film’s emotional anchor. Although his redemption arc is predictable, it is refreshingly earnest.
Modern media manipulation and redemption: The arc of the character Claire dives into contemporary journalism and the price that comes with it. Her attempt to capture the “real” story of the coup becomes her redemption arc.
The interplay of power and politics: Venegas’s character is a satire of the “charming dictator” trope. The film is making a statement on how, despite the rampant corruption, global politics is often that accompanied by a dollop of charisma.
Director Pierre Morel provides some lush visuals amidst action-packed sequences and the jungle setting provides a vibrantly rich backdrop; however, the film misses its mark as satire or character study. The comedic tone often punctures the emotional core, creating a disproportionate sense of pacing.
Conclusion
Freelance is an action comedy that straddles the line between the two genres. It falls short as a strictly action film, lacking the grit and intensity of its competitors. While providing a few good laughs, the film falters as a comedy and leans too heavily on John Cena’s charm.
For those who appreciate Cena’s style of action comedy or entertaining fast-paced flicks that require little emotional investment, Freelance provides a ride that is watchable and easily forgettable. It delves into themes surrounding redemption, integrity in media, and gamesmanship in politics, aiming for something meaningful, but chooses a straightforward path instead.
Ultimately, Freelance feels like a nostalgia trip to over-the-top ‘90s jungle action films rife with blow stuff up, last-minute rescues, and cartoonish villains. While it won’t win awards, it’s great for a popcorn movie night.
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