A new action film, The Union, has arrived, and it’s not making a good impression. This Netflix production, which attempts to revive the careers of Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg, has been criticized for its lack of engaging content and unoriginal plot. While Berry’s appearance is noted as the film’s only redeeming quality, the overall execution has left audiences underwhelmed.
Directed by Julian Farino, The Union features Berry as Roxanne, a skilled spy working for a covert agency tasked with protecting the world. After a disastrous mission in Italy, the agency seeks a fresh face and Roxanne recruits her old high school boyfriend, Mike, played by Wahlberg, who leads a mundane life as a construction worker in New Jersey. Their reunion takes a bizarre turn when Roxanne sedates Mike and transports him to London, where he is thrust into the world of espionage.
The film’s premise appears far-fetched as Mike, an untrained individual, is suddenly recruited for dangerous undercover work. Motivated by the allure of adventure and financial gain, he joins the agency, although he has never left his hometown. The narrative is filled with clichés, including villains, high-stakes auctions, and action sequences that feel recycled from other films.
As Roxanne trains Mike for his first mission, the film introduces a plot involving stolen intelligence that threatens global security, yet fails to deliver any significant depth or originality. Critics have pointed out the lack of chemistry between Berry and Wahlberg, along with a script that struggles to maintain coherence or engage audiences.
Despite being an action film, The Union has been described as tedious and overly loud, lacking the excitement or humor typically associated with the genre. Overall, critics have voiced their disappointment, suggesting that this movie contributes to the stain on contemporary cinema.