Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry portray former lovers rekindling their relationship in the most unconventional way—by diving into the secretive world of global espionage. That’s the premise of “The Union,” a new Netflix action-comedy that feels like a recycled version of many similar films. The movie follows a formula so predictable that finding anything truly original or inspired is a challenge. This is particularly disappointing given the strong talent involved.
Directed by Julian Farino and based on a script by Joe Barton and David Guggenheim, “The Union” sticks to a conventional storyline, never venturing into new territory with its plot or characters. The film feels like a collection of familiar tropes, offering little for the audience to connect with or remember. However, it does manage to avoid being dull—so there’s that.
The story centers on Mike (Wahlberg), a New Jersey construction worker and an everyday guy. One night, his high school ex-girlfriend, Roxanne (Berry), unexpectedly shows up at his favorite bar. After years apart, they immediately start reminiscing about their past. They even visit one of their old hangouts overlooking the city. But the reunion takes a sudden twist when Roxanne injects Mike with a tranquilizer, knocking him out—definitely not your typical trip down memory lane.
Mike eventually wakes up in London, where Roxanne reveals her true identity as a member of a secret organization called—unsurprisingly—The Union. She introduces him to Tom Brennan (played by J.K. Simmons), the head of The Union, who spends much of his screen time delivering cheesy one-liners that are supposed to sound clever. The plot thickens as we learn that Roxanne’s entire team has been killed, and vital intelligence has been stolen. To recover it, The Union needs someone with no history—an unknown figure. Mike is promised that it’s a one-time mission, after which he can return to his normal life (so much for keeping things secretive).
Mike reluctantly agrees, and after a quick training montage, he’s suddenly ready for the mission. Together, he and Roxanne must locate the place where the stolen intel is being auctioned. However, they soon discover they’re not the only ones after it. This sets the stage for most of the movie’s action sequences, with the seasoned Roxanne and the rookie Mike fending off various generic villains. Naturally, some romantic tension simmers between the two along the way.
The filmmakers toss in a couple of twists in the second half, but neither is particularly impactful. In fact, these twists feel like they’ve been lifted from other films. Several potential storylines emerge but never fully develop, leaving the movie to follow a predictable path. Despite its shortcomings, Wahlberg and Berry have decent chemistry, with a few witty exchanges and some engaging action moments. However, finding much more than that can be challenging, even for the most forgiving viewers. “The Union” is currently streaming on Netflix.
