A veteran assassin is forced into an unusual mentorship in a new action-comedy that struggles to balance its violent premise with consistent humor. The film pairs a washed-up hitman with his crime boss’s sheltered son for a crash course in contract killing.
After botching a high-profile job in London, Tommy finds himself stranded in Los Angeles and desperate to return home. His employer presents an unconventional solution: if Tommy can transform the man’s video game-obsessed son, Julian, into a competent killer, all past mistakes will be forgiven.
The assignment proves more challenging than expected. Julian prefers fantasy role-playing games to real-world violence, requiring Tommy to drag him away from imaginary quests and into the dangerous world of professional assassination. Their first mission together involves eliminating a legendary hitman who’s recently found religion and may expose criminal secrets.
While the film demonstrates technical competence with stylish action sequences reminiscent of recent genre hits, its comedic elements frequently miss their target. The script aims for dark, irreverent humor but often settles for juvenile jokes and self-satisfied writing that undermines the promising premise.
The lead actors manage to create some chemistry despite the uneven material. Their contrasting personalities—the weary professional versus the naive gamer—generate occasional sparks, particularly in scenes where their cultural references clash during criminal operations. The younger actor brings a natural charm that helps ground the more outrageous scenarios, while other cast members deliver performances that range from exaggerated to underdeveloped.
The film’s central concept shows potential, and certain action set pieces demonstrate directorial flair. However, the inconsistent tone and underdeveloped humor prevent the movie from fully capitalizing on its intriguing setup. The result is a crime comedy that delivers occasional entertainment but falls short of its ambitions.
The production becomes available through digital retailers this week, with physical media release following shortly after.
