Director Shane Black has made a welcome return to the sharp-tongued, action-packed genre he helped define. His latest film, a crime comedy now streaming, serves as a potent reminder of his unique talent for blending wit with violence, a formula that has often been imitated but rarely matched in recent years.
The story centers on a professional thief, played by Mark Wahlberg, who is double-crossed and left for dead after a major score. His quest for revenge is complicated when his betrayer, a fellow thief portrayed by Rosa Salazar, offers him a shot at an even bigger prize. She claims her motives are altruistic, tied to toppling a dictator in her homeland, pulling the protagonist into an uneasy partnership.
To pull off the wildly elaborate heist, the thief reassembles his old crew. This ensemble includes a struggling actor brought to life with scene-stealing brilliance by LaKeith Stanfield, who provides much of the film’s comedic heart. True to the director’s signature style, the entire chaotic adventure unfolds against the backdrop of the Christmas season.
While the film is packed with large-scale, sometimes outrageously ambitious action sequences, its greatest strength lies in its writing. The dialogue is rhythmic and packed with specific, witty details that elevate scenes beyond their basic function. This stands in stark contrast to the often humorless scripts that have plagued the genre. The plot, however, can feel overstuffed, as if trying to cram one too many twists into a single narrative.
The casting delivers a mixed result. Wahlberg is serviceable in the lead, handling the physical demands well, though he doesn’t fully capture the character’s drier, more sardonic edges. The real standout is Stanfield, whose comedic timing and charisma consistently energize the film.
Ultimately, this is a satisfying return to form. It’s a film with genuine personality—a tart and entertaining cocktail of action and humor that, despite some narrative clutter, goes down very smoothly.
