Freelance (2023) Movie Review: A Bland Action-Comedy that Misses the Mark – Where to Watch Online
Freelance (2023), directed by Pierre Morel, is an action-comedy that had the potential to entertain, with stars like John Cena and Alison Brie leading the cast. However, despite the $40 million budget and a premise that hints at fun adventure, the film feels disappointingly empty. What could have been a dynamic romp through a war-torn fictional country ends up a lifeless experience that fails to deliver on action, comedy, or character development.
In this review, we’ll explore why Freelance misses the mark, dissect its key elements, and discuss where you can stream the film online.
Overview of Freelance (2023)
John Cena stars as Mason Pettits, a former special ops soldier who has been out of action for a while. His life is relatively dull, marked by a troubled marriage (with Alice Eve in a small role) and memories of a mission gone wrong. Mason is soon recruited by his former boss, played by Christian Slater, for a bodyguard gig that involves escorting journalist Claire Wellington (played by Alison Brie) on a dangerous assignment to a fictional war-torn country called Paldonia. The mission is simple: Claire is to interview the country’s president, Juan Venegas (played by Juan Pablo Raba).
However, upon their arrival, things spiral out of control as an assassination attempt and subsequent coup take place, thrusting Mason, Claire, and the president into the jungle on the run. The film attempts to mix elements of action, adventure, and comedy as the trio tries to survive amidst political chaos.
Plot Breakdown: Action, Assassination, and Absurdity
The basic plot sounds like the foundation for an exciting action-adventure film. Mason Pettits, a battle-hardened but jaded ex-soldier, takes on a job as a bodyguard, only for things to go wrong in a coup, forcing him into survival mode alongside a plucky journalist and a volatile president. In theory, this should have offered plenty of room for fun action sequences, sharp banter, and genuine chemistry between the leads.
However, Freelance falls flat in nearly every category. The setup for the action is largely generic, with an assassination attempt that feels neither tense nor original. There are chase scenes, gunfights, and jungle escapes, but none of these are filmed with any flair or creativity. For a director like Pierre Morel—who gave us the intense action of Taken and District 13—this is a surprising disappointment.
Why Freelance (2023) Fails to Impress
1. Lack of Chemistry and Charisma
One of the biggest issues with Freelance is the lack of chemistry between its leads. John Cena, who usually brings a likable, larger-than-life presence to his roles, seems muted and disengaged here. His character, Mason, is given very little personality beyond being a generic ex-soldier with a traumatic past. Alison Brie, a talented actress with excellent comedic timing, struggles to make her character interesting. Their interactions feel forced and lack the spark necessary to keep the audience invested in their dynamic.
2. Flat Comedy and Action
Despite being marketed as an action-comedy, Freelance barely delivers on either front. The action scenes are predictable and lack the energy that one would expect from a director with Morel’s background. There are shootouts and chase scenes, but none are particularly memorable. The film’s humor also falls flat—most of the jokes feel half-hearted, and the script seems uninterested in actually making the audience laugh.
3. Underdeveloped Characters and Plot
Mason’s backstory as a soldier with a failed mission in his past is a trope that feels uninspired, and the film doesn’t bother to explore it in any meaningful way. Similarly, Claire Wellington’s role as a journalist on the ground in a dangerous country is reduced to generic “damsel in distress” territory. Even the fictional country of Paldonia—the setting for much of the action—feels underdeveloped and devoid of any cultural or political depth. It’s simply a backdrop for random shootouts, without any sense of real-world stakes.
4. A Recycled Formula
The movie lacks originality. It often feels like a patchwork of better action-comedies, borrowing elements from films like Romancing the Stone, The Lost City, and even Taken, but without any of the heart or craftsmanship that made those movies work. The plot is so familiar that it’s easy to predict every twist and turn long before they happen, making the viewing experience monotonous.
Where to Watch Freelance (2023) Online
If you’re still curious to check out Freelance, the film is available on a number of streaming and rental platforms in the U.S.:
1. Amazon Prime Video
You can rent or purchase Freelance on Amazon Prime Video. Rental prices typically start at $4.99, with purchase options around $14.99. The film is available in both SD and HD.
2. Apple TV
Apple TV offers Freelance for rent and purchase. Rentals are usually priced at $4.99, while purchasing the film costs around $14.99. The platform supports multiple viewing formats.
3. Google Play Movies & TV
The film is available on Google Play for rent or purchase, with rental prices starting at $4.99 and purchasing options at $14.99. It’s accessible on a variety of devices through the Google Play app.
4. Vudu
Vudu offers Freelance for both rent and purchase, with rental costs starting at $4.99 and purchasing prices around $14.99. Vudu often runs promotions, so it’s worth checking for potential discounts.
Final Thoughts on Freelance (2023)
Freelance is a frustrating film that never lives up to its potential. Despite a talented cast and a director known for his action chops, the movie suffers from a lack of energy, wit, and character development. What could have been a fun, action-packed romp through a fictional war-torn country ends up feeling like a half-hearted attempt to cash in on the action-comedy formula.
With weak action, bland humor, and uninteresting characters, Freelance is a forgettable entry in the genre, and it’s difficult to recommend unless you’re a die-hard fan of Cena or Brie. However, if you’re still curious, the film is easily accessible on major streaming platforms.
