The first reviews for The Union, starring Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, have arrived. Helmed by Julian Farino (best known for HBO’s Entourage), the latest spy comedy thriller revolves around a construction worker, Mike (Wahlberg), who gets roped into the chaotic and unpredictable world of espionage, thanks to his former high-school girlfriend, Roxanne (Berry).
With The Union now available on Netflix, critics have weighed in on the Mark Wahlberg film. While the movie has been praised for its comedic moments, action sequences, and the on-screen chemistry of its leads, many reviewers found the plot predictable and lacking originality. Overall, it seems to be considered a harmlessly entertaining film that fulfills expectations without breaking new ground, pretty much what we should expect from a standard Mark Wahlberg film.
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Union currently has a “rotten” score of 58%, based on 12 certified reviews. This score is likely to go down in the upcoming days.
Apart from Wahlberg and Berry, the film stars J. K. Simmons, Jackie Earle Haley, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Alice Lee, Jessica De Gouw, James McMenamin, and Lorraine Bracco. In addition to his acting role, Wahlberg also produced the film via his ‘Closest to the Hole Productions’ banner.
The Union is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the first reviews below!
'The Union' Review: Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry Star in a Standard Netflix Action Flick That Gets the Job Done https://t.co/y5Mmi0YLfM
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 16, 2024
'The Union' Review: Mark Wahlberg And Halle Berry Give This Spy Romp Chemistry, Style, And A Really Great Car Chase https://t.co/omModh4Nt8
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) August 16, 2024
Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry team up for the blandly entertaining Netflix spy comedy “The Union.” Our review: https://t.co/Sk7Uxw7iG5 pic.twitter.com/mCE5Zq4Ynv
— Crooked Marquee (crooked-marquee.bsky.social) (@CrookedMarquee) August 16, 2024
"Playing ex-flames who team up to save the world, the two leads have chemistry, but the movie lacks the personality to make their low-key screwball dynamic worth the hassle," writes Variety's Peter Debruge.
— Variety (@Variety) August 16, 2024
Read the full review of #TheUnion here: https://t.co/4WPO3BcPp4
The Union is ultimately a waste of talent and a promising concept with the miscasting of Mark Wahlberg, who has long made it his bread and butter to play average guys. With a sore lack of chemistry between Wahlberg and Halle Berry, The Union feels forced to have been made. pic.twitter.com/wPNK5qpwvT
— JoBlo Clips (@joblo_clips) August 16, 2024
As a popcorn flick, THE UNION actually kinda worked. Predictable; a carbon copy of other better-made spy action/comedy & the film never took itself too seriously. Not the best & not the worst either. Guilty pleasure fun. Mark Wahlberg & Halle Berry had a dynamic rapport#TheUnion pic.twitter.com/Ukn09kvhnd
— Rama's Screen (@RamasScreen) August 16, 2024