Freelance has unfortunately fallen short of expectations. Director Pierre Morel, known for his past successes with action films like Taken and Peppermint, delivers a lackluster and confused film that fails to fit into any particular genre. The screenplay, written by Jacob Lentz in his feature debut, is filled with contradictory dialogue and forgotten plotlines, making for a messy and disjointed viewing experience. It seems that no one involved in the production truly understands the vision of the movie they are creating. While some disaster films can be entertaining in their chaos, Freelance lacks the charm and excitement needed to make it enjoyable.
The film stars John Cena as Mason Pettits, an ex-special forces operative who becomes a disillusioned lawyer after being wounded in combat. Searching for a new sense of purpose, Pettits takes on a private-security contract. However, the film’s opening scenes, featuring a first-person introduction narrated by Cena, fail to engage the audience. The attempt at military propaganda and humor falls flat, as the film’s dry sense of humor lacks both wit and slapstick comedic elements.
The film further falters with its poorly developed characters and inconsistent plot. Alice Eve’s portrayal of Pettits’ wife is inconsistent and lacks depth, while Alison Brie’s character, Claire Wellington, a celebrity gossip journalist, fails to make a meaningful impact. The introduction of President Juan Venegas, played by Juan Pablo Raba, should have added tension and drama to the story, as Pettits blames Venegas for a past incident. However, Lentz’s screenplay fails to capitalize on these storytelling dynamics, leaving the audience unsatisfied and disconnected from the characters.
Freelance suffers from numerous technical shortcomings as well. The cinematography, reminiscent of GoPro footage, is visually unappealing, and the digital effects are poorly executed. The action sequences lack creativity and fail to inspire excitement. Stunt doubles are easily recognizable, green-screened backgrounds feel artificial, and the sets lack detail and realism. Overall, the visual composition of Freelance is flat and lacks the visual impact expected from a film of this genre.
The only redeeming qualities come from the performances of John Cena and Juan Pablo Raba, who manage to inject some charm into their poorly written characters. However, their chemistry, particularly in the romantic storyline, falls short, leaving their on-screen relationship unconvincing. Lentz and Morel’s inability to sustain a cohesive and engaging narrative further undermines the potential of the film. While the film attempts to touch on themes of corporate greed and political unrest, it does so in a shallow and ineffective manner, using them as mere backdrops for mindless action.
Freelance is a frustrating viewing experience that fails to establish its identity. It constantly shifts between different genres, from a self-serious political commentary to a buddy comedy and a romantic drama, without committing to any of them. This lack of direction is evident in every aspect of the film, from the writing to the editing. The film’s inability to provide satisfying conclusions or meaningful character development only adds to the disappointment. With its shallow portrayal of complex issues and lackluster execution, Freelance falls short of being an engaging and memorable film.