Jason Statham’s latest movie has effectively launched a new wave of success on Rotten Tomatoes, contributing positively to his reputation as an action star. A familiar face in the genre, Statham has appeared in numerous blockbuster franchises, such as Fast & Furious, The Meg, Crank, The Transporter, and The Expendables. Collectively, his films have grossed an impressive $8.4 billion globally, with Furious 7 (2015) standing as the pinnacle of his achievements, amassing $1.512 billion worldwide.
Despite his commercial success, the critical reception of Statham’s films has been mixed. While he boasts several films with “Fresh”ratings—some even achieving “Certified Fresh”status like Furious 7 (82%) and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (75%)—his less favorable reviews outnumber the positive ones. Currently, he holds 32 negative ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, with scores ranging from 59% for Safe (2012) to a dismal 4% for In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007).
A Working Man’s Popcornmeter Score Kicks Off An Incredible Streak
A Hit Among Audiences on Rotten Tomatoes
The newly released film A Working Man, directed by David Ayer, features Statham as a construction worker drawn into a kidnapping scenario. Early projections suggest that the film will take the top spot at the domestic box office, surpassing Disney’s Snow White during its second weekend in theaters. However, critics have not been as kind, as the film currently holds a disappointing 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting mixed reviews. Notably, Mary Kassel from ScreenRant gave it a 5 out of 10, highlighting some unresolved plot lines and suggesting potential for future sequels. Her review excerpt notes:
It doesn’t take an active imagination to see where the future of A Working Man is going. A few plots are left unresolved. Levon still has to win custody of his young daughter, paving the way for a sequel or two if the film makes a profit. Statham has proved himself an asset at the box office, and when it comes to movies like A Working Man, a critical reception has little to do with the project’s performance. It’s a mindless good time, and I’ll be interested to see where the franchise goes.
With its release, A Working Man has already begun to amass an impressive audience response, achieving a remarkable 92% score based on over 250 user reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. This score significantly eclipses the critics’ rating by nearly 40 points. While critics offered an average evaluation of 5 out of 10, audience feedback has averaged a commendable 4.2 out of 5.
Implications for A Working Man
Jason Statham is on a Winning Streak
The impressive audience score for A Working Man signifies a considerable moment for Jason Statham, marking his second consecutive film to garner a Popcornmeter rating of 90% or higher. This follows his earlier project with Ayer, The Beekeeper, which achieved a staggering 92% score. Notably, this achievement spots these two films among only five of Statham’s projects that have reached the coveted 90% milestone, alongside the critically appreciated Wrath of Man (2021), which also holds a Verified Hot status at 90%.
For more information on the film and its scores, visit Rotten Tomatoes.