Director: Pierre Morel
Starring: John Cena, Alison Brie, Juan Pablo Raba, Christian Slater
Genre: Action / Comedy / War-Thriller
Runtime: 109 minutes
Ex–Special Forces lawyer Mason Pettits (John Cena) is hired to escort journalist Claire Wellington (Alison Brie) into a fictional South American country on the verge of a coup. When their convoy is ambushed during her interview of dictator Venegas (Juan Pablo Raba), Mason must protect Claire—and the regime leader—while navigating jungle warfare and political intrigue
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John Cena’s Physicality & Tone
Cena brings a credible mix of military discipline and fish-out-of-water humor. Even critics who panned the film praised his effort to inject energy into the role . -
Juan Pablo Raba’s Charisma
Raba’s dictator-turned-comedic-foil turns out to be a highlight. Many reviews single him out for keeping the tone fun during chaotic sequences -
Practical Action Sequences
Director Pierre Morel (known for Taken) stages several action scenes—like the convoy explosion and jungle combat—with slick technique and practical effects
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Thin Script & Characters
Many critics felt the characters lacked depth. Alison Brie’s journalist role, especially, was called "stereotypical" and lacking chemistry with Cena Predictable Plot
The movie follows an all-too-familiar trope—lawyer-turned-soldier, rescue mission gone sideways. Critics say the storytelling "never breaks the mold" -
Mixed Critical Reception
With only 10% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Mixed Metacritic score (26/100), the film was largely panned by critics, though audiences seem a bit more forgiving
Despite critical reviews, many viewers found it an entertaining, if cheesy, action romp:
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One Reddit user described it as "alarmingly watchable" and praised practical stunts and Cena's surprising investmentGeneral audiences gave it a B– CinemaScore, with some calling it “fun” and “well-made for what it is” .
Freelance delivers a competent mix of military action and light comedy, buoyed by John Cena’s sincerity and Juan Pablo Raba’s standout moments. Still, the film ultimately sticks to a formulaic template—thinly written and predictable.
