The Union
Performance & Direction: The Union Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Union (2024) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Union features a noteworthy lineup led by Mark Wahlberg . Supported by the likes of Halle Berry and J.K. Simmons , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Union (2024) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Union
Quick Plot Summary: The Union is a Action, Comedy film that delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The narrative structure follows a classic action blueprint: establish the protagonist's world, introduce a formidable antagonist, and escalate the stakes through increasingly intense confrontations. A New Jersey construction worker goes from regular guy to aspiring spy when his long-lost high school sweetheart recruits him for an espionage mission. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it. This approach calls everyone and everything into question as the plot unfolds.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Ending Explained: The Union
Ending Breakdown: The Union concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Union reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Union?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Top Cast: The Union
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Union Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixThe Union Parents Guide & Age Rating
2024 AdvisoryWondering about The Union age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Union is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Union is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2024 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Union worth watching?
The Union is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Union parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Union identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Union?
The total duration of The Union is 109 minutes, which is approximately 1h 49m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Union
Cringe worthy isn't a phrase I use that often. That said, I feel it fits The Union, nicely. "Team USA" rules the world in this pungent mix of pro US political monolithic ideology and folksy, jokery, "aw shucks", hometown America. Yes the CIA are once again, the "good guys" (try not to laugh), inexplicably needing help from your average US working class citizen Joe, in order to save the world. The "world", in this case, being the bubble of exceptionalism, the US establishment inhabits. As a reviewer and viewer, I honestly could not stomach this. I watched about half before undeniable feelings of moral nausea overcame me and I switched it off. Is there an upside? Perhaps if you are from the US and believe all of this "somehow", then I suppose its an okay action spy thriller watch. Certainly, Mark Wahlberg is as likeable as ever and the actions not badly done, either. In summary, this might fly with certain US demographics but I don't see it playing too well, with audiences in other parts of the world, who have seen what the US establishment really stands for. I'll pass.
Good god. Can we stop making these. Bricklayer is the ultimate union guy. He's even better than the Beekeeper. I'd say the union doesn't need a Painter but even he'd be a step up from Wahlberg. Working joes unite under the banner of a bunch of rich people who pretend to be poor. Action, action, betrayal, action, success. It's fine. Truly but it doesn't matter and has no redeeming hilarity.
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/the-union-review-a-netflix-flick-that-proves-forgettable-is-worse-than-bad/ "The Union exemplifies the worst characteristics associated with the term "Netflix flick," presenting a predictable, forgettable movie that fails in almost all the essential aspects of a remarkable film. Its formulaic narrative, lack of originality, abundance of clichés, and paper-thin characters make it unable to stand out in a market saturated with similar productions. While parts of the score and individual performances offer glimpses of quality, they aren't enough to save the film from mediocrity. In the end, it's an experience that will hardly leave a lasting mark on viewers." Rating: D
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
