Coming Soon: London Calling (2024) by Allan Ungar: A Hitman's Unexpected Mentorship
- dailyentertainment95
- 7 hours ago
- 10 min read
Core Summary: Crime Boss, Reluctant Hitman, and Coming-of-Age Mayhem London Calling (2024), directed by Allan Ungar, is an action-comedy film that throws a down-on-his-luck hitman, Tommy Ward (Josh Duhamel), into an unlikely mentorship role. After a job goes wrong in the UK, forcing him to flee to LA, Tommy is compelled by his new crime boss (Rick Hoffman) to babysit and "show him how to become a man" to the boss's socially awkward teenage son, Julian (Jeremy Ray Taylor). What begins as an inconvenience quickly descends into mayhem as Tommy drags Julian along on a contract killing, leading to gunfights, car chases, and explosions, forging an unexpected bond between the two.
Summary Short: Hitman Babysits Boss's Son in Action-Comedy A British hitman on the run in LA is forced to mentor his new crime boss's awkward teenage son, leading to a chaotic and comedic coming-of-age experience amidst contract killings.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30425872/
Detailed Summary: From Job Gone Wrong to Unlikely Guardian London Calling (2024) is an American action-comedy film directed by Canadian filmmaker Allan Ungar, known for his work on action films like Bandit.
The Protagonist's Predicament: The story revolves around Tommy Ward (Josh Duhamel), a mediocre hitman who finds himself in deep trouble after "mistakenly killing the cousin of London's biggest crime boss, Darby (Aidan Gillen)." This forces Tommy to flee the UK and go on the run in Los Angeles, leaving his own son behind.
A Deal with a New Devil: Desperate to return to his son, Tommy makes a Faustian bargain with his new crime boss (Rick Hoffman) in LA. In exchange for safe passage back to the UK, Tommy must take on an unexpected, highly unconventional job: mentoring the boss's socially awkward teenage son, Julian (Jeremy Ray Taylor), and "show him how to become a man."
Forced Mentorship and Mayhem: What starts as an inconvenient babysitting assignment quickly spirals into utter mayhem. Tommy reluctantly drags Julian along on his latest contract killing, targeting a renowned assassin. This leads to a series of chaotic events, including "gunfights, car chases, and explosions," all unfolding around the unlikely duo.
Unexpected Bond: Amidst the high-stakes action and comedic mishaps, an unexpected relationship blossoms between the jaded hitman and his insecure protégé. They become "each other's lifelines," forming a tender and unlikely bond.
Genre Blend: The film blends elements of action, crime, and buddy comedy with a coming-of-age narrative for the younger character. It premiered as part of the Industry Selects program at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Plot summary
The "Job Gone Wrong": Tommy Ward, a professional hitman in the UK, accidentally kills the cousin of a powerful London crime boss, Freddy Darby. This catastrophic mistake forces Tommy to flee the country and seek refuge in Los Angeles, leaving his own son behind.
The Californian Connection: In LA, Tommy attempts to lie low but becomes entangled with a new criminal employer, Benson Abrams (Rick Hoffman). Desperate to find a way back home to his son, Tommy agrees to a peculiar deal.
The Mentorship Mandate: Abrams tasks Tommy with a seemingly simple yet profoundly impactful job: taking his socially awkward and sheltered teenage son, Julian, under his wing. Tommy is to teach Julian how to "become a man," essentially initiating him into the harsh realities of their world.
A Lethal "Ride-Along": The mentorship takes a dangerous turn when Tommy is forced to bring Julian along on a contract killing – the target being a notorious assassin. This "simple ride-along" quickly descends into escalating chaos.
Action and Comedy Intersect: The duo finds themselves in the midst of "gunfights, car chases, and explosions," as Julian gets a firsthand, extreme education in Tommy's violent profession. The humor arises from the juxtaposition of the seasoned hitman's world with the teenager's awkward immersion into it.
Forming an Unlikely Bond: As they navigate the mayhem, Tommy and Julian, initially brought together by force, begin to rely on each other. Their shared experiences in perilous situations forge an unexpected and perhaps tender bond, transforming their forced association into a genuine connection.
Director's Vision Canadian filmmaker Allan Ungar, with a background in action films like Bandit (also starring Josh Duhamel), brings a vision for London Calling that merges high-octane action with comedic and character-driven elements.
"Léon with Punchlines": Ungar's vision can be summarized as taking a premise akin to Léon: The Professional (a hitman with a young protégé) and injecting it with significant comedic elements. He aims for an "offbeat crime-comedy thriller" that balances "melodrama or action-heavy stakes" with laughs.
Tonal Gamble: The director consciously embraces the "tonal gamble" of blending dark crime elements with a coming-of-age, father-figure dynamic, aiming for something "loud, irreverent, and strangely tender."
Doubling Locations: A significant aspect of the production vision involved cleverly doubling locations. Ungar and his team impressively shot the film entirely in South Africa (Cape Town), successfully making it look like both London and Los Angeles. This involved meticulous attention to street architecture, signage, and even recreating specific California iconography like the Pacific Coast Highway. Ungar humorously admits to having "a track record as the guy who has to cheat things in the most absurd way."
Authentic Pace: Ungar credits the South African crews for their "work ethic and the pace," which facilitated a productive shoot, despite learning to adapt to local filming practices (e.g., 10-hour days).
Character-Driven Action: While promising "feature-length mayhem" with "gunfights, car chases, and explosions," the core of Ungar's vision lies in the development of the "down-on-his-luck contract killer and his insecure protégé" becoming "each other's lifelines."
Themes
Unlikely Mentorship/Parenthood: A central theme is the unexpected father-figure relationship that develops between a hardened hitman and a socially awkward teenager, exploring how responsibility can force growth in unexpected ways.
Redemption and Second Chances: Tommy's journey to return to his own son and his forced mentorship of Julian can be seen as a path towards redemption for his past mistakes.
Coming-of-Age in Extreme Circumstances: Julian's initiation into adulthood occurs not through conventional means but through exposure to extreme violence and criminal life, challenging his sheltered upbringing.
Found Family: Despite their unconventional circumstances, Tommy and Julian form a bond that transcends their initial forced association, highlighting the idea of chosen connections.
Consequences of a Criminal Life: The film explores the repercussions of a life of crime, forcing Tommy to constantly flee and make difficult choices.
Action-Comedy Juxtaposition: The inherent comedic theme of contrasting a serious, dangerous profession with absurd and humorous situations.
Key success factors
Chemistry of the Leads: The dynamic and comedic chemistry between Josh Duhamel (Tommy) and Jeremy Ray Taylor (Julian) will be crucial for the film's success.
Balance of Action and Comedy: Effectively blending high-stakes action sequences with genuine humor is vital, avoiding being too serious or too silly.
Allan Ungar's Direction: Ungar's track record with action and his ability to double locations effectively are key, as is his vision to deliver a film that's both thrilling and funny.
Originality of the Premise: While drawing on established tropes, the specific "hitman babysitting crime boss's son" twist offers a unique angle.
Audience Reception to Genre Blends: The film's success will depend on how audiences respond to its mix of crime, action, and coming-of-age comedy.
Effective Marketing: Trailers need to clearly convey the film's tone and the comedic potential of its unique premise.
Summary Short: Festival Premiere, Theatrical Release in 2025 London Calling (2024) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival's Industry Selects program in September 2024. It is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on September 19, 2025, and has secured distribution in the UK and Ireland. Specific critical reception and awards information are not yet widely available.
Awards and Nominations As a 2024 film that premiered in September 2024 and has a theatrical release scheduled for September 2025, London Calling has not yet had sufficient time to accumulate major awards or nominations. Its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the Industry Selects program is a significant industry recognition, but this section typically highlights films seeking distribution rather than competitive awards.
Critics Reception As London Calling (2024) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 and has a theatrical release scheduled for September 2025, widespread critical reviews are not yet readily available.
Early Trailer Reactions: The first trailer, released in June 2025, has been described as "loud, irreverent, and strangely tender." Early commentary suggests interest in the "hitman-babysitter twist" and the film's "tonal gamble" of blending crime with awkward parenting.
Director's Background: Allan Ungar's previous work, particularly Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping and Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, is cited as a good sign for the film's comedic quality.
Intrigue from Premise: The premise, likened to "Léon with punchlines," is generating curiosity.
Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Formal critical reception is pending the film's widespread release. However, early reactions to the trailer and industry commentary suggest a film that aims for an entertaining blend of action and comedy, leveraging its unique premise and the talents of its cast and director.
Reviews As London Calling (2024) is an upcoming theatrical release, comprehensive audience and critic reviews are not yet widely available. The available information primarily consists of reactions to the teaser trailer and promotional materials.
Trailer Commentary: Reviewers of the trailer have expressed intrigue, noting the "offbeat" and "strange" premise. Phrases like "loud, irreverent, and strangely tender" from FilmoFilia indicate a unique tone.
Anticipation for Duhamel: Josh Duhamel's performance is anticipated to be a key draw, with his ability to blend action and comedy.
Genre Appeal: The film is expected to appeal to those who enjoy action-comedies with an unconventional twist.
Overall Summary of Reviews: While full reviews are pending release, initial reactions are cautiously optimistic, focusing on the film's intriguing premise and the potential for an entertaining blend of action and comedy.
Box Office London Calling (2024) is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on September 19, 2025, distributed by Quiver Distribution. It was screened as part of the Industry Selects program at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. As of June 2025, there are no official box office figures available, as the film has not yet been released to the general public. As an independent action-comedy, its box office performance will depend on its limited release strategy and subsequent digital performance.
Production Summary London Calling (2024) is an American action-comedy film directed by Allan Ungar, with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. The screenplay was written by Omer Levin Menekse, Quinn Wolfe, and Allan Ungar. The film is produced by Allan Ungar, Ryan Winterstern, Nathan Klingher, and Apur Parikh, with Delon Bakker, Kyle Ambrose, and Mogambury Pather also listed as producers. The main cast includes Josh Duhamel (Tommy Ward), Jeremy Ray Taylor (Julian), Rick Hoffman (Benson Abrams), and Aidan Gillen (Freddy Darby). Production companies are Mannequin Films and Short Porch Pictures. Filming took place in Cape Town, South Africa, in December 2023, doubling for both London and Los Angeles. Cinematography by Alexander Chinnici.
Production companies
Mannequin Films
Short Porch Pictures
Sales companies
Highland Film Group (Sales agent, as listed on their website)
Signature Entertainment (Acquired distribution rights for UK and Ireland)
Distribution companies
Quiver Distribution (Theatrical distribution in the United States)
Signature Entertainment (Distribution in the United Kingdom and Ireland)
Release date on streaming Information about a specific streaming release date for London Calling (2024) is not yet available. It is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 19, 2025, and streaming availability would typically follow several months after its theatrical window.
Theatrical Release London Calling (2024) had its industry premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 7, 2024, as part of the Industry Selects program. It is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in the United States on September 19, 2025, by Quiver Distribution.
Why to recommend this movie
Unique Premise: The "hitman-babysitter" concept offers a fresh twist on the action-comedy genre, blending dark humor with unexpected heartwarming moments.
Dynamic Duo: The pairing of Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor promises an entertaining comedic and emotional dynamic.
Allan Ungar's Style: Directed by a filmmaker known for engaging action sequences and sharp comedic timing.
Genre Blend: It appeals to audiences who enjoy a mix of action, crime, and coming-of-age stories.
Escapist Fun: The film seems poised to deliver a high-energy, fun, and irreverent cinematic experience.
Why to Watch Movie
Love Action-Comedies: If you enjoy films that combine thrilling action with laugh-out-loud humor.
Curiosity about the Premise: If the unique "hitman forced to mentor a crime boss's son" concept intrigues you.
Fan of the Cast: To see Josh Duhamel in a leading action-comedy role and Jeremy Ray Taylor in a new light.
Seeking Lighthearted Crime: If you're looking for a crime film with a strong comedic slant rather than pure grit.
Enjoy Unexpected Bonds: To witness the development of an unlikely friendship amidst chaotic circumstances.
Movie Trend London Calling (2024) fits squarely into the "Action-Comedy with a Twist" trend, specifically leveraging the "Unlikely Duo/Buddy Comedy" trope within a criminal underworld setting. It also aligns with the ongoing trend of "Dark Comedies" that find humor in perilous or morally ambiguous situations. The mentorship aspect, particularly with a younger character, connects it to "Coming-of-Age narratives," even within an adult-oriented genre. The film's production in South Africa, doubling for other locations, also reflects a trend in international co-productions utilizing diverse filming locations for cost and aesthetic reasons.
Social Trend The film subtly touches on the social trend of "Redefining Masculinity" by exploring a hitman's forced role in "showing a teenage boy how to become a man," potentially challenging traditional notions of toughness and demonstrating that mentorship can come from unexpected sources and circumstances. It also reflects a broader societal interest in "Unconventional Family Units" or "found families," as the relationship between Tommy and Julian develops beyond a mere professional obligation. The criminal setting, while fictionalized, plays into general societal fascinations with the "Underworld and Morally Ambiguous Protagonists."
Final Verdict London Calling (2024) appears to be a high-energy and uniquely engaging action-comedy. Allan Ungar's direction promises a thrilling ride, while the unconventional pairing of Josh Duhamel's hitman and Jeremy Ray Taylor's awkward protégé creates a compelling blend of humor and unexpected emotional depth. With its intriguing premise and a cast ready to deliver, this film is poised to be an entertaining watch for audiences looking for a fresh take on the crime-comedy genre.
Recommendations for film makers
Embrace High-Concept Pitches: Learn from London Calling's "hitman-babysitter" premise how a strong, unique core concept can drive an action-comedy.
Master Tone Blending: Study how Allan Ungar navigates the balance between action, dark humor, and a heartwarming mentor-protégé relationship to avoid tonal inconsistencies.
Leverage Location Doubling: Explore how clever location scouting and production design (like doubling Cape Town for London and LA) can efficiently achieve ambitious cinematic settings.
Focus on Character Arc in Genre Films: Even in action-comedies, investing in character development and unexpected bonds can add significant depth and audience appeal.
Prioritize Chemistry in Duo Casts: The success of buddy comedies hinges on the dynamic between the leads; prioritize casting actors with strong, natural chemistry.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Invest in Mid-Budget Action-Comedies: Recognize the market for well-crafted, original action-comedies that aren't necessarily tentpole blockbusters but offer fresh concepts and entertainment.
Support International Co-productions: Encourage diverse filming locations and collaborations, as demonstrated by the film's South African shoot, which can offer production efficiencies and unique aesthetics.
Champion Directors with Distinct Voices: Continue to give opportunities to filmmakers like Allan Ungar who show a clear vision for blending genres and delivering engaging stories.
Promote Unique Pairings: The unexpected casting of established actors in new comedic contexts can generate significant buzz and audience interest.
Recognize Festival Market Value: Understand that screenings in industry sections of festivals like TIFF are crucial for generating sales and distribution deals for independent films.
Final Conclusions London Calling (2024) looks set to be an exciting and original entry in the action-comedy genre, offering a fresh twist on the buddy-comedy trope within a high-stakes criminal world. Allan Ungar's vision promises a film that is both thrilling and genuinely funny, driven by the unexpected dynamic between its leads. With its intriguing premise and a strong creative team, this movie is an anticipated watch for those seeking entertaining action and unexpected heart.
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