Movies: London Calling (2025) by Allan Ungar: A bullet-riddled, heart-filled buddy comedy about fatherhood, redemption, and second chances
- dailyentertainment95
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
A hitman, a kid, and a wild ride through crime and redemption
London Calling (2025) is an action-comedy directed by Allan Ungar and co-written with Omer Levin Menekse and Quinn Wolfe. The film stars Josh Duhamel as Tommy Ward, a washed-up British hitman forced into hiding after a job gone wrong. Stranded abroad and desperate to return home to his estranged son, Tommy strikes a deal with a ruthless crime boss: babysit his awkward teenage son, Julian (played by Jeremy Ray Taylor), and “teach him how to become a man.” What follows is a chaotic, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt journey that fuses bullets with bonding. Featuring Rick Hoffman, Aidan Gillen, Arnold Vosloo, and Neil Sandilands, the film was shot in Cape Town, South Africa, doubling for Los Angeles. With its R rating, kinetic style, and heartfelt undertone, London Calling channels 80s buddy flicks with modern emotional depth.
Why to Recommend: Explosive fun with surprising heart
Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor’s chemistry: The two leads carry the movie with a perfect mix of bickering humor and father-son tenderness. Duhamel delivers one of his most charismatic performances to date, balancing deadpan comedy and emotional sincerity. Taylor shines as Julian—a nerdy, anxious teen whose innocence collides hilariously with the chaos around him.Their dynamic transforms what could have been a generic hitman story into an endearing exploration of masculinity, mentorship, and belonging.
Allan Ungar’s direction: Known for Bandit and the Uncharted short film, Ungar delivers a high-energy blend of slick action and emotional warmth. He embraces practical stunts, real explosions, and tight pacing reminiscent of Lethal Weapon and Midnight Run. His ability to balance heart with humor makes this a standout in modern action comedies.Ungar’s script also weaves clever one-liners with real vulnerability, ensuring every laugh has emotional weight.
A throwback that works: London Calling captures the spirit of classic buddy movies while updating the formula for a new generation. Its mix of violent action, heartfelt bonding, and outrageous comedy creates a rare tonal balance that feels fresh yet nostalgic.Whether you come for the shootouts or the sentiment, it delivers both in spades.
Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/london-calling-2025-1 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/london-calling-2025 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/london-calling-2025 (UK)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30425872/
What is the Trend Followed: The comeback of the buddy action comedy
London Calling continues the trend of retro-inspired action comedies making a modern return, blending nostalgia with emotional storytelling.
80s and 90s nostalgia: Echoing the energy of Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, and The Nice Guys, it reclaims the era of wisecracking duos and outrageous set pieces. The humor feels both throwback and timely.
Heart-driven masculinity: Recent hits like The Fall Guy and Bad Boys for Life paved the way for action films where vulnerability and mentorship redefine what it means to be “tough.” London Calling joins that club.
Practical effects revival: Ungar prioritizes real stunts and explosions over CGI spectacle—a growing trend in post-blockbuster filmmaking where authenticity wins audience trust.
Found family narratives: The film taps into Hollywood’s ongoing love for found-family dynamics—imperfect people forging bonds in unlikely situations.
Genre hybridization: Action, comedy, and coming-of-age elements blend seamlessly, appealing to fans of multiple genres.
Working-class antiheroes: Like John Wick and Nobody, the protagonist is flawed and weary but human—grounding spectacle in emotion.
Human comedy in violent worlds: This tonal blend, now popular among filmmakers like Guy Ritchie and Shane Black, gives London Calling its signature rhythm: equal parts chaos and charm.
Summary: London Calling revives the buddy action-comedy with an emotional twist—violence with a heart and humor with humanity.
Director’s Vision: Heart behind the crossfire
Emotional undercurrent: Ungar infuses a traditionally macho genre with empathy and humor. Beneath the bullets and banter lies a story about fatherhood, forgiveness, and second chances.
Practical, grounded filmmaking: The decision to film real stunts and pyrotechnics gives the movie grit and texture often missing from modern action films.
Nostalgia with purpose: Rather than copying 80s tropes, Ungar reimagines them—updating their emotional relevance for today’s audiences.
Performance focus: He draws natural chemistry from his leads, letting humor emerge from character dynamics, not forced jokes.
Themes: Redemption, mentorship, and found family
Fatherhood and forgiveness: The surrogate father-son relationship between Tommy and Julian mirrors broken families and lost connections. Through violence and vulnerability, both find healing.
Coming of age through chaos: Julian’s transformation from awkward teen to capable adult becomes the emotional heartbeat of the film.
Masculinity redefined: The film questions old notions of manhood, showing strength through care, humor, and self-awareness.
Second chances: Both leads are haunted by past mistakes—learning that redemption sometimes arrives disguised as responsibility.
Key Success Factors: Action with emotion
Dynamic leads: Duhamel and Taylor’s chemistry elevates the film, balancing comedy with emotional gravity.
Energetic direction: Ungar’s mix of humor, heart, and explosive set pieces keeps the pacing tight and engaging.
Balanced tone: The film never takes itself too seriously, but it never mocks its characters either—creating emotional authenticity amid chaos.
Technical execution: Impressive stunt choreography, vivid cinematography by Alexander Chinnici, and a tight edit make this indie action film look far more expensive than its budget.
Awards & Nominations: A festival favorite with action flair
London Calling received praise at festival screenings for its blend of heartfelt storytelling and high-octane energy. While early in its release cycle, it’s already being recognized for Best Action Direction and Audience Choice Awards nominations at several genre festivals. Critics have highlighted Ungar’s direction and the chemistry of its leads as standout elements.
Critics Reception: Explosive laughs, real heart
Variety: “A riotous blend of bullets and bonding—Ungar delivers one of the most fun indie action comedies of the year.”
The Hollywood Reporter: Applauded its “throwback energy and unexpected warmth,” calling it “a buddy hitman movie with a soul.”
IndieWire: “Feels like Lethal Weapon by way of About a Boy—funny, violent, and surprisingly tender.”
Metacritic: Early critical consensus trends positive, with a mid-60s score, praising humor, chemistry, and style over narrative originality.
Summary: Critics love its humor, nostalgia, and grounded heart. While predictable in places, its sincerity and energy make it a standout crowd-pleaser.
Reviews: Audiences are laughing and loving it
IMDb Users: Rated 5.7/10, with viewers praising its humor, character chemistry, and refreshing sincerity.
Letterboxd: Fans describe it as “a fun throwback with a surprising emotional punch.”
Audience sentiment: Many appreciated the practical stunts and heartfelt tone, calling it “a comedy that hits harder than expected.”
Summary: Viewers agree it’s pure entertainment—a film that delivers laughter, emotion, and explosive fun without overcomplicating itself.
Movie Trend: Retro buddy action, reborn
London Calling embraces the revival of buddy-action storytelling, where explosive set pieces meet emotional storytelling. It’s part of a broader return to character-driven spectacle—films that care as much about heart as they do about havoc.
Social Trend: Redefining masculinity with humor and heart
In a culture reexamining traditional male archetypes, London Calling fits the post-modern masculinity trend—showing men as flawed, funny, and emotionally open. It’s about mentorship, vulnerability, and growth, wrapped in action and comedy.
Final Verdict: Explosive, funny, and unexpectedly touching
London Calling is a love letter to the classic buddy-action era—reimagined for today’s audiences. With Josh Duhamel’s charismatic lead performance, Jeremy Ray Taylor’s heartwarming charm, and Allan Ungar’s confident direction, it’s an adrenaline rush with genuine heart.Verdict: A slick, funny, and emotional thrill ride that proves even hitmen can have a soft side—and that laughter and redemption make the best getaway partners.