Honestly, the "blue-collar hero" thing is basically Mark Wahlberg’s entire brand at this point. You know the vibe. He’s usually a guy from a tough neighborhood, probably wearing a work vest, who just wants to grab a beer after a long shift. But in his latest massive hit, The Union, he takes that Jersey-shore energy and tosses it straight into the world of high-stakes international espionage.
It’s kind of wild to think about.
A construction worker becomes a super-spy? It sounds like the plot of a movie you’d find in a bargain bin in 2005. Yet, here we are in late 2025/early 2026, and people are still talking about it. The movie didn't just land on Netflix; it parked itself at the top of the charts for weeks. If you haven't seen it yet, you've probably at least seen the memes of Wahlberg trying to keep up with Halle Berry.
What Really Happens in The Union?
The premise is pretty straightforward, which is probably why it works. Mike McKenna (Wahlberg) is a guy who never really left home. He’s a construction worker in Paterson, New Jersey, living a life that’s comfortably stuck in neutral. That changes when his high school sweetheart, Roxanne Hall (Halle Berry), walks into his local bar after twenty-five years.
She’s not there for a drink. She’s there to kidnap him.
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Well, "recruit" is the word the movie uses, but she basically knocks him out and wakes him up in London. It turns out Roxanne works for The Union, a secret intelligence agency that does the dirty work the CIA and FBI can’t handle. Why do they want Mike? Because a high-level breach has compromised every known agent in the Western world. They need a "nobody." Someone with no digital footprint, no training, and enough "street smarts" to survive.
A Cast That Actually Carries the Weight
Most of these streaming action movies feel like they were made in a lab. They’re often hollow. But the chemistry here is actually decent. You’ve got:
- Mark Wahlberg as Mike: The fish-out-of-water who complains about the lack of Dunkin’ in London.
- Halle Berry as Roxanne: The veteran operative who clearly still has a soft spot for her ex.
- J.K. Simmons as Tom Brennan: The grizzled head of The Union who delivers exposition like he’s coaching a high school football team.
- Mike Colter as Nick Faraday: A fellow agent who brings some serious muscle to the screen.
The dynamic between Wahlberg and Berry is the engine of the film. It’s less about the gadgets and more about two people who missed their shot at a normal life trying to figure out if they can still work together without getting killed.
Why The Union Matters (And the Controversy)
Look, critics weren't exactly kind to this movie when it dropped in August 2024. If you check Rotten Tomatoes, the scores are... well, they're middling. Many called it "predictable" or "safe." But here’s the thing: audiences loved it.
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It hits a specific itch. We’ve had decades of "super spies" like James Bond or Jason Bourne who are essentially living weapons. The Union flips that. It suggests that a guy who knows how to fix a crane or navigate a Jersey construction site has a unique set of skills that a Ivy-League-trained CIA suit doesn't. It’s populist entertainment.
Real-World Locations and Stunts
One thing the production didn't skimp on was the budget for locations. They filmed all over London, Slovenia, and Italy. There’s a specific car chase scene in the Istrian peninsula that looks fantastic. Unlike some other recent green-screen disasters, you can tell they actually put Wahlberg and Berry on those streets.
There was a lot of buzz about the title change, too. For years, the project was known as Our Man from Jersey. Netflix eventually pivoted to The Union, likely because it sounds more like a franchise-starter. And clearly, that gamble paid off.
The Future: Is The Union 2 Actually Happening?
If you’ve finished the movie, you know it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. No spoilers, but the door is wide open. By late 2025, the chatter about a sequel has moved from "maybe" to "definitely."
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Director Julian Farino has been open about the fact that Netflix pitched this as a "three-movie idea" from the start. Both Wahlberg and Berry have gone on record saying they want to see where the relationship goes. In the first film, they intentionally held back on a big romantic payoff to keep the tension high for a follow-up.
What to Expect Next
Rumors are swirling about a 2026 production start for the sequel. If the patterns of Wahlberg’s recent projects like The Family Plan 2 are any indication, the sequel will probably lean even harder into the global travel aspect. We might see Mike finally becoming a competent agent, though it's usually funnier when he's struggling.
Actionable Insights for Fans of the Genre
If you liked The Union and you're looking for more Mark Wahlberg spy or action-comedy vibes, you should check out these specific titles:
- The Family Plan (2023): This is on Apple TV+. He plays a former elite assassin living a quiet suburban life as a car salesman. When his past catches up to him, he has to take his unsuspecting family on a "road trip" while killing mercenaries on the side.
- Spenser Confidential (2020): Also on Netflix. It’s more of a buddy-cop mystery, but it has that same "everyman vs. the system" energy.
- Mile 22 (2018): If you want less comedy and more "angry Mark Wahlberg," this is the one. It’s a brutal, fast-paced tactical thriller.
The most important takeaway from the success of The Union is that the "everyman spy" isn't going anywhere. People want to see someone they relate to—someone who worries about their mom or their mortgage—saving the world.
To get the most out of your next viewing, pay attention to the background chatter in the Paterson, NJ scenes. The movie is packed with local references that are clearly a nod to Wahlberg’s own working-class roots, even if he’s a Boston guy in real life. Keep an eye out for news on The Operator, his next confirmed Netflix thriller, which looks to follow a similar "invisible agent" path.
Next Steps:
- Watch the first film: If you haven't seen it, The Union is currently streaming on Netflix.
- Track the sequel: Follow Netflix’s official social media for the "Greenlight" announcement for The Union 2, expected to drop in the coming months.
- Check out Flight Risk: Wahlberg’s other major 2024/2025 project shows a much darker side of the action genre if you're tired of the comedy.