You probably saw the thumbnail on Netflix. It’s hard to miss. Mark Wahlberg looks slightly confused, and Halle Berry looks like she’s ready to take down a small army without breaking a sweat. It's called The Union, and honestly, it’s one of those movies that everyone seems to be watching while simultaneously telling everyone else it’s "just okay."
But there is something weirdly addictive about it.
Maybe it’s the fact that Halle Berry doesn't seem to age, or maybe it’s the blue-collar-spies-save-the-world trope that hits a specific spot for people who are tired of polished, billionaire superheroes. Either way, the movie has been a monster for Netflix. People are clicking. A lot.
What is The Union actually about?
The premise is kinda wild. Mark Wahlberg plays Mike, a construction worker in Jersey who lives a very loud, very normal life. He drinks at the same bar, works the same shifts, and hasn't really left his bubble. Then, out of nowhere, his high school sweetheart Roxanne Hall (Halle Berry) walks into his local pub.
She looks incredible. He’s smitten. They have a drink, they reminisce, and then—bam—she drugs him.
Next thing Mike knows, he’s waking up in a high-end hotel in London. It turns out Roxanne doesn't just travel for work; she works for a secret government agency called The Union. Their whole "thing" is that they aren't the CIA or the FBI. They don't recruit from Ivy League schools or military academies. Instead, they look for people with "street smarts"—construction workers, bridge builders, people who know how to fly under the radar because nobody ever looks twice at them.
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Why Roxanne needed Mike
The Union is in deep trouble. A mission in Trieste, Italy, went south, and a bunch of their agents got killed. Worse, a database containing the personal info of every Western intelligence officer was stolen. They need someone "invisible" to help get it back, and Roxanne thinks Mike is the guy.
Why? Because he’s a "nobody." He has no digital footprint. He’s just a guy from Jersey.
It's a bit of a stretch, sure. But once the training montage starts, you kinda just go with it. Halle Berry spends most of the movie being the cool, collected professional while Wahlberg plays the "fish out of water" who is surprisingly good at jumping across London rooftops.
The Halle Berry factor: Stunts and training
Halle Berry is no stranger to action. If you saw her in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, you know she can handle herself. For The Union, she didn't just show up and read lines. She actually worked out six days a week to stay in "agent shape."
There’s a real grit to her performance as Roxanne. She’s the one doing the heavy lifting while Mike is still figuring out which end of the gun to hold. Berry has mentioned in interviews that while she didn't get any major injuries on this set, her body is basically a map of past stunt accidents—broken ribs, smashed fingers, the works.
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Authentic locations (mostly)
One thing that makes the movie feel "big" is the travel. They didn't just use green screens in a parking lot in Burbank. They actually filmed in:
- London: You’ll see The Savoy hotel, Tower Bridge, and the BT Tower (which serves as the agency's HQ in the film).
- Trieste, Italy: The opening sequence was shot at the Savoia Excelsior Palace.
- Croatia and Slovenia: The team used the Istrian peninsula and Pula for some of the more rugged chase scenes.
- New Jersey: Specifically Bayonne and Jersey City. The bar where they meet, "Wilson’s," is actually a spot called Shorty’s in Bayonne.
Seeing Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg running through the streets of Piran, Slovenia, adds a layer of "prestige" to what is essentially a popcorn flick.
Why critics hated it (and why fans didn't care)
If you look at Rotten Tomatoes, the numbers for The Union are... let's say, not great. Critics called it generic, cheesy, and "uninspired." Some reviewers even labeled it "elevator music" in movie form.
But here’s the thing: it hit #1 in over 60 countries.
There is a huge gap between what a film critic wants and what someone wants to watch on a Tuesday night after a long shift. Most people aren't looking for a deep meditation on the ethics of espionage. They want to see Halle Berry kick someone through a window and Mark Wahlberg make a joke about New Jersey.
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The chemistry between them is also a point of debate. They’ve actually been friends in real life for about 30 years, and it shows. It’s not a "steamy" romance—it’s more of a comfortable, old-flame vibe. For a lot of viewers, that felt more "real" than a forced, hyper-sexualized Hollywood hookup.
Is there going to be a sequel?
Netflix loves a franchise. Given how many millions of hours people spent watching The Union, a sequel seems like a no-brainer. The ending leaves the door wide open for more missions.
The "Union" concept itself—recruiting blue-collar workers—is a goldmine for spinoffs. You could have a "Union" team in every major city. But honestly, without the Berry/Wahlberg dynamic, it might lose its charm.
Practical takeaways if you're planning to watch
If you haven't seen it yet, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Turn your brain off: Don't try to make sense of the logistics. How does a secret agency fund itself while paying "union wages"? Don't ask. Just enjoy the car chases.
- Watch for the London stunts: The rooftop parkour sequences are actually pretty well done.
- Check out the supporting cast: J.K. Simmons is great as the grumpy boss, and Jackie Earle Haley pops up as well.
- Double feature it: If you want a "Halle Berry Action Night," watch this alongside John Wick 3. The contrast between her roles is actually pretty interesting.
The Union isn't trying to win an Oscar. It’s trying to entertain you for 107 minutes while you fold laundry or eat pizza. On that front? It totally succeeds.
If you're looking for more action-packed recommendations, you might want to look into Halle Berry’s previous work in the John Wick universe or Mark Wahlberg’s other Netflix hits like Spenser Confidential. Both are currently streaming and offer a similar blend of punches and punchlines.