Look, let’s be real for a second. Most people wrote off the Vince Vaughn era of mid-2010s comedies as a string of "just okay" movies that you’d maybe catch on a flight or while folding laundry. But if you actually sit down to watch Unfinished Business 2015, you’ll realize it’s a weird, chaotic, and surprisingly heartfelt time capsule of a specific corporate era. It isn't just a movie about a business trip gone wrong. It’s basically a fever dream of European nightlife mixed with the soul-crushing reality of being a small-business owner trying to survive in a world of giants.
Vince Vaughn plays Dan Trunkman. He’s a guy who quits his job because his boss (played by a wonderfully icy Sienna Miller) tries to cut his commission. He starts his own firm, Apex Select, and ends up with two "associates" who are, frankly, the last people you’d want on a high-stakes deal. There’s Timothy McStephens (Tom Wilkinson), who is essentially waiting for his life to start while his marriage falls apart, and Mike Pancake (Dave Franco), a character so pure and socially confused that you can’t help but root for him.
The movie didn't exactly set the world on fire at the box office. Critics weren't kind. But honestly? They kinda missed the point.
Why the Critics Were Wrong About the 2015 Flop
When you watch Unfinished Business 2015 today, the humor hits differently. Back then, people wanted another Wedding Crashers. They wanted rapid-fire dialogue and high-energy slapstick. What they got instead was a director, Ken Scott, trying to balance R-rated raunchiness with a very real, very relatable story about a dad trying to provide for his kids.
The film follows this trio to Germany. They’re there to close a "handshake deal" that keeps moving the goalposts. It captures that specific, nauseating anxiety of corporate travel. You know the feeling. You’re in a foreign city, you haven’t slept, you’re eating weird food at 3:00 AM, and your entire livelihood depends on a guy who doesn't even remember your name.
The plot goes off the rails in Berlin. They end up in the middle of a massive G8 summit protest, a fetish festival, and a series of increasingly bizarre nightclubs. It’s loud. It’s messy. But beneath the "glory hole" jokes—yes, that’s a real plot point—is a story about Dan trying to prove to his son that being a "loser" is just a label people use when they’re afraid of you.
The Dave Franco Factor
Dave Franco’s performance as Mike Pancake is arguably the best thing about the movie. It’s not just a "dumb guy" role. There’s a sincerity to Pancake that anchors the film. While Vaughn is doing his classic fast-talking routine, Franco provides the heart. If you decide to watch Unfinished Business 2015, pay attention to how he reacts to the world around him. He’s overwhelmed, sure, but he’s also the only one who isn’t cynical. In a movie about cutthroat business tactics, having a character named Pancake who just wants to do a good job is a nice touch.
The Reality of Small Business vs. The Corporate Machine
One reason this movie resonates more now than it did a decade ago is its portrayal of the "little guy." Dan Trunkman isn't a tech genius. He isn't "disrupting" an industry with AI or some fancy app. He sells metal shavings. Or swarf. It’s boring. It’s unglamorous.
When he goes up against Chuck Portnoy (Sienna Miller), he’s up against a machine that has infinite resources. The movie nails the power dynamic. It shows how big corporations don't just out-compete small businesses; they try to exhaust them. They make them wait in lobbies. They change the meeting time at the last minute. They make them fly coach to Europe just to tell them "maybe next week."
People who have actually worked in sales or procurement will find these scenes painfully accurate. The humor comes from the absurdity of the obstacles. At one point, the trio has to stay in a "youth hostel" that is actually a piece of performance art where they have to live in glass boxes. It’s a literal manifestation of how exposed and ridiculous you feel when you’re desperate for a win.
A Cast That Deserved Better
Take a look at this roster.
- Vince Vaughn: The anchor. He’s playing a more grounded version of his usual persona.
- Tom Wilkinson: A legendary dramatic actor doing high-concept comedy. Seeing him navigate a German "sex club" is a sight to behold.
- Sienna Miller: She plays the antagonist with a sharp, corporate edge that feels very real.
- Nick Frost: He pops up as a British businessman with some... interesting hobbies.
- James Marsden: Always great at playing the polished, handsome guy who is actually a bit of a jerk.
It’s a powerhouse lineup for a movie that mostly got dumped in theaters in March.
Technical Specs and Where to Watch
If you’re looking to watch Unfinished Business 2015, it’s widely available on most VOD platforms. It’s the kind of movie that fits perfectly on a Friday night when you want something that doesn't require a PhD to follow but still has some meat on its bones.
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The cinematography by Oliver Stapleton is actually quite good for a comedy. Berlin looks cold, industrial, and intimidating. The contrast between the sterile corporate offices and the neon-soaked underground of the city helps drive home Dan’s fish-out-of-water status. It was produced by New Regency and distributed by 20th Century Fox, carrying an R rating for "strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, and language." They definitely earned that rating.
Is It Actually Funny?
Humor is subjective. Let’s be honest. Some of the jokes feel a bit dated. The "Pancake" name gag is repeated often. The physical comedy can be hit or miss. But the banter between the three leads is where the gold is. The chemistry feels earned. By the time they’re sprinting through the streets of Berlin, you actually care if they get to the meeting on time.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Viewing
Don't go into this expecting a masterpiece. It’s not The Wolf of Wall Street. It’s not even Dodgeball. It’s a mid-tier studio comedy that has more on its mind than it lets on.
- Ignore the Rotten Tomatoes score. It’s sitting at around 12%, which is frankly criminal. It’s at least a 50% movie.
- Focus on the father-son subplot. It gives the ending a lot more weight.
- Watch for the cameos. There are several faces you’ll recognize from other 2010s hits.
The film deals with the idea of "unfinished business" in two ways. There’s the literal deal they need to close, and then there’s the personal baggage each man is carrying. Tom Wilkinson’s character is dealing with a divorce he doesn't want. Dan is dealing with the guilt of being an absent father. Mike is dealing with... well, being Mike.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Movie Night
If you're ready to watch Unfinished Business 2015, here is how to handle it:
- Check Streaming Availability: It frequently rotates on platforms like Max, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. If it's not on a subscription service, it's usually a cheap $3.99 rental on Apple TV or Vudu.
- Double Feature It: Pair it with The Internship for a Vince Vaughn "career comeback" marathon. Or, pair it with EuroTrip if you want to see how much the "Americans in Europe" trope has evolved (or stayed the same).
- Look Past the Raunch: Pay attention to the scenes where Dan is talking to his kids over Skype. Those are the most honest moments in the film and explain why he’s willing to endure the madness of the trip.
- Research the Director: Ken Scott also directed Starbuck and its American remake Delivery Man. He has a knack for finding the "heart" in high-concept premises, even if the execution gets a little messy along the way.
Ultimately, the movie reminds us that business isn't just about numbers or contracts. It’s about the people who are willing to show up, stay in the glass box, and keep fighting when everyone else tells them to go home. It’s a messy, imperfect, loud, and occasionally gross movie—much like life itself.