Sometimes a movie doesn’t quite know what it wants to be, and that’s both the strength and weakness of Allan Ungar’s latest film, London Calling. On paper, it’s a crime story about a burned-out hitman who flees the UK after a job gone wrong, only to end up working for a new crime boss. His assignment? Not another hit, but babysitting the boss’s awkward teenage son and teaching him how to “become a man.” What follows is part buddy comedy, part coming-of-age story, and part slapstick shoot-’em-up.
Josh Duhamel stars as the tired, reluctant assassin, and he’s excellent in the role. Duhamel’s natural charm and talent for blending toughness with humor shine through, and here he gets to showcase both. Alongside Jeremy Ray Taylor, who plays the boss’s son, they share an undeniable chemistry that grounds London Calling. Their odd-couple dynamic results in some of the most fun moments—whether it’s Duhamel’s frustration with Taylor’s clumsiness or the boy’s continual references to his live-action role-playing hobby. Taylor adds sincerity to the role, preventing it from becoming one-dimensional, and together they form the heart of the film.
The supporting cast is just as strong, even if their characters rely heavily on clichés. Rick Hoffman, in particular, delivers his scenes with energy, but too often the script depends on typical crime-movie archetypes instead of creating anything new. Still, the actors give committed performances, and their efforts raise London Calling beyond what it might have been otherwise.
That said, the film’s tone can be jarring. Sometimes, it explores darker themes of violence and morality; other times, it shifts into slapstick humor. The inclusion of an 18-year-old hitman-in-training who also plays a fantasy role-player is amusing in spots, but it clouds the film’s identity. Are we watching a gritty crime story or a silly buddy comedy? The answer seems to change from scene to scene.
For me, London Calling lands somewhere in the middle. It’s not a great film, but it’s far from terrible. It’s entertaining enough, mostly thanks to the charisma of its leads and the dedication of the cast. If you go in expecting something light, with moments of genuine fun and playful banter, you’ll probably enjoy it. Just don’t expect anything groundbreaking—the story is silly, the plot familiar, and the tone uneven. Still, Duhamel and Taylor make it worth the ride.