WFG RATING: A-

Quiver Distribution presents a Mannequin Films production in association with Short Porch Pictures. Directed by Allan Ungar. Produced by Kyle Ambrose, Delon Bakker, Mark Fasano, Julia Sandberg Hansson, Nathan Klingher, Apur Parikh, Allan Ungar, and Ryan Winterstern. Written by Allan Ungar, Quinn Wolfe, and Omer Levin Meneske. Cinematography by Alexander Chinnici. Edited by Richard Starkey and Jeff Seibenick.

Stars Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Rick Hoffman, Aidan Gillan, Neil Sandilands, Arnold Vosloo, Daniah de Villiers, Daniel Lasker, Jazzara Jaslyn, Brandon Auret, Erica Wessels, and Tristan de Beer.

Josh Duhamel takes It and Goosebumps 2 star Jeremy Ray Taylor along for the ride in this unexpected buddy action film that is quite fun!

Tommy Ward is a hitman in the U.K. working for local crime boss Harry. When a botched hit results in the death of a rival boss’s relative, Tommy is forced to hide out until things blow over. He must go to Los Angeles and leave his ex-wife and son behind. A year has passed and Tommy is now working as a hitman for Harry’s American friend Benson. Benson himself is in a bit of a dilemma.

Benson’s son Julian is an 18-year-old manchild who spends his days playing a medieval cosplay where he is bullied by Bobby/Barnabus all the time. However, he does have a crush on Bobby’s sister Erika, who seems to like him too. Nevertheless, tired of seeing his son do nothing, Benson has Tommy serve as a mentor to toughen him up, forcing him to see him take the hit on an Irish mobster, Mcrory. However, things are about to get complicated when the mobster whose relative Tommy accidentally killed in the U.K. has come to the U.S. for retribution.

This was quite unexpected but after seeing Simon West’s Old Guy, where an aging hitman takes a young rookie under his wing, it seems like the generational buddy action can become somewhat of a subgenre of the action film. This film, co-written and directed by Allan Ungar, brings that same concept with one small twist. However, what stands out is the hilarious chemistry between lead stars Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor. It is like a f**ked up version of Big Brothers of America if it was constructed in the underworld.

Duhamel’s Tommy seems to be completely oblivious to the realization and consequences of his actions. It also doesn’t help that he is slowly losing his eyesight, which is the catalyst for his exile to Los Angeles. Rick Hoffman is hilarious as his new boss Benson, who within the first 30 minutes has the tendency to question, and I quote “what the f**k is that” at least four to five times. However, it is Jeremy Ray Taylor’s Julien who serves as an redemption arc for Tommy and even proves to be quite handy with a firearm due to his constant playing of Fortnite according to him.

With the film shot in Cape Town, South Africa, there are plenty of local talents that make quite an impact. Arnold Vosloo makes a great cameo as Tommy’s original boss in the U.K. Erica Wessels plays Tommy’s ex-wife who leaves him due to her constant worry about his profession. Mia and the White Lion’s Daniah de Villiers plays Julien’s crush Erika. Brandon Auret once again proves to be a viable villain actor with his role of Mcrory’s brother. Soon to be seen in season 2 of One Piece, we have Daniel Lasker as Erika’s brother and Julien’s bully Bobby/Barnabus and Jazzara Jaslyn as Darya, Benson’s Russian-born associate who tries to get him to have a healthier lifestyle. The great Aiden Gillan makes the most of his screen time as Darby, the rival mob boss who comes to L.A. to avenge his relative’s death.

London Calling is a fun, wild buddy comedy that has all the right tools thanks to the generation gap and chemistry between Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor.

The film will be released in select theaters on September 19.