Wrath of Man (2021) is an action-thriller film directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Jason Statham in the lead role. It is a remake of the 2004 French film Le Convoyeur (Cash Truck), and it blends Ritchie’s signature style with a dark, gritty story of vengeance and crime.

Plot Summary:

The film follows Patrick Hill (Jason Statham), a mysterious and stoic man who starts working for an armored truck company responsible for transporting large amounts of cash across Los Angeles. Known only as “H” to his coworkers, Hill quickly proves himself to be a cold and efficient figure, impressing the team with his deadly precision during an attempted robbery.

As the story unfolds, it is revealed that H has a personal agenda—he is searching for the people responsible for a previous heist that resulted in the death of his son. The film shifts between different timelines and perspectives, showing how various criminal groups and insiders were involved in the robbery, which escalates into a complex web of revenge and betrayal.

Main Characters:

• Jason Statham as H/Patrick Hill: The protagonist who is driven by a thirst for revenge after his son is killed during a robbery. H is cold, calculating, and deadly, gradually revealing the depth of his motivation.
• Holt McCallany as Bullet: A fellow guard at the armored truck company who befriends H but is hiding secrets of his own.
• Scott Eastwood as Jan: One of the key antagonists, involved in the heist that led to the death of H’s son. Eastwood’s character is ruthless and unpredictable.
• Jeffrey Donovan as Jackson: The leader of the crew responsible for the robbery, a former soldier looking for one last big score.
• Josh Hartnett as Boy Sweat Dave: A co-worker of H who is less competent than the others, often adding moments of tension and humor.

Themes:

1. Revenge: At its core, Wrath of Man is a revenge tale, exploring the lengths a father will go to in order to avenge his son. The film slowly unravels the emotional trauma behind H’s cold demeanor, giving depth to his motivations.
2. Crime and Betrayal: The film dives deep into the world of organized crime, showing how various factions operate, each with their own code of conduct and morality. The internal betrayals and hidden motives add complexity to the narrative.
3. Justice vs. Vengeance: Wrath of Man plays with the idea of justice, questioning whether H’s quest for revenge is morally justified or if it has turned him into something as monstrous as those he seeks to punish.

Style:

As a director, Guy Ritchie is known for his stylized crime films with sharp dialogue and non-linear storytelling. In Wrath of Man, Ritchie applies a more serious tone compared to his usual fast-paced, witty style seen in films like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. This movie is darker, with minimal humor, focusing more on tension, suspense, and brutal action.

The non-linear structure of the film allows Ritchie to slowly reveal the story from different angles, providing background on both the criminals and H’s personal motivations. This approach creates an intricate puzzle that pieces together as the film progresses.

Action Sequences:

The film is packed with intense and realistic action scenes, particularly in its depiction of heists and shootouts. Jason Statham’s character is portrayed as an unstoppable force, and the film uses his physicality and combat skills to create highly engaging and brutal action moments. The armored truck robberies are shot with a sense of realism and tension, making every encounter feel dangerous and unpredictable.

Reception:

Wrath of Man received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences, especially for Jason Statham’s performance and Guy Ritchie’s direction. While the film doesn’t feature the humor and eccentric characters typically associated with Ritchie, it was praised for its focused, intense narrative and gripping action scenes.

Critics highlighted:

• Jason Statham’s stoic, brooding performance as one of his best, capturing the relentless drive of a man on a mission.
• Guy Ritchie’s tighter, more serious direction, which showed his versatility as a filmmaker, with many praising the film’s pacing and suspense.

Conclusion:

Wrath of Man is a dark, action-packed thriller that showcases Jason Statham in his element—delivering a strong performance in a tense, brutal story of revenge. Guy Ritchie’s ability to blend intricate crime plotting with powerful action sequences makes this film a gripping watch for fans of the genre. With its non-linear storytelling, complex characters, and relentless momentum, Wrath of Man stands out as one of 2021’s solid action thrillers.