Mark Wahlberg seems to really like being a spy, doesn’t he? On top of last year’s breakout streaming hit The Family Plan, the man now has another espionage flavored comedy in which he’s once again in over his head with the wrong people. However, the 2024 movie The Union has a rather interesting twist on the matter, as none other than James Bond movie vet Halle Berry is the seasoned vet this time around; and she’s ensnared Marky Mark into a deadly game.
As an espionage movie fan, I love this; but I’m also pretty well sold on Berry and Wahlberg being one of the next premiere action rom-com duos. Netflix has made sure of that, as the streamer has now shared the first trailer for director Julian Farino’s upcoming action/adventure romp.
Reuniting former high school sweethearts Roxanne (Halle Berry) and Mike (Mark Wahlberg), these Jersey kids don’t have long to catch up before she whisks him away to London. While the mission to recover a list of “every U.S. spy” for The Union is something ripped straight out of not only Skyfall, but also the Mission: Impossible movies, that’s not what caught my eye.
Rather, the chemistry between Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg, as well as other cast members like spy chief J.K. Simmons, is what’s really sold me on this film’s promise. Any good title in this subgenre of action/adventure needs a team to drive its mission. Berry, Wahlberg, and Simmons feel like a dynamite trio to anchor things down, and having a legend like Jackie Earle Haley playing the Q of the bunch just seals the deal even more.
Also, I’m not totally sure, but I’m starting to think that Luke Colter is the Bond villain of The Union’s spin on this formula. That’s not confirmed, but between the action in the trailer, and that crisp press image of the man you see above makes that impression harder to shake. If that happens to be true, sweet Christmas we could be in for quite the battle.
The Union couldn’t be arriving at a better time for Mark Wahlberg enthusiasts. Not only did The Family Plan’s crowd-pleasing results turned into a record breaking hit for Apple TV+ towards the end of 2023, this spring also saw Arthur the King winning Wahlberg fan's hearts. Pair that with Halle Berry's undeniable star power, as well as Netflix experiences like her directorial debut Bruised, and you've got a recipe for an excitingly intense time.
And with that, you've officially been debriefed on The Union! You now have all the information you need before this mission kicks off on August 16th. Well, except for the fact that you'll need to renew your Netflix subscription in preparation for what looks to be an explosively good time.
