The year’s most thrilling action-comedy is almost here. Freelance, from Taken director Pierre Morel, promises a hilarious fish-out-of-water story paired with jungle escapes and military coups.
Slated to hit theaters on October 6, 2023, Freelance boasts an appealing cast and an experienced director known for crafting taut action sequences. Let’s explore why this buddy comedy meets high-stakes adventure could be the perfect escapist romp when it debuts this fall.
MOVIE INFO
| Directed by | Pierre Morel |
|---|---|
| Written by | Jacob Lentz |
| Produced by | Steve RichardsRenee TabChristopher Tuffin |
| Starring | John Cena Alison Brie Juan Pablo Raba Alice Eve Marton Csokas Christian Slater |
| Cinematography | Thierry Arbogast |
| Edited by | Chris Tonick |
| Music by | Elliot Leung Geoff Zanelli (themes) |
| Production companies | AGC Studios Endurance Media |
| Distributed by | Relativity Media |
| Release date | October 6, 2023 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $40 million |
High-Octane Premise
The premise of Freelance sounds like a blast:
Years after retiring from the Army, a Special Forces operator takes a job providing security for a female journalist as she interviews a cruel dictator. When a military coup breaks out in the middle of the interview, the three are forced to escape into the jungle together.
Retired special ops agent meets intrepid reporter meets ruthless dictator. It’s an unpredictable combo, setting the stage for thrills and laughs when the coup forces these disparate characters together.
Audiences can expect action movie suspense paired with oddball couple humor as the mismatched trio tries to survive deadly threats. It’s a classic fish-out-of-water scenario: the reserved military man, the crusading journalist, and the flamboyant dictator must join forces despite their differences.
The journalists wants her career-making story. The dictator wants to reclaim power. And the former soldier likely just wants to make it out alive. The conflicting motives should heighten the tension and lead to funny culture-clash moments.
Factor in stunning jungle locations, military battles, and high-risk escapes, and Freelance sounds like a rollercoaster ride filled with adventure, one-liners, and unlikely camaraderie.
Is There a Trailer for Freelance 2023 Movie?
Appealing Cast
The cast of Freelance brings together actors known for both comedy and action.
John Cena stars as the Special Forces operator turned security guard. Cena has experience with action movies like The Marine and 12 Rounds. But he’s also displayed surprisingly sharp comedic chops in films like Trainwreck, Blockers, and Sisters.
Cena’s hulking physique makes him convincing as an elite soldier. And his deadpan, tough guy persona should balance nicely against the absurd scenario, lending itself well to dry humored reactions. He seems ideally cast as the grounded action hero plunged into zany antics.
Alison Brie costars as the journalist. Brie is best known for playing Annie in the comedy series Community. She also starred in sitcoms Mad Men, BoJack Horseman, GLOW, and most recently, The Great North.
Brie’s quick wit and girl-next-door likeability should endear her to audiences. We can easily imagine her as a quirky, idealistic reporter willing to risk it all for the perfect scoop. Her chemistry with Cena promises to be a highlight as the mismatched pair bicker and bond.
The cast is rounded out by Juan Pablo Raba as the smug dictator, along with Alice Eve, Marton Csokas, and Christian Slater in undisclosed roles. This range of talents hints at vibrant supporting characters adding depth to the adventure.
Jungle Thrills
Early footage reveals stunning jungle scenery that should magnify the danger and ratchet up the excitement. Lush greens and rocky cliffs make for a vivid backdrop as rebel forces launch their coup.
The jungle setting allows for creative action sequences. Pursuits through tangled greenery, muddy river crossings, makeshift shelters in caves, and camouflaged camps all provide visual variety. The characters will need to rely on their wits and survival skills as threats loom from both rebel forces and untamed nature.
Nature can be the most formidable foe, with risks like venomous snakes, flash floods, and starvation. The director can mine suspense from the many creative obstacles the jungle presents.
Audiences can anticipate sweeping aerial shots of the jungle canopy, then tight shots of snakes and scorpions to amp up the tension. The characters’ isolation in the remote setting should test their endurance and patience with each other in entertaining ways.
Accomplished Director
Freelance comes from experienced director Pierre Morel, best known for crafting intense action sequences.
Morel broke out by directing Liam Neeson in the slick thriller Taken. He went on to helm peppy shoot-em-ups like From Paris with Love and The Gunman.
The French filmmaker has a talent for staging hard-hitting fight scenes and choreographing chase sequences for maximum impact. His camerawork stays intimate even during big set pieces.
Morel’s deft blending of gritty action and human drama should work well for Freelance’s mix of geopolitical intrigue and buddy comedy. He can handle the big stakes while keeping the characters memorable.
While Freelance marks Morel’s first outright action-comedy, he’s shown flashes of humor in his previous work. His kinetic visual style should pair well with the fish-out-of-water scenario to highlight the absurdity.
Hot New Writer
Freelance comes from debut feature screenwriter Jacob Lentz, though he has TV writing experience. Getting a fresh voice like Lentz allows the material to feel unpredictable rather than formulaic.
Lentz’s script stood out enough to attract an A-list cast and director. The story likely balances clever plotting with vivid characters. And the premise inherently provides strong visuals and tension.
As a newcomer, Lentz brings an outsider perspective that should help make the familiar action comedy format feel fresh. He can explore new comedic angles and combinations not bound by rigid conventions.
The talented cast and director were clearly drawn to Lentz’s vision. Their enthusiasm raises expectations for a funny, energized take on odd couple relationships and over-the-top jungle adventures.
Fall Release
Part of what should make Freelance a hit is its October release date. As a funny, escapist story, it’s primed for fall crowds eager for a break from serious Oscar contenders.
October is an ideal window for crowd-pleasing action comedies. Hits like the Rush Hour movies, Bad Boys II, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and Red Notice have flourished in October.
Moviegoers have already enjoyed heavy dramas over the summer and early fall. By October, many crave a fun change-of-pace like Freelance over more somber awards fare.
The film can attract adults feeling Halloween-spirited who want spooky thrills from jungles rather than ghosts. Teens on fall break looking for lighthearted thrills could also turn out.
October offers Freelance the chance to be the action smash Halloween audiences are craving. Theaters are poised to offer it as the prime choice for groups seeking a lively good time.
Will Freelance Hit Big?
While full reviews are still to come, early buzz suggests Freelance could be a breakout hit that entertains and thrills in equal measure.
The wildcard cast, timely premise, and skilled director should allow Freelance to feel like a fresh spin on a road-tested formula. It seems primed to deliver laughs, unique characters, and violent delights as three mismatched strangers unite against chaos.
Freelance has the ingredients to succeed:
- An of-the-moment premise with global implications
- A sharpened comedic edge from its unpredictable stars
- Slick action sequences from a director who’s proven he can balance drama and thrills
- Vibrant jungle locations that maximize danger and atmosphere
- An October release date ideal for crowd-pleasing escapism
While the plot follows familiar action tropes, the charming cast and timely political touches could make the film feel like a welcome breath of fresh air.
Freelance isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It simply wants to thrill audiences with an entertaining, character-driven romp. Early signs suggest it will accomplish that goal with plenty of heart and humor when it hits theaters October 6th.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freelance 2023
Who is in the cast of Freelance besides John Cena?
Alison Brie, Juan Pablo Raba, Alice Eve, Marton Csokas, and Christian Slater also star. The diverse cast has experience in both comedy and action projects.
When and where was Freelance filmed?
Principal photography took place in Colombia in early 2022. The jungle provided a vivid backdrop for the adventure scenes.
Who wrote Freelance?
It’s the first feature film script from up-and-coming screenwriter Jacob Lentz. Lentz likely drew from his background as a TV writer.
What other movies has the director Pierre Morel made?
Morel is best known for the Liam Neeson action film Taken and shoot-em-up The Gunman. This marks his first action-comedy.
How did Freelance get its notable cast and director?
Lentz’s script was strong enough to attract the cast. Morel’s talent for balancing high stakes with humor made him a good fit.
How did Freelance get funded and distributed?
Freelance received financing from production companies AGC Studios and Endurance Media. Relativity Media will distribute it theatrically.
How much did it cost to make Freelance?
The production budget was around $40 million. That’s typical for a major action movie with exotic locations
What makes the premise timely or relevant?
The coup plotline reflects current tensions between dictators and democracy worldwide. It taps into fears of government instability.
Is Freelance aiming more for thrills or laughs?
Early buzz indicates it tries to deliver an equal mix of adrenaline and humor. It uses comedy to humanize the high stakes.
When will Freelance be released?
Freelance hits theaters October 6, 2023. The fall date positions it as crowd-pleasing counterprogramming against serious Oscar fare.
Will Freelance Balance Action and Comedy?
Freelance aims to breathe new life into the mismatched buddy movie by pairing it with geopolitical thrills. All signs point to an enjoyable mix of sharp character comedy and jungle action sequences.
Director Pierre Morel can deliver slick set pieces grounded in real emotion. Stars like John Cena and Alison Brie can find the funny in unlikely relationships. And the coup premise allows for biting political satire.
While the plot hits familiar beats, the stellar cast and timely touches could make Freelance feel fresh. It promises memorable escapism with wide appeal when it arrives this October.
Audiences craving a thrilling yet lighthearted romp should circle Freelance on their calendars. Watch for this crowd-pleaser to earn enthusiastic word-of-mouth when it hits theaters soon.
