The Reel Review
Ryan Gosling stars in this Russo brothers (Avengers Endgame, Cherry) Netflix spy thriller about a CIA operative who goes on the run after discovering terrible secrets about the agency. He must rescue another colleague’s niece while evading several international teams of assassins led by a psychopathic former colleague (Chris Evans).
For a film with so many glitzy, big budget visuals, nonstop action and a big name cast that includes Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton) and Billy Bob Thornton, this sure is one not-so-thrilling spy thriller. The Gray Man is a cheap, formulaic Jason Bourne knockoff, saddled with a meager, convoluted plot, thinly drawn characters, trite dialogue, and overacting by a cast in some shockingly bad facial hair.
The strongest part of this listless film are the well-choreographed fight sequences – some are actually well done, but even so, they are hard to see with lighting that is so dim. Netflix needs to stop giving filmmakers blank checks to do what they want without any oversight. This film is one massively bad investment.
REEL FACTS
• The film’s $200 million budget makes it one of the most expensive Netflix original movies ever made.
• Chris Evans turned down the lead role in The Gray Man, instead opting for the role of the villain.
• Ana de Armas previously co-starred with Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049 and with Chris Evans in Knives Out.
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