About the film (courtesy of MGM):
One man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after his is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers.”

Forget honey, The Beekeeper packs a venomous wallop that will leave you breathless on the edge of your seat. The beauty here is the film’s sweet simplicity. Jason Statham channels his inner bee, armed with lethal stingers of charisma and action, in this exhilarating revenge thriller. Director David Ayer crafts a world buzzing with intrigue and danger, where loyalty twists on a dime and a single sting can topple empires.

Statham portrays Adam Clay, a rugged loner hiding a lethal past as a covert operative for the shadowy Beekeepers. When his idyllic honeybee haven is shattered by a brutal attack, Clay unleashes a fury as potent as his winged comrades. Every punch, every kick, explodes with Statham’s signature grit, punctuated by a dry wit that makes even the most savage takedown darkly delightful.

But The Beekeeper is more than just Statham’s action playground. The supporting cast shines – Emmy Raver-Lampman as a driven, yet emotionally compromised FBI agent, Josh Hutcherson as a seemingly oblivious-to-consequences rich kid, and Jeremy Irons as the savvy overseer and caretaker with powerful friends – adding layers of complexity to the hive. The script weaves a twisty web of betrayal and conspiracy, along with some well placed emotional moments, all leading towards a honey-soaked showdown.

Ayer masterfully blends bone-crunching action with suspenseful intrigue, refusing to let tension sag even for a moment. The camerawork dances through apiaries bathed in golden sunlight and shadowy hives buzzing with secrets, while the score pulsates with the rhythm of a hornet’s rage. Be warned, The Beekeeper is not for the faint of heart – the action is visceral, the stakes are high, and the sting lingers long after the credits roll.

But what truly elevates The Beekeeper is its unexpected heart. Amidst the brutality, Clay’s fierce love for his bees and his unwavering commitment to protecting them resonate. It’s a reminder that even the toughest exteriors can hold the sweetest nectar, and that sometimes, the most effective weapon is the quiet hum of resilience.

Personally, David Ayer’s films have been mostly steady in terms of quality with End of Watch (2012) being right there at the tippy top and The Tax Collector (2020) setting the low mark. All of his other works have been decent at the very least. Usually attached with an R-rating due mostly to violence, his style usually hits its intended demographic target with deadly precision.

So, if you’re looking for a film that will keep you glued to your seat, leave you breathless with anticipation, and offer a surprising sting of emotional depth, then look no further than The Beekeeper. This is Jason Statham at his finest, weaving action gold with a story that sticks with you long after the final bee takes flight.

Go ahead and set aside a little less than two hours along with some popcorn or whatever else you prefer to mindless chomp on while strapping in for The Beekeeper. In theaters Friday, January 12th. Check it out!