Wrath of Man (2021) is a heist thriller directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Jason Statham in the lead role as H, a mysterious and skilled armored truck driver on a mission for revenge. Based on the 2004 French film Le Convoyeur (Cash Truck), Wrath of Man combines Ritchie’s signature style with a darker, grittier tone, delivering an intense story about vengeance, betrayal, and justice.

Plot Overview

The film follows H, a stoic and enigmatic new employee at an armored truck company called Fortico Security. After narrowly passing the company’s training, H is quickly thrown into action when he thwarts a violent heist with impressive, almost superhuman combat skills, shocking his coworkers. Unbeknownst to them, H is actually a dangerous criminal mastermind who has infiltrated Fortico with a hidden agenda.

Through a series of flashbacks, the story reveals that H’s son was killed in a brutal armored truck robbery gone wrong, and H is determined to track down those responsible. His ultimate goal is to exact revenge on the robbers who were behind the botched heist, specifically a group of rogue military veterans led by the ruthless Jackson (Jeffrey Donovan) and his unpredictable accomplice Jan (Scott Eastwood).

The story builds to a climactic showdown as H methodically eliminates those responsible, culminating in a bloody confrontation that reveals the lengths he is willing to go for vengeance. Along the way, H’s background, connections, and motivations are gradually unraveled, painting a complex portrait of a man on a single-minded path of retribution.

Themes and Style

Wrath of Man explores themes of revenge, justice, and moral ambiguity. H’s journey is motivated by personal loss, but his violent methods and willingness to cross ethical lines raise questions about the nature of revenge and its corrosive effects. The film also delves into themes of betrayal and loyalty, both within H’s own network and among the rogue soldiers he hunts.

Stylistically, Wrath of Man is darker and more somber than many of Ritchie’s previous films, with a tone more akin to a gritty crime thriller than his usual caper-comedy style. Ritchie’s direction employs a nonlinear narrative, revealing key events through flashbacks and shifting perspectives. This layered storytelling creates suspense and keeps the audience guessing about H’s true intentions until the final act. The cinematography and color palette are bleak and restrained, enhancing the film’s intense and foreboding atmosphere.

Performances

Jason Statham delivers a strong performance as H, portraying him as a brooding, intense figure whose quiet demeanor hides a fierce determination and lethal skillset. Statham’s physicality and restrained style fit the character well, giving H a sense of danger and mystery. Scott Eastwood stands out as Jan, bringing an unpredictable and menacing energy to his role as a key antagonist. Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, and Holt McCallany add depth to the supporting cast, with McCallany playing H’s colleague Bullet, whose relationship with H grows complex as the story unfolds.

Reception

Wrath of Man received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences, who praised its intense action sequences, Statham’s commanding performance, and Ritchie’s shift to a more serious, gritty tone. While some critics found the nonlinear storytelling disorienting, others appreciated the tension it created. Many praised the film for its suspenseful pacing and well-executed action scenes, though some noted that it lacked the humor and style typical of Ritchie’s earlier work.

Overall Impression

Wrath of Man is a hard-hitting, action-packed thriller that showcases Jason Statham in a gritty, revenge-driven role. With a darker tone and tighter focus than Ritchie’s usual style, the film succeeds as a compelling and intense story of vengeance and betrayal. For fans of heist thrillers and revenge dramas, Wrath of Man offers a satisfying blend of tension, action, and moral complexity, making it one of the more memorable crime thrillers of 2021