Pierre Morel, the director behind solid films such as Taken (2013) and District 13 (2004), has returned with a new film starring the usually likable John Cena and Alison Brie. Freelance (2023) might just be the most nondescript of Morel’s films, relying on a stock trimming of uncommitted action sequences, awkward chemistry, and lazy humor, with some careless political remarks thrown in.
Freelance (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The film starts with Mason Pettits’ (John Cena) voiceover elaborating on his quest for purpose and meaning in life. In flashback mode, we are taken through Mason’s enrollment at a law school, which he eventually drops out of in trepidation at a certain suburban, well-ordered American life that doesn’t look viable for him. He enlists in the military, which gives him the dose of purpose he has been desperately looking for.
However, a mission goes horribly awry when a helicopter gets bombed in the South American country of Paldonia, a place described as colorful as a Tim Burton world but creepier. His teammates die; only he makes it out alive with significant bruises. Since then, he has reverted to being in the legal consultancy practice, going through the routines joylessly but strapped to it in order to provide for his wife and daughter.
Why does Mason return to Paldonia?
Suddenly, one day, his military superior, Sebastian Earle ( Christian Slater), turns up at his office, requesting him to accompany him. Earle shows him what he has been lately associated with, the CDI (Contractual Defence Initiative), a unit comprising specially trained personnel that takes on operations assigned by stakeholders in various countries.
Earle convinces him to sign up for a task- to be the bodyguard accompanying renowned journalist Claire Wellington (Alison Brie), who has landed an interview with Paldonia’s president/dictator, Venegas (Juan Pablo Raba). Mason is initially reluctant and skeptical, especially since Earle specifies the task is under the auspices of Venegas himself, who was responsible for the deaths of his teammates. He agrees gradually after his wife suggests perhaps this is what will help him get over his brokenness and fix their failing marriage.
On the way from the airport to the president’s ranch, the rebels target the car in which Venegas, Claire, and Mason are traveling. There’s a bombing, which they narrowly escape as Mason maneuvers the car out of the way of countless hits. Once they are out of danger momentarily. Venegas tells them after surmising from a call with his nephew, Jorge ( Sebastian Eslava), that it is Jorge himself who is behind the coup.
Mason connects with Earle and asks for help to get Claire and him out of the country despite her repeated insistence on staying back and presenting the details of the coup as exclusive coverage. But when they are about to proceed to the pick-up point, there’s another attack. Once again, Mason, in one one-man avatar is able to pump everyone to defeat, even blowing up a helicopter. They are able to get out of the mess.
Why do Claire and Mason stay back in Paldonia?
On Venegas’ insistence, Claire and Mason stay at the village of his oldest friend, Ernesto, who is also a local leader. Claire does the interview where Venegas asserts the coup has been in collusion with Western powers and categorically major corporations who are eyeing the precious natural resources Paldonia is teeming with.
He keeps restating it is not a revolt by his people but a fully corporation-engineered one that wishes to destabilize his hold and replace it with someone more “user-friendly.” This shelter isn’t immune from the threat of attacks either. Mason discovers from his boss that he had actually been sent to kill Venegas, which is what the South African mercenaries have been trying to achieve as well. These mercenaries, led by Colonel Koehorst, close in. While Venegas and Mason manage to escape on horseback, Claire falls behind in the clutches of the mercenaries.
Freelance (2023) Movie Ending Explained:
How does Venegas foil his assassination?
Venegas makes Mason meet the opposition party leader, who confides in him that he basically orchestrates any rebellion, explaining how it keeps things in check. Right when the mercenaries seem to close in on Venegas, a crowd of demonstrators disperses them, led by him. Venegas guides Mason and Claire through a secret tunnel that opens into his chamber in the presidential building, where an unsuspecting Jorge is tinkering in the chair.
But the mercenaries land there as well, and so does General Martinez. A shootout erupts, leaving Jorge dead. The CDI also swoops in and successfully quells the attacks, saving Venegas. Venegas promises a shift to a transitional government as well as a substantive investment in the country’s infrastructure. The film ends with Mason returning home and pleasantly surprised that Venegas has essentially redirected the sum to his account, perfectly securing Mason’s future prospects.
