🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Pierre Morel
- Genre: Action, Comedy
- Release year: 2023
- Runtime (length): 1h 48min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (26K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bored lawyer goes on a jungle vacation with a journalist and a dictator, shoots some bad guys, and finds true happiness because that’s how life works.
🍿 Freelance: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Botched Mission and Civilian Life
Mason Pettits, a former Special Forces operative, is haunted by a failed mission to assassinate dictator Juan Venegas in Paldonia. Injured and discharged, he finds himself stuck in a mundane job as a lawyer, a stark contrast to his previous life of action. This transition strains his marriage and leaves him feeling unfulfilled.

An Offer He Can’t Refuse
Mason’s old comrade, Sebastian Earle, now runs a private security firm and offers him a freelance gig: protecting journalist Claire Wellington as she interviews President Venegas. Despite his reservations and his wife’s concerns, Mason takes the job, seeing it as a chance to escape his boring routine and potentially confront his past.

Ambush in Paldonia
Upon arrival in Paldonia, Mason, Claire, and Venegas are immediately ambushed, revealing a coup is underway. They escape into the jungle, realizing that Venegas is the target of his own treacherous military forces, led by his nephew Jorge and the ruthless Colonel Jan Koehorst. The unlikely trio must learn to rely on each other to survive.

The Truth Unveiled
As they journey towards safety, Venegas reveals that he wasn’t responsible for the deaths of Mason’s comrades during the original mission. Mason discovers Sebastian’s hidden agenda: he was hired to assassinate Venegas all along. Faced with this revelation, Mason must decide where his loyalties lie.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Mason Pettits (John Cena): A former special forces operative turned lawyer who takes a freelance security job protecting a journalist, forcing him back into action.
- Claire Wellington (Alison Brie): A washed-up journalist seeking to revitalize her career by interviewing a dictator, finding herself in the middle of a military coup.
- Juan Venegas (Juan Pablo Raba): The charismatic and impeccably dressed dictator of Paldonia, caught in a military coup and reliant on Mason and Claire for survival.
- Colonel Jan Koehorst (Marton Csokas): The ruthless South African mercenary leading the military coup against Venegas, seeking to overthrow his regime.
- Sebastian Earle (Christian Slater): Mason’s former army buddy and head of a private security firm, who hires Mason for the job with ulterior motives.
- Jenny Pettits (Alice Eve): Mason’s wife who fears for his safety when he takes on the freelance security job, straining their already troubled marriage.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Venegas: “You know what they say. A man who touches honey… will eventually lick his fingers.” – Venegas says this quote illustrating his cynical view of human nature and temptations.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $5,314,136
- Worldwide Gross: $10,196,704
💥 Freelance Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went in expecting a silly action movie, and ‘Freelance’ delivered that. The plot’s pretty basic: John Cena protects Alison Brie from a coup in a fictional country. Some scenes were funny, especially anything with the dictator, Juan Pablo Raba, but it wasn’t laugh-out-loud hilarious. The action was decent enough to keep me entertained. I felt like this would be a better streaming movie on a cozy night. It wasn’t amazing, but I didn’t hate it. It’s popcorn entertainment; nothing more, nothing less.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of John Cena and Alison Brie”
- “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted action-comedies”
- “Those looking for an undemanding, easy-to-watch movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Language”
- “Partial Nudity”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “While ‘Freelance’ has pacing issues and doesn’t fully commit to action or comedy, John Cena’s charisma and a few cool action scenes keep it enjoyable. Alison Brie is charming, and Juan Pablo Raba delivers a memorable performance as the dictator. Ultimately, it’s a fun, though forgettable, way to spend a couple of hours.
- Collider: “Despite an interesting premise and some talented actors, ‘Freelance’ suffers from a predictable plot and uneven execution. The attempts at comedy often fall flat, and the action sequences lack excitement. Juan Pablo Raba’s performance offers some bright spots, but overall, the movie feels uninspired and fails to leave a lasting impression.
Audience Reactions
John Cena’s comedic timing shines, making the movie surprisingly funny.: Viewers enjoyed the lighthearted action and comedic elements.
Juan Pablo Raba steals the show as the dictator with his charismatic performance.: Raba’s acting was a standout, adding depth to his character.
Overall Consensus: Freelance is a mildly entertaining action-comedy with some bright spots, primarily due to the performances of John Cena and Juan Pablo Raba, but ultimately suffers from a predictable plot and inconsistent execution.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Director Pierre Morel is known for directing action-packed films such as ‘Taken’ and ‘District 13’.”
- “The fictional country of Paldonia, where much of the film is set, was filmed on location in Colombia.”
- “The movie blends action and comedy, aiming for a tone similar to action comedies of the 80s and 90s.”
🖥️ How to Watch Freelance?
Freelance is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. As a relatively recent release, it may also become available on subscription streaming services like Netflix or Hulu in the near future. Consider purchasing or renting the film through these platforms to support the filmmakers and actors involved. Be sure to compare prices across different services to find the best deal.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Freelance, you might like these similar films:
- The Rundown (2003): Both films feature a tough guy tasked with retrieving someone from a jungle setting, blending action with humor.
- Romancing the Stone (1984): Similar blend of action, adventure, and romance in a South American setting with a journalist and unlikely hero.
- The Lost City (2022): Shares the theme of an unlikely duo (a writer and her bodyguard) getting caught up in an adventure in a foreign land.
- True Lies (1994): Combines action and comedy with over-the-top scenarios and a charismatic lead.
🛒 Freelance Related Products
- Freelance (Blu-ray): Own Freelance on Blu-ray and relive the jungle adventure with John Cena and Alison Brie. Includes bonus content such as behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews for the ultimate fan experience.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Freelance – Mason Pettits: Add ex-special forces operative Mason Pettits to your Funko Pop! collection. A must-have for any fan, this detailed figure captures the essence of John Cena’s character in the movie.
- Freelance Movie Poster: Decorate your space with the official Freelance movie poster. This vibrant poster brings the action and comedy of the film to life, perfect for any fan’s room or home theater.
- Freelance – Jungle Adventure Game: Based on the movie, players navigate the dangerous jungles of Paldonia as Mason Pettits, protecting Claire Wellington and avoiding a military coup. A thrilling game with levels and interactive challenges.
🎧 Soundtrack
Freelance features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, Freelance is a fictional action-comedy. While it touches on themes of political unrest and corporate exploitation, the characters and events are not based on real-life occurrences.
Freelance was filmed on location in Colombia, providing a lush and authentic backdrop for the jungle setting and political intrigue. Key scenes were shot in various regions of the country, adding to the film’s visual appeal.
Whether Freelance is worth watching depends on your taste. If you enjoy action-comedies with charismatic leads like John Cena and Alison Brie, and don’t mind a somewhat predictable plot, you may find it entertaining. However, some critics have noted its reliance on tropes and uneven humor.
🔥 Bonus Content
A Boy And Girl got Stuck in The Jungle | Freelance Film Explained in Hindi/Urdu Summarized हिन्दी
Ever wondered what ‘Freelance’ is really about? This video breaks down the entire movie in Hindi/Urdu, making it super easy to follow. Honestly, it cleared up a few plot points I missed the first time around!
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