The Gray Man is a spy thriller packed with blockbuster action from the Russo brothers (Anthony and Joe Russo), who previously created the phenomenon Avengers: Endgame. The film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Mark Greaney, starring Ryan Gosling as a CIA operative hunted across the globe, and Chris Evans returning as a wild villain after his turn in Knives Out.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The Gray Man tells the story of Court Gentry (Ryan Gosling), code name 'Sierra Six', a former prisoner recruited as a top CIA assassin by Donald Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton). After a recent mission goes wrong, Six possesses classified information that exposes wrongdoing within the agency, making him the target of Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), a former CIA agent turned unhinged killer. The chase takes us around the world, from Bangkok to Vienna, with help from agent Dani Miranda (Ana de Armas) and former Indian assassin Avik San (Dhanush). The film moves fast with no breathing room, jumping across countries as Six fights to survive and uncover the truth.
Performance and Characters
Ryan Gosling as Six returns in a cool, stoic spy look but with deep emotion. He communicates through eyes and body language, making us feel the character's past trauma. Chris Evans as Lloyd Hansen is the film's highlight. He plays a handsome, polite yet insane villain with sarcastic humor throughout. The character evokes a mix of Hans Landa and Jim Moriarty. Ana de Armas, though her role is smaller than in No Time to Die, adds brightness and skill. Meanwhile, Dhanush, the Indian star, has standout fight scenes. However, most characters are archetypes following spy film formulas, lacking deep dimension.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
The Russo brothers prove again they excel at large-scale action. The film features intense chase and fight scenes, especially in the Czech Republic forest and a train fight. The camera moves fast, editing is tight, though sometimes dizzying. The overall look is beautiful with a modern spy film color palette. The score by Henry Jackman (who did Captain America: The Winter Soldier) drives emotion well but lacks a particularly memorable theme.
Editorial Analysis
The Gray Man aims for fun over logic. The film doesn't seek the realism of Jason Bourne or complexity of Mission: Impossible, but focuses on pure entertainment. Each action scene is designed to stand out with fun gimmicks, especially Six's repeater gun. Moreover, the film inserts humor and good chemistry between characters, preventing it from being too tense. The downside is a fairly basic plot and some villains that aren't threatening enough. However, as a popcorn action film emphasizing fun, The Gray Man exceeds expectations, suitable for those wanting a mindless, thrilling spy movie.
Verdict
The Gray Man is a spy action film focused on mindless entertainment, perfect for those wanting something fun and intense, showcasing Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans' great chemistry. If you like John Wick or Atomic Blonde, this is another must-watch.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans is fun
- +World-class action scenes with non-stop chases
- +Big production values, beautiful visuals, diverse locations
👎 Cons
- −Plot is quite formulaic with no twists
- −Some supporting characters lack depth
- −2-hour runtime may drag in the middle
Top Cast
FAQ
The Gray Man is only on Netflix, starting July 22, 2022.
Yes, it's the Thai title for The Gray Man.
Netflix has announced a sequel and spin-off, with Ryan Gosling returning.
It's fun for fans of spy action films that prioritize excitement and fight scenes over plot.
