Jason Statham is one of the undisputed action hero greats of the 21st century, but one of the actor’s most unique projects came in 2013 when the Wrath of Man superstar teamed up with Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight to deliver a hard-hitting, gritty punch of a film known simply as Redemption.
Released in the UK under the title “Hummingbird,” Redemption follows Statham as Joseph Smith, an ex-Special Forces soldier who navigates London’s criminal underworld whilst struggling between his violent past and present morality. Though the film features a low score on Rotten Tomatoes, Statham’s performance offers a vulnerability rarely glimpsed by fans, making Redemption a particularly notable watch.
Redemption Is A Different Kind Of Jason Statham Action Movie
Unlike many of Statham’s louder and more bombastic action films—including Crank, The Transporter, and the later Fast and Furious films—Redemption is a far quieter movie, only exploding into brutality during several of the film’s vicious fight scenes, including the iconic brawl between Statham and a gang of loud and disrespectful football hooligans.
The force driving Statham’s performance is Redemption’s plot, which centers around Smith’s descent into London’s underbelly after assuming a man’s identity and working as an enforcer for the Chinese mafia. Furthermore, Smith—now “Joey Jones“—starts a relationship with a nun named Cristina (Agata Buzek), growing close to her until his ex’s murder sets him on a hunt for her killer.
Apart from its brooding nature, what separates Redemption from the majority of movies in Jason Statham’s filmography is its character-driven narrative, which leans more into the consequences of violence instead of glorifying it. As an ex-soldier who deserted his post in Afghanistan, Jones is a PTSD-ridden mess at the film’s start, making his quest for redemption that much more compelling.
Redemption Shares Common Ground With Peaky Blinders
Steven Knight’s footprint is all over Redemption, with Statham’s performance as Joey Jones eerily reminiscent of a 21st-century Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the hard-boiled protagonist of Peaky Blinders. Looking at each character’s backstory, both men are starving war veterans thrust into criminal underworlds that see them transform into the tough, embattled anti-heroes audiences remember them as today.
Though it’s not regarded as one of Jason Statham’s best all-time films, Redemption is a revelatory glimpse into the actor’s dramatic ability—a talent often overlooked in favor of Statham’s more action-packed performances in hits like The Beekeeper. For that reason, Redemption is a refreshing chapter in the actor’s career, displaying his range as both a performer and a leading man.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
