Shelter Review
It wouldn’t be a fun year if we didn’t get the occasional Jason Statham action-thriller film that goes in on all the action. In 2024, he got to be a retired assassin-for-hire that does right to stop crime in The Beekeeper. Last year, Statham got to be a retired Marine who works as a construction worker only to fight the mafia in A Working Man. It almost seems fitting that these the traits of these two characters would combine themselves into another Statham-like fighter that never backs down from a fight with Shelter. While this film is familiar ground for Statham, it’s got an emotional spark to it that makes it somewhat interesting.
Shelter follows a former government assassin, Michael Mason (Jason Statham), who tries to live a peaceful life on an isolated island. To make his life better, he’s recruited a young girl, Jessie (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) to supply him with everything he needs. However, when Jessie gets caught up in a storm and Mason saves her, their lives get upended by the former agency he’s worked with. Now on the run, Mason and Jessie must try to escape their hunters before they get caught.
It’s very clear that Shelter feels very much in-line with other Jason Statham action-thrillers, from an action standpoint as well as a character standpoint. He’s rugged and always focused at the task at hand, but he’s got a bit of a cheeky, comedic side to him that’s underneath the seriousness he has. Some of the mannerisms that Mason has, whether that be checking for threats to putting in the occasional one-liner, also hit similar beats to other characters Statham’s played. As for the action itself, movie-goers can expect some heavy close-up gun fights that play with the environment a lot. Fortunately, it’s in those hand-to-hand sequences that pack more of a punch that keep you hooked.
The plot and narrative setup of Shelter might also feel familiar for Statham-leading features. We’re meant to feel sympathetic for Mason and Jessie’s way of life in the first act, just like Adam and Eloise’s friendship that serves as the catalyst for The Beekeeper. The big problem that happens in both films just so happens to revolve around Statham’s companion, leading his character to take things into his own hands. From here, the film goes into “hunting season” mode when Mason and Jessie hit the road, getting into shenanigans like taking cover in this innocent farmer’s house. It hits all those plot beats that come with such an action movie, which may be a bit tiring.
Furthermore, the antagonist of Shelter, that being Mason’s former boss, Manafort (Bill Nighy), pretty much acts like any arrogant antagonist who tries to be methodical about their plans. As the disgraced leader of a covert MI6 program, one can see that he’s the irredeemable force that’s got everything he needs. The film tries to make him out to be more ruthless, giving him a motivation centered around “conscience versus duty”. However, there’s only that foundational layer to it, both to the overarching narrative and the character himself, that makes him a bit surface-level.
However, to counter this, director Ric Roman Waugh uses the relationship between Mason and Jessie to drive up the emotions. The gradual development we see, from being mere associates to growing this almost father-daughter relationship, does make one feel empathetic for Mason’s actions. He only treats Jessie this way because he doesn’t want her to end up in his own footsteps, but she unknowingly does so anyway. There’s a few moments in the film that show this, like Mason awkwardly giving Jessie a big gun to protect herself while he checks the perimeter to her wanting to kill Manafort’s agent. It’s these moments that try to make the viewer understand the “parental” choices Mason makes.
Additionally, there’s this investigative infighting within the government forces, driven by new agency head Roberta (Naomi Ackie). She’s unlike Manafort in many ways, but she’s also conflicted about allowing Mason to run freely with Jessie. The conflict that Roberta faces is much more complex, given how her team only gets bits and pieces as the story goes on. She’s more of a reactionary force to Mason and Manafort’s fighting, but she also puts in the investigative work to make her fit into the story. She’s simply got that agency that makes her something to be reckoned with, but she also needs more depth.
Shelter might include familiar narrative elements from any Jason Statham action-thriller movie, but it carries some emotional weight through the leads’ relationship to make it stand out. While Waugh and Statham show that such films are capable of carrying an emotional weight, there’s still much more potential that could be explored.
Shelter is now playing in theaters.
Rating: ★★★
_
Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.