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What's After the Movie?
Action thriller

The Union (2024): Cast, Ratings & Ending

The Union (2024) movie poster

The Union is a 2024 action thriller directed by Julian Farino, starring Cory English as Union Analyst, Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes. Critics gave it 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Echo Score
45
Metascore
44
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The Union (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Julian Farino
Genres
Action , Comedy , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Union About?

The premise of The Union without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A construction worker is unexpectedly drawn back into the life of his high school sweetheart when she reveals a dangerous, top-secret mission in Europe that requires his unique skills.

The Union Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • spy
  • espionage
  • agent
  • secret
  • target
  • fight
  • construction
  • worker
  • spy action
  • spy thriller
  • buddy comedy
  • terrorist
+38 more
  • terrorism
  • construction worker
  • high school sweetheart
  • male female relationship
  • interracial relationship
  • falling through a skylight
  • arm in sling
  • london england
  • marriage separation
  • reference to amazon
  • reference to yale
  • title spoken in dialogue
  • wedding reception
  • reference to sigmund freud
  • reference to supercuts
  • reference to dartmouth college
  • reference to the new york knicks
  • reference to james bond
  • driving on the wrong side of the road
  • villainess
  • cia central intelligence agency
  • fictional spy agency
  • englishwoman abroad
  • bt tower london
  • rooftop
  • ferry
  • shower
  • american in the uk
  • tough girl
  • spy hero
  • trafalgar square london
  • mission
  • slow motion scene
  • training montage
  • bar
  • action heroine
  • target practice
  • piccadilly circus london
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Cast & crew

The Union Cast & Characters

Cory English leads the cast as Union Analyst, with Mark Wahlberg as Mike McKenna and Halle Berry as Roxanne Hall. Directed by Julian Farino; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Union

· 16 more
From the director

More from Julian Farino

More films directed by Julian Farino, best-rated first: The Oranges, The Child in Time, Marvellous and Byron.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Union Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Union 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 45/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

45 /100

The Union Echo Score Breakdown

The Union demonstrates modest production values and intermittent strengths yet remains weighed down by predictable plotting and shallow character dynamics. Critiques highlight competent stunt work and cleanly shot action sequences, though these are offset by visible green-screen effects and uneven pacing. Performances exhibit sporadic chemistry but lack depth, while narrative developments fail to surprise. Ultimately, the film offers intermittent enjoyment without lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of direction and cinematography, The Union delivers competent framing and occasional high-production flourishes. The editor maintains a steady pace through action set-pieces, and the production design reflects a modest budget with some appealing location choices. However, visible green screens and lackluster stunt choreography create uneven visual cohesion. Overall, visual craftsmanship is serviceable but falls short of memorability.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to acting and emotional resonance, performances vary in effectiveness. Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg display likable rapport in moments of levity, yet the characters suffer from shallow backstories and limited growth. Dialogue often leans on clichéd exchanges, undermining deeper engagement. As a result, the film’s character development remains uneven and underexplored.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, The Union adheres to conventional genre tropes with predictable beats. Worldbuilding feels underdeveloped, leaving key motivations and agency operations insufficiently explained. Although the narrative moves at a steady clip, tonal whiplash between action and comedy disrupts immersion. Ultimately, the story offers limited originality and engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When assessing sound design and visual style, the film benefits from a clear audio mix that highlights dialogue during stunts. The soundtrack incorporates occasional motifs, including a working-class anthem, but fails to leave a lasting impact. Visually, the color palette remains muted with few memorable sequences. Overall, the sensory experience is competent but unremarkable.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Regarding replay value and lasting appeal, The Union offers modest entertainment for casual viewing but lacks depth to warrant repeated viewings. While action sequences and lead chemistry may entertain on a second pass, the generic plot and disposable tone limit its staying power. In sum, the film’s rewatch factor is low.

Plot

The Union Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Union from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Mike McKenna, portrayed by Mark Wahlberg, is a construction worker from New Jersey whose life takes an unexpected turn when his high school sweetheart, Roxanne Hall, re-enters his life after a staggering 25 years. Now a secret agent for a covert organization called “The Union,” she recruits him, albeit initially against his wishes. Mike is in a relationship with his seventh-grade English teacher Nicole and lives with his mother, Lorraine. As he prepares to be the best man at his friend Ronnie’s wedding, Mike is tasked with organizing the bachelor party, which involves his friends Bobby and Johnny.

Full summary

The whole story of The Union, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

The Union Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips, 1 featurette and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Roxanne and Mike Reunite
  • Clip Kitchen Fight Scene - Sneak Peek
  • Clip Car Chase Finale
  • Featurette Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg Compare Action Movie Injuries
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Union?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who portrays the character Mike McKenna in 'The Union'?

Cars

Cars in The Union

48 cars on screen, including the 2007 BMW 3 E92 and the BMW 5 E28.

All 48 cars
  • 2007 BMW 3 E92 in The Union 2007 BMW 3 E92 Important role
  • BMW 5 E28 in The Union BMW 5 E28 Important role
  • 2014 Citroën Relay in The Union 2014 Citroën Relay Important role
  • 1999 Ford F-150 in The Union 1999 Ford F-150 Important role

Seen The Union?

FAQ

The Union FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Union, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Union?

The Union runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was The Union released?

The Union was released on August 16, 2024.

Who directed The Union?

The Union was directed by Julian Farino.

More films by Julian Farino

Who is in the cast of The Union?

The Union stars Cory English as Union Analyst, Mark Wahlberg as Mike McKenna and Halle Berry as Roxanne Hall, among 20 credited actors.

How is The Union rated?

The Union has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 44 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does The Union have a post-credit scene?

No. The Union has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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