Netflix Action Spy Comedy Brings Together Two Megastars For The First Time

Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg have never appeared as co-stars before, so seeing the pair together for The Union on Netflix is an exciting first for audiences. Playing a super spy looking for maybe the only person on Earth she can trust, Halle Berry’s character, Roxanne, definitely has some complicated feelings going on in the film. Mark Wahlberg’s character, Mike, plays Roxanne’s former love interest, who gets more than he bargains for when he reconnects with her.

Mike McKenna Mark Wahlberg) has no idea what’s coming when his blue-collar construction world is turned upside down by Roxanne Hall (Halle Berry), his high school sweetheart, who is there to recruit him for a secret mission. Hilarity and adventure ensue as the team rushes to defend the US from disaster, and Mike grapples with his new action-packed life. The Union brings a familiar adventure flavor to Netflix with its mix of spy thriller and comic relief.

Although the film is wildly popular, it hasn’t received acclaim from critics or audiences. A 36 percent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and only a 26 percent fresh score from audiences is a ten-year low for both Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg in terms of ratings. The main complaint from critics and audiences alike is that The Union is a sort of Netflix generic spy comedy that’s not very original or interesting.

The critical reception for The Union must have been somewhat of a surprise for Netflix, as they seem to have checked all the boxes for a successful action comedy. The superstar cast, experienced director, and acclaimed writers should have all amounted to a phenomenal, riveting, and hilarious result, but some critics pointed out that the mechanical approach to the storyline was part of what made it less than exciting. However, making it to the top of Netflix’s most-watched list means that the film is a success in spite of the critics.

Director Julian Ferino, best known for his work on Entourage, tried to work character development into the action of The Union, which is now streaming on Netflix, allowing the characters to blend into the story. Writers Joe Barton, most recently known for his work on the Lazarus Project, and David Guggenheim, known for his work on The Christmas Chronicles, delivered an action comedy script for Netflix that fits in well with the streamer’s preferred brand.

Keeping the action exciting and the laughs coming while staying within the confines of a PG-13 rating is a tall order, though.

To keep the filming location under wraps, all of the reservations and permits for the shoot were kept secret until just a few days before work began. All 300 crew members, as well as workers involved in the lodging and transportation for the crew of The Union, were sworn to secrecy by Netflix in order to preserve the quiet of the location. The beautiful town of Piran, situated on the coast of Slovenia, was the perfect backdrop for the spy comedy thriller.