The Beekeeper (2024)

The Beekeeper is not another typical sugary action film. It is a brutal revenge story characterised by biting social commentary and violent fights. The lead role of Adam Clay, a former operative in the secret dark government organisation called Beekeepers, is played by Jason Statham, who wears the beekeeper’s hat. Adam has been left without his only friend, who was scammed online. He decides to sting the corrupt corporation that stole away his dear friend, leaving behind maimed bodies and broken secrets.

David Ayer, director of macho war movies, has brought the same level of intensity to The Beekeeper. Fights between combatants are raw, with Statham as usual in his signature balletic violence. He acts like a beekeeper, protecting the hive, dealing with thugs, and methodically beating them down one by one; all of these blows hurt the system he opposes.

The Beekeeper is not all fists and fights (well, not quite). Surprisingly, it weaves a complex web of themes. This means that its objective is to focus on unmasking the evils of corporate greed and their effects on people. However, Adam’s fascination with bees shows how society interacts with everyone, for even little things can cause massive changes.

Emmy Raver-Lampman as Adam’s friend’s estranged daughter and an FBI agent, and Jeremy Irons playing a chillingly charismatic CEO, give impressive performances among others who make up this cast. Raver-Lampman brings some much-needed emotional depth, while Irons drips wickedness out of every word spoken through his unique style.

However, at times, this film fails to live up to its own ambitions. The story line, despite being captivating, tends to be somewhat predictable at times, while the pacing occasionally becomes clumsy, going from one action sequence to another without providing much scope for thematic exploration. Moreover, dialogue sometimes becomes clichéd, especially when too many bee related puns come into play.

However, The Beekeeper has enough energy to keep your attention. This is a movie that is not scared of getting its hands dirty in either the literal or metaphorical sense. It’s a brutal bee sting of a film that makes you itch to fight for what is right, even when stung in the process.

So should you watch The Beekeeper? If you are just looking for senseless action, this one may not be for you. If you fancy violent movies that have an absurd plot yet still employ social commentary, then perhaps it may be worth your time to go and see it. Just remember, it’s a Jason Statham action movie. If you’ve seen one before, you’ll know what to expect!

(In cinemas — check your local movie guide for show times.)