David Ayer and Jason Statham have proven to be an effective filmmaking duo, as they followed up the surprising success of The Beekeeper with A Working Man, another pulpy B-movie that has fun with the revenge thriller premise. Although Ayer has tried his hand at both prestigious dramas (Fury, End of Watch) and high-budget genre fare (Bright, Suicide Squad), A Working Man has proven that his niche is with brutal, somewhat self-serious action flicks that are highly aware of how inherently ridiculous they are. A Working Man does put in the effort to make the audience invested in the story, as Statham gives what is arguably one of his best dramatic performances to date. Although this could have made the film take itself a tad too seriously, A Working Man finds the perfect balance between sincerity and silliness thanks to a terrific supporting performance by David Harbour.

Who Does David Harbour Play in ‘A Working Man’?

Statham stars in A Working Man as Levon Cade, a former member of the British Royal Marines who has been dealing with feelings of guilt and grief in the aftermath of his wife’s suicide. Although Levon isn’t able to spend as much time with his daughter, Merry (Isla Gie), as he would like to, he has formed a tight connection with his employer, Joe Garcia (Michael Peña), who provided him with emotional support in the aftermath of his familial tragedy. After Joe’s daughter, Jenny (Arianna Rivas), is kidnapped by human traffickers, Levon is asked to track down the criminals and bring her to safety. Harbour co-stars as Gunny Lefferty, a former serviceman who lives off the grid with his wife. Although Levon is initially reluctant to become a vigilante, Gunny convinces him that he will regret it if he does not put in the effort to save a family friend.

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Gunny offers Levon the motivation he needs to do the right thing, which makes his decision more interesting. Although Levon is obviously well-versed in weaponry and combat, he does not enjoy exerting violence upon others, and grows concerned that he could lose himself if he unleashed his skills again, particularly when his relationship with his daughter is strained. However, Harbour does a great job at showing how Gunny offers practical advice to Levon regarding a broader definition of family; although they don’t share blood relations, Gunny and Levon feel like brothers because they both understand what it is like to serve in the military, but not receive the benefits that should be awarded to veterans. By this extension, Gunny shows that he is willing to protect Merry while Levon seeks out Jenny, who he also feels is part of his extended family due to the close bond he has with Joe.

Gunny Lefferty Adds Heart and Humor to ‘A Working Man’

Harbour adds comic relief at a key moment in A Working Man, as the first act of the film is relatively stripped down and serious, and does not contain as much propulsive action. While this was important to establish the stakes and generate concern about Jenny’s fate, it also could have stalled the film’s momentum, or suggested that it was far more dramatic than it was intended to be. Harbour and Statham have great chemistry, as the film implies an entire history between the characters that doesn’t have to be detailed in full. Although the idea of a reclusive ex-soldier who has stashed weapons in a cabin could have been somewhat disturbing, Harbour turns Gunny into such an eccentric, endearing character that the film avoids any problematic elements.

While the final set piece of A Working Man is just as gleefully ridiculous as fans of Ayer may have come to expect, Harbour is actually able to bring some sincerity to the film as he reflects on Levon’s evolution; given that Gunny knows Levon better than nearly anyone else, his assessment on his close friend’s emotional reawakening can be trusted. Although it’s a role that could have easily been an instrument of exposition or an obnoxious source of comic relief, Harbour makes the most of his limited screen time. Should A Working Man be successful enough to generate a sequel, Harbour should certainly be given an even more substantial role.

A Working Man is now in theaters.