London Calling is a funny, action-packed buddy-cop throwback. It boasts great cast chemistry, solid action, and a ton of fun.
There is a certain comfort in a movie that simply sets out to be fun. The new action-comedy London Calling (2025) is a triumphant return to form for the classic turn your brain off and just enjoy genre. Starring Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor, this film doesn’t pretend to be more than it is: a funny, high-octane romp built on a foundation of fantastic chemistry.
It’s a love letter to the buddy-cop films of the ’90s, delivering a consistently entertaining ride that proves that sometimes, all you need is a great duo and a simple mission to make a fun film.
The Heart of the Film: Cast and Chemistry
The unquestionable highlight of London Calling is the dynamic between its two leads. Josh Duhamel, known for his roles in both action and comedy, brings a perfect blend of world-weariness and grudging affection to his character, Tommy, a down-on-his-luck hitman. He is the seasoned professional forced out of his comfort zone. On the other side of the coin is Jeremy Ray Taylor as Julian, an eccentric, LARPing enthusiast and gaming savant who is thrown into the perilous real world. This classic mismatched duo is the engine that drives the film’s humor and emotional core.
The great chemistry between Duhamel and Taylor is apparent from their very first scene together. Their rapport feels completely natural and unforced. The comedy stems from their contrasting personalities: Tommy’s stoic professionalism versus Julian’s quirky, video-game-inspired worldview. Watching them bicker over Julian’s lack of trigger discipline or his attempts to apply a gaming strategy to a real-life firefight is genuinely hilarious.
Beyond the laughs, their relationship evolves with a surprising amount of heart. The film subtly explores themes of fathers and sons and found family, and it’s this emotional anchor that elevates the movie from a simple series of gags to a truly memorable experience. Their dynamic is the central reason the film works as well as it does, making every shared moment – whether it’s an action sequence or a quiet character beat – feel meaningful and engaging.
High-Octane Action and Geeky Flair
London Calling delivers some great action sequences as well. The stunts are well-choreographed and feel grounded, opting for tense, clever combat scenarios over CGI-heavy spectacle. The film understands that a few well-executed, impactful moments are far more satisfying than an endless barrage of explosions.
As someone who is a major nerd myself, I absolutely love the clever integration of Julian’s geeky layers. As a dedicated gamer, Julian’s instincts and unique skillset are a constant source of humor and ingenuity. He is a character who knows the world of fantasy and combat role-playing, and the film expertly plays with the idea of a gamer being forced to apply his virtual knowledge to a physical reality.
This premise leads to some of the movie’s most inventive and entertaining scenes, as Julian’s unconventional thinking allows him to solve problems in ways a grizzled hitman would never consider. The film doesn’t mock his passion; instead, it celebrates it, showing that seemingly useless hobbies can have practical, even life-saving, applications. This creative choice adds a fresh, modern twist to the traditional action-comedy formula.
An Unapologetically Entertaining Experience
London Calling never tries to be more than what it is. The plot is straightforward and follows a familiar path, but this simplicity is one of its greatest assets. The film doesn’t get bogged down in unnecessary exposition or overly complex subplots. It’s a lean, fast-paced narrative that’s designed to be entertaining enough to keep the audience hooked from start to finish. In a world that can feel increasingly dark and complicated, this movie offers a perfect two-hour escape. It’s a reminder that movies can, and should, be fun.
In the end, London Calling is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a genuinely good time at the theater. Its humor is sharp, its action is exciting, and Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor are a joy to watch.
While it might not be a groundbreaking cinematic achievement, it perfectly hits its stride as an enjoyable action-comedy. London Calling comes to theaters September 19th.
