LONDON CALLING
Allan Ungar brings audiences a fun genre mashup in LONDON CALLING. After fleeing the UK from a job gone wrong, nearsighted hitman Tommy ends up working for a fiery LA crime boss. Unexpectedly tasked with mentoring his boss’s LARP-loving teenage son, Tommy’s past catches up with him.
Rick Hoffman is a master at searing delivery. His performance as Benson is unforgettable. Jeremy Ray Taylor gives Julian a spitfire energy. He is an undeniable star. His performance from the 2017 IT remake still haunts me. In this role, Taylor has a Michael Cera innocence and comic timing. Josh Duhamel plays a Tommy with comfort that few leading men genuinely possess. His swagger is only matched by his vulnerability and sardonic wit. Taylor and Duhamel’s chemistry is something I would watch over and over.
Upon first glance, Julian seems like a lost cause, but his love of video games makes him a crack shot. Tommy continues to fumble as his eyesight fails him. The two oddly balance one another out in talent and emotional needs as they delve deeper into crime shenanigans and plenty of character-driven redemption. Omer Levin Menekse, Quinn Wolfe, and Ungar’s script is laugh-out-loud funny. The only true cringeworthy moment is the repeated use of the “R” word, which felt lazy and offensive in 2025.
The action sequences are incredibly entertaining. The final fight scene is nothing short of celebratory. LONDON CALLING has the same energy as The Other Guys or 21 Jump Street. Taylor and Duhamel’s father-son energy is an unexpected bonus, making for an entirely unexpected buddy comedy that earns your attention and melts your heart.
LONDON CALLING OFFICIAL TRAILER:
LONDON CALLING will be in theaters on September 19, 2025.
LONDON CALLING stars acclaimed actors Josh Duhamel(Transformers franchise, Safe Haven), Jeremy Ray Taylor (It, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween), Rick Hoffman (“Suits,” Thanksgiving) and Aidan Gillen (“Game of Thrones,” Maze Runnerfranchise). The film is directed by Allan Ungar (Bandit, Sympathy for the Devil), and is co-written by Ungar, Omer Levin Menekse (Please Hold, The Terrorist) and Quinn Wolfe (Pillow Talk).
SYNOPSIS: After fleeing the UK from a job gone wrong, a down on his luck hitman is forced to babysit the son of his new crime boss and show him how to become a man.
Run Time: 114 minutes Rating: R
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US Narrative Competition
Jessica Lowe is positively loathsome as influencer girlfriend Sadie. You cannot help but laugh at her ridiculously aloof behavior. Brendan Scannell as Runway Dave and Asif Ali as Angry Mike provide the added laughs to round out our group of guys. They give unforgettable performances.
The script has honest Hangover vibes. While I wish the film focused more on actual roommate scenarios and less on the wacky road trip aspect, I still laughed my ass off. The climate change aspect is subtle and pitch-perfect. Kudos to the writers for using it effectively. The numerous cameos and ancillary characters no doubt strengthen the film, from beginning to end. Rob Riggle, Flula Borg, and Parvesh Cheena leave lasting impressions. In the end, raunchy and over-the-top, BROMATES is undeniably goofy as hell. You’ll laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all.
The film has some super fun camera work, taking advantage of go-pro technology, warping depth perception, and speed dynamics. Genuine laugh-out-loud dialogue pairs excellently with the ultra-violence. The choreography that went into some of these takes should be applauded. Performances are riotous. The line between villain and hero is blurred, making for an increasingly fun watch. I could easily see the rights for the script being snatched up for Western audiences. Could Fantasia Fest 2021 audiences be seeing the first film in a potential franchise? Sweetie, You Won’t Believe It… until you see it for yourself.
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