The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017)

The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017), directed by Patrick Hughes, is a high-octane action-comedy that pairs two unlikely leads—Ryan Reynolds as Michael Bryce, a disgraced executive protection agent, and Samuel L. Jackson as Darius Kincaid, a notorious hitman. The film thrives on the chaotic chemistry between its stars, blending explosive action sequences with razor-sharp banter and comedic tension.

The plot kicks off when Bryce, once considered the best bodyguard in the business, is reluctantly hired to escort Kincaid from the UK to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Kincaid has agreed to testify against a brutal Eastern European dictator, played with menacing flair by Gary Oldman. The catch? Dozens of armed mercenaries will do everything they can to make sure he doesn’t arrive alive.

What follows is a globe-trotting road movie filled with car chases, shootouts, and escalating verbal sparring. The film’s action scenes are stylishly choreographed, leaning into over-the-top violence and destruction with a self-aware sense of fun. But the real engine of the movie is the dynamic between Reynolds and Jackson. Bryce is uptight, methodical, and obsessed with rules. Kincaid, by contrast, is reckless, philosophical in his own chaotic way, and completely unfiltered. Their clashing personalities turn every situation into both a firefight and a comedy routine.

Amid the explosions and punchlines, the film also weaves in a few emotional beats. Kincaid is motivated by love—he’s doing all of this to free his wife Sonia (Salma Hayek), a ferocious and hilarious scene-stealer in her own right. Bryce, meanwhile, grapples with trust and betrayal after losing everything due to a former client’s death. Though the film never gets too heavy, these moments add just enough heart to keep the story grounded.

While The Hitman’s Bodyguard isn’t trying to reinvent the action genre, it knows exactly what it is: a loud, fast-paced buddy comedy with charismatic leads and a sense of humor about itself. The jokes hit more often than not, and the energy never dips for long. It’s a popcorn movie in the best sense—slick, silly, and wildly entertaining.

In conclusion, The Hitman’s Bodyguard is a riotous ride that delivers explosive action and constant laughs. Reynolds and Jackson are a perfectly mismatched duo whose chemistry makes the film more than just another shoot-’em-up. It’s the kind of movie made for a fun night in—and maybe a sequel or two.