With the release of another Guy Ritchie movie, it’s a great time to rewatch his recent hit with Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Guy Ritchie’s best movies usually demonstrate his flair for dark humor, with a dash of exciting action and some seedy characters. Since making a name for himself with British gangster comedies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, Ritchie has branched out into a few different genres. Still, he often gravitates toward action and crime, or a thrilling blend of the two.

Ritchie’s Fountain of Youth recently released on AppleTV+ to mixed reviews, but the director has been fairly prolific in recent years, so there are other movies for his fans to discover. Since the familiar crime comedy territory of The Gentlemen, Ritchie has focused more on action, whether he’s directed spy thrillers, war dramas or heist movies. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare touches on all these genres at once. It’s classic Ritchie in many ways, with a fun ensemble cast, plenty of snappy dialogue and an unmistakable swagger.

The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare Is Guy Ritchie’s Best Recent Movie

Ritchie Hasn’t Created Anything As Entertaining And Joyful Since The Gentlemen

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is based on a true story, but it takes some creative liberties as and when Ritchie pleases. However, the core elements of the unlikely espionage narrative are true. What Ritchie brings to the table is his characteristic rhythms of dialogue and his penchant for rough, rogue characters. Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson fill two of these roles superbly, and they strike up an entertaining dynamic as two key parts of an unofficial military unit seeking to disrupt the Nazi war machine.

Cavill and Ritchson offer a lively mixture of action hero music and wry comedic timing. Ritchson plays a Danish bruiser, famed for his skills and pᴀssion when it comes to killing Nazis. Cavill plays a slightly more reserved character, as the resourceful and charming leader of the gang. Their mismatched dynamic sums up the plucky spirit that runs throughout The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, as characters from all walks of life pool their skills to indulge in some Nazi-bashing fun. In this regard, there are hints of Indiana Jones or Inglourious Basterds in the action, although the subversive joy of crime capers is also a key factor.

Why Didn’t The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare Perform Better?

The Spy Thriller Had An Unusual Release

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare grossed just $29.7 million, which seems like a disappointment considering its $60 million budget. However, it’s worth remembering that it didn’t have a conventional release pattern. Although The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare had a limited release in the United States, it went direct to streaming platforms in other countries, even Ritchie’s home of Great Britain. This mirrors the limited release patterns of several of Ritchie’s recent movies, like Wrath of Man, The Covenant and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.

Henry Cavill & Alan Ritchson Will Hopefully Team Up Again

The Two Action Stars Have More To Offer

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare ends with Winston Churchill rewarding the ragtag group of spies for their efforts in ridding the Atlantic of German U-Boats. He states that their clandestine operations can continue as they now work for him, but this doesn’t mean that fans should be expecting a sequel any time soon. In other circumstances, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare could easily sustain a sequel or two, but since the story is based on real history, it would be extremely unusual for Ritchie to concoct with a fictional follow-up.

Even though a sequel to The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare isn’t on the cards, this doesn’t mean that Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson won’t get a chance to reignite their chemistry once again. It’s possible that Ritchie could call on them both again, since he’s the kind of director who likes to work with his favorite actors multiple times. Even if they were working with a different director, Ritchson and Cavill may still find their paths crossing in the future. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare shows that they have more to offer as a duo.