The Mechanic is finding renewed streaming success. Directed by Simon West, with a script written by Lewis John Carlino and Richard Wenk as a remake of the 1972 film of the same name, the 2011 action thriller stars Jason Statham as a skilled contract killer known as a “mechanic,” who excels at disguising his ᴀssᴀssinations as accidents, suicides, or crimes committed by others.
Alongside Jason Statham in the starring role, the cast also includes Emmy nominee Ben Foster, Tony Goldwyn, Emmy winner Donald Sutherland, Jeff Chase, John McConnell, Mini Andén, Stuart Greer, Christa Campbell, Lance E. Nichols, J.D. Evermore, David Leitch, Mark Nutter, Lara Grice, Ada Michelle Loridans, Katarzyna Wolejnio, James Logan, Eddie J. Fernandez, and Joshua Bridgewater.
Now, 14 years after its release, The Mechanic ranks fifth in the Top 10 movies on Paramount+ in the United States for today, September 17, where it has been for the past seven days. It ranks below Smurfs, Stans, Blade, Top Gun: Maverick, and above Blade II, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, South Park: The End Of Obesity, Scary Movie, and The Painter.
What The Mechanic’s Streaming Success Means For The Movie
One year ago, The Mechanic landed on Netflix’s Top 10 chart in the United States for the week of September 30 through October 6, 2024, where it also finished in fifth place for the week. Now, with the movie no longer streaming on Netflix, The Mechanic is finding renewed streaming success on Paramount+.
This comes at a time when Jason Statham’s A Working Man is also dominating streaming, ranking first on Prime Video and MGM+’s Top 10 movies in the United States. It’s certainly a testament to how well Statham’s action vehicles perform on streaming, regardless of their box office performance and especially their critical reception.
For instance, The Mechanic received mixed reviews, as indicated by its 54% Rotten Tomatoes score. Critics praised Jason Statham and Ben Foster’s solid performances, but ultimately deemed it a shallow remake undermined by excessive violence and tired action-thriller clichés. It performed modestly at the box office, making $76.3 million against its $40 million budget.
Our Take On The Mechanic’s Streaming Success
Although The Mechanic is far from one of Jason Statham’s best movies, its streaming resurgence proves that a few slick explosions and the star’s trademark scowl can go a long way. The action sequences are easy enough to enjoy, even if the story feels like it was pieced together. Still, for fans of Statham’s eternally grumpy charisma, The Mechanic offers reliably brainless entertainment.