SHELTER
(director: Ric Roman Waugh; screenwriter: Ward Parry; cinematographer: Martin Ahlgren; editor: Matthew Newman; music: David Buckley; cast: Jason Statham (Mason), Bodhi Rae Breathnach (Jessie, teen niece), Bill Nighy (M16 Chief Manafort), Naomi Ackie (Roberta, M16 agent), Daniel Mays (old friend), Harriet Walter (Prime Minister), Bryan Vigier (Workman, hitman), Celine Buckens (M16 agent), Tom Wu (Kamal, old foe), Rodaidh Findlay (policeman’s son), Michael Shaeffer (Uncle fisherman), Daniel Mays (Mason’s former colleague), Gordon Alexander (Team Leader); Runtime: 107; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Jason Statham, John Friedberg, Brendon Boyea, Greg Silverman, Jon Berg; Black Bear Pictures; 2026-UK/USA)
“Looks like every other Statham action-pic.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
The American filmmaker Roman Waugh (“Night has Fallen”/”Kandahar”), a stuntman-turned- filmmaker, directs without passion this slick Jason Statham formulaic action pic that looks like every other Statham action-pic. Ward Parry is the screenwriter.
Mason (Jason Statham, in his 50s) is a former M16 assassin and highly-skilled black ops soldier hiding out as a recluse in an idle lighthouse with his loyal dog for the last decade on a remote Outer Hebrides Scottish island after disobeying orders as an agent to execute an innocent man. He regularly receives supplies from his fisherman uncle (Michael Shaeffer), who lately brings along his 12-year-old niece Jesse (Bodhi Rae Breathnach).
The supply boat is overturned during a storm killing the uncle and leaving his niece with an ankle injury received while trying to rescue him. Mason is seen on surveillance camera when on the mainland to get medical supplies to treat his niece. This forces Mason to go on the run with Jesse from the assassins sent by the smarmy and crooked M16 boss Manafort (Bill Nighy), who’s involved in a data-mining scandal. The most terrifying assassin sent is Workman (Bryan Vigier).
Agent Roberta (Naomi Ackie) is leading the pursuit of Mason. She’s the one who replaced him. At one point she becomes uncertain her boss is telling the truth, and tries to redirect the mission.
The best high-octane action scenes come when Mason takes on a horde of policemen who attack him at the lighthouse. There’s also a loud shootout at a nightclub.
The classy Brit actress Harriet Walter has a small part as the corrupt Prime Minister.
It’s your typical well-executed, low brow, Statham action-pic.
REVIEWED ON 2/11/2026 GRADE: C+
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