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The missed kiss in The Union was an intentional choice to build anticipation for a potential trilogy of films with Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry. The chemistry between Wahlberg and Berry, combined with the success of the first film, has left the possibility of a Union 2 wide open. Despite some negative reviews and lukewarm reception, the allure of a Mark Wahlberg-Halle Berry sequel hinges on audience interest.

The most recent Netflix movie to climb to the top of the charts, The Union, has had many tuning in for the romantic pairing of two icons on the screen: Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry. Yet the spy-thriller with a rom-com twist has left many wanting more, specifically in the romance department. The lingering question is, why did the two not land that kiss despite their chemistry and the romantic overtones of the movie?

The truth has been revealed about why this pivotal scene was omitted.

Halle Berry recently left Ryan Murphy's legal drama, All's Fair, but wishes the best for the project with Kim Kardashian and Glenn Close. Murphy's new Hulu series follows a divorce lawyer at an all-female law firm, with a star-studded cast including Sarah Paulson. Berry stars in Netflix's comedy thriller film "The Union" with Mark Wahlberg, climbing Netflix's charts despite mixed reviews.

A few weeks after Halle Berry left Ryan Murphy's newest legal drama, All's Fair, the actor has spoken out about her sudden exit from the project. She was set to star alongside an exciting ensemble cast led by Kim Kardashian and Glenn Close. Berry was also set to executive produce the series, but now she's no longer attached to the project in any way, reportedly due to a scheduling conflict.

During a red carpet event for her latest film, The Union, an Entertainment Tonight reporter asked...

Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg's newly-released spy action comedy thriller, The Union, continues to divide critics days after its release. Despite the mixed reviews, the film finds instant success on Netflix as audiences tune in to see its acclaimed lead stars.

Per Collider, The Union is at the top of Netflix's Top 10 movie chart following its Aug. 16 premiere. The espionage film outdueled two Kingsman films and the animated movie, Ferdinand, to take the top spot on the streamer.

Related 'He Will Always Be My Bond': Halle Berry Praises Die Another Day Co-Star Pierce Brosnan

Halle Berry reflected on her time as a Bond Girl in the movie Die Another Day, saying Pierce Brosnan "restored my faith in men."

The Union sees Wahlberg's construction worker character, Mike McKenna, living normally until it's turned upside down when his former high school sweetheart, Roxanne Hall (Berry), re-appears in his life after 20 years.

Warning! This article contains Spoilers for The Union.

Nick's death is a result of his betrayal of Roxanne and double-crossing The Union. Mike Colter, who plays Nick, says it stems from Nick trying to "further his own agenda." Halle Berry, who plays Roxanne, explains her character is "over him by that point".

Halle Berry and Mike Colter explain The Unions ending and what happened to Nick Faraday. The movie follows New Jersey-based construction worker Mike McKenna (Mark Wahlberg), who is unexpectedly approached by his former girlfriend and Union agent Roxanne Hall (Berry) to take on a dangerous job. Along with Wahlberg and Berry, the cast of The Union includes J.K. Simmons, Jackie Earle Haley, Jessica De Gouw, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Colter, who portrays Nick. The ex-husband of Roxanne, Nick reveals himself to be a disreputable agent and is killed near the film's conclusion.

Speaking with EW, Colter explained what was...

Halle Berry gives a great performance in The Union -- one boosted by her real-life backstory with co-star Mark Wahlberg. The Netflix movie stars Berry as Roxanne Hall, a top-notch operative for the titular group, whose world is rocked when someone steals a list containing the identities of government agents. Needing a fresh face to get it back, she turns to a civilian: her high school sweetheart, whom she hasn't seen since then.

In an interview with Cbr, Berry explained how far back her friendship with Wahlberg goes and how that off-screen dynamic improved the bond between Roxanne and Wahlberg's character Mike McKenna in The Union. She also spoke about what differentiated Roxanne from the other strong women she's portrayed, such as Storm in the X-Men films. Plus, what would she like to see for her character if Netflix orders The Union 2?

Cbr: You're no stranger to playing strong characters,...

Warning: Spoilers lie ahead for The Union!

The Union left room for a sequel, hinting at a potential continuation of Mike and Roxanne's journey. Netflix suggested a three-movie plan from the start, including leaving out a kiss between Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry's characters. Negative reviews and Netflix's changing production strategies could impact the chances of The Union 2 coming to fruition.

After waiting 30 years to work together on screen, Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry address the chances of The Union 2. The Netflix movie sees the former two-time Oscar nominee star as Mike McKenna, a New Jersey construction worker who is reunited with his high school sweetheart Roxanne Hall, played by the latter Oscar winner, as she attempts to recruit him for her secret intelligence agency and embark on a mission to recover sensitive data. Alongside Wahlberg and Berry, the ensemble Union cast includes J.K. Simmons, Mike Colter, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje,...

The Union falls short compared to other spy genre films, despite Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry's excellent chemistry. The plot is preposterous, and the action lacks intensity, making the film feel mediocre. Despite a strong cast, the movie's simple story, underwhelming action, and lack of surprises disappoint.

Though typically a launchpad for action sequences and globe-trotting adventures, the spy genre can sometimes be used for comedic or even romantic stories. Some of the more notable examples include the Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz-led Knight and Day, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon's This Means War and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Unfortunately for The Union, it never quite reaches the same height as some of its genre counterparts, despite some stellar chemistry between its leads.

The Union (2024)

Director Julian FarinoRelease Date August 16, 2024Studio(s) Closest to the Hole Productions, Municipal Pictures,...

Warning: Spoilers for The Union below!

The Union ends without a kiss between its leads, similar to another 2024 blockbuster, Twisters. The lack of kisses in mainstream blockbusters signals a shift away from romance in big-budget films. The move away from romance in Hollywood is in response to younger viewers wanting less focus on sex and relationships in their entertainment,

Netflix's spy rom-com The Union makes the same odd choice regarding kissing between its leads that another 2024 blockbuster did. There is no shortage of Mark Wahlberg action movies, but his new Netflix romp is still a change of pace. It has the expected shootouts and car chases, but it's also Wahlberg's first real spy adventure. The Union also cast Halle Berry as the co-lead, with Berry's Roxanne being the top agent in the titular spy group who recruits her ex-boyfriend for a dangerous mission.

As much as the film has...

The Union is a spy action comedy-thriller film directed by Julian Farino from a screenplay co-written by Joe Barton and David Guggenheim. The Netflix film follows the story of Mike McKenna, a simple construction who gets roped into the world of espionage by his ex-girlfriend from high school. The Union stars Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry in the lead roles with Mike Colter, Jessica De Gouw, Alice Lee, J.K. Simmons, and Lorraine Bracco starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the action, comedy, the world of spies, and the romance between the leading duo in The Union, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Ghosted (Apple TV+) Credit – Apple TV+

Ghosted is a romantic comedy and action-adventure film directed by Dexter Fletcher from a screenplay co-written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Chris McKenna, and Erik Sommers. The 2023 film follows the story of Cole, a simple farmer...

Netflix is back with a new star-studded action movie — this time led by Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry — with “The Union.” Wahlberg stars as Mike, a Jersey construction worker who finds his average life turned upside down when his high school sweetheart Roxanne (Berry) shows up and he gets tangled up in a continent-skipping international intelligence adventure.

But Berry and Wahlberg aren’t the only familiar faces in the Netflix romp. Here’s a handy guide to “The Union” cast and the characters they play.

Halle Berry in “The Union” (Laura Radford/Netflix)

Halle Berry as Roxanne Hall — Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry stars as The Union operative Roxanne Hall, an ass-kicking, world-traveling adventurer who never misses her shot. Berry is best known for her superhero roles, playing Storm in the “X-Men” films and Catwoman in “Catwoman,” as well as her Best Actress-winning performance in “Monster’s Ball.” Her well-known titles also include “John Wick 3,...

Mike and Roxanne end up back together by the end of Netflix's The Union. Roxanne's estranged husband Nick (Mike Colter) betrayed the Union after growing disillusioned with the job. The Union recruits "blue collar" people for their unique skills and ability to blend in.

The Union sees a spy recruiting her old boyfriend for a dangerous mission, but they do end up together by the time the credits roll? The titular Union is a spy organization made up of "blue collar" people, and after a failed mission to retrieve classified information in the movie's opening, they need to recruit a "nobody" for an operation to retrieve it. This leads Agent Roxanne Hall (Halle Berry) to reconnect with ex-boyfriend Mike (Mark Wahlberg), a construction worker whose life has grown stagnant. After Mike reluctantly signs on, he's given two weeks of training to become a spy.

Mike proves better than anybody expected,...

The Union is a high-stakes cat-and-mouse thriller where the members of the Union work tirelessly for their organization, dedicated to safeguarding their country’s secrets and ensuring the success of their missions. Throughout their journey, they encounter a web of betrayal, espionage, and murder. Let’s find out how these characters overcome the odds from this cast and character guide.

Spoilers Ahead

Mike McKenna

Mike’s character, played by Mark Wahlberg, undergoes a transformation from an ordinary construction worker to a crucial Union agent, driven largely by his deep affection for Roxanne, his high school sweetheart. You know, Mike started out as just a regular guy—a construction worker who could blend in with anyone and was known for his straightforward, down-to-earth personality. Even though he seemed pretty ordinary, he had this surprising strength and determination, kind of like a stuntman. People liked him because he was genuine and charming,...

This weekend, Netflix continues to chase the rapidly approaching end of summer with exciting new releases that will get everyone watching and talking. Between a new true crime documentary series, new episodes of one of the streamer's most popular original series, and two movie stars joining forces for a summer popcorn movies, there's so much to add to your watch list.

Whether you're binge-watching the latest episodes of Emily in Paris or watching Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg kick some butt in their new Netflix action movie The Union, you can't go wrong with any of the streamer's newly released picks. Looking to be entertained and beat the heat? We're sharing four of the must-watch titles for this mid-August weekend.

Let's start the weekend recommendations list with the latest Netflix original movie!

The Union. (L to R) Halle Berry as Roxanne Hall and Mark Wahlberg as Mike McKenna in The Union.

You know, spy movies weren’t always wall-to-wall vacation porn. There was a time when a hero could go undercover and save the world, or at least some microfilm, without trotting all over the globe, trysting in fancy hotels, wrecking pricey cars and drinking top shelf booze. But thanks largely to the blockbuster films of James Bond, tales of subterfuge became synonymous with opulent power fantasies, where the hero is a suave and sophisticated sex god with an unlimited expense account.

Julian Farino’s “The Union” has a different premise. It’s about a secret organization called “The Union,” which, unlike the elitist and bureaucratic FBI and CIA, actually gets all the work done. They don’t recruit Ivy League graduates, they recruit blue collar workers — “Street smarts over book smarts.” In an era where the people running things don’t know how to make anything run, it’s a...

Life peaked in high school for Mike McKenna (Mark Wahlberg), whereas then-sweetheart Roxanne Hall (Halle Berry) managed to escape dead-end New Jersey and travel the world. While he joined the local construction workers union, she joined the Union, a clandestine spy group about whom Roxanne blandly claims, “Half the intelligence community don’t know we exist, and the other half regret finding out.”

A lazy wish-fulfillment fantasy from Netflix’s star-service department, “The Union” is actually the story of a reunion — Mike and Roxanne’s — set against the backdrop of a crisis we’ve seen one too many times in recent spy movies. For Wahlberg, the wish in question is wanting to be James Bond, which will never happen for the Dorchester-born American. And the fantasy is getting to play the next best thing, recruited by former Bond girl Halle Berry.

The movie’s big idea is to shoehorn a...

The Union may be another one of those globe-hopping, star-driven popcorn action movies Netflix has specialized in of late, but because of a fortuitous star teaming of Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry — two vets of the genre working together for the first time — it really is a cut above and just pure entertainment. Nothing wrong with that, though if this were made by Lionsgate, where both stars have a history, it would be a major late-summer theatrical, rather that being tossed into the streaming pool.

Nevertheless, it should find a global audience ready to buy into a premise as old as The Dirty Dozen and The A-Team and one that also just seems like the perfect TV series pilot if it were not for the glittering filmography of the principals involved.

The Union is a kind of underground group that comes in and does the dirty work for the CIA and FBI.

Roxanne Hall (Halle Berry) is a globetrotting superspy who executes intricate missions without breaking a sweat. Need to kidnap a billionaire crime lord from a heavily guarded hotel room without disturbing the other guests? She’s your woman. Is the world order as we know it threatening to collapse due to an unprecedented intelligence leak? She’s the one you call. So when Roxanne is faced with the most important mission of her career, it’s somewhat surprising that she decides to bring in extra help. What’s even more surprising is that her preferred phone-a-friend is her old boyfriend, who has never left his hometown or shown the slightest bit of interest in (or talent for) fighting crime.

When we first meet Mike McKenna, he’s waking up after a one-night-stand with his 7th grade English teacher. For those curious, it’s revealed they had sex “one and a half times.

Plot: Mike is happy living a simple life as a construction worker in his native New Jersey – until his long-lost high school sweetheart, Roxanne, shows up with more on her mind than romance. Knowing he’s the right man for the job, she recruits Mike on a dangerous intelligence mission in Europe that thrusts them back together into a world of spies and high-speed car chases, with sparks flying along the way.

Review: Spy franchises work when the main characters are augmented like Jason Bourne or elite veterans like James Bond and Ethan Hunt. When starting a new franchise, it is tricky to balance it and make it believable that an average nobody can quickly become a hero. The Union represents Mark Wahlberg’s second attempt in three years to play a seemingly average guy who has hidden skills that make him a vital resource to save the world. In 2021’s Infinite,...

Netflix’s new action comedy, The Union, stars Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg in the lead roles but fails to be the entertaining blockbuster that the makers wanted it to be. The plot follows Wahlberg’s Mike McKenna, a simpleton living his life in his hometown as a construction worker, when his high school love, Roxanne Hall (Halle Berry), suddenly wants to recruit him for a top-secret network of spies. Although the action sequences are still enjoyable, the romantic chemistry and emotional connection that The Union relies on is a bit too flimsy, and it overall makes for a rather forgettable watch.

Spoiler Alert

What is the Netflix film about?

The Union begins inside a luxurious hotel in Trieste, Italy, the Grand Hotel Castelletto, where a group of men rather suspiciously walk through the kitchen and the lobby, collecting suitcases and boxes from other individuals along the way. They are...

You think you know some people.

As if it weren’t surprising enough for Mike McKenna (Mark Wahlberg) that his long-lost high school sweetheart, Roxanne (Halle Berry), is now a spy working for an elite government organization, he’s soon also dealing with a series of double-crosses. As The Unionreaches its explosive finale, Mike and Roxanne contend with some unpleasant twists and turns — and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Construction worker Mike might seem an unlikely recruit for the special forces, but The Union isn’t your average secret agency. “Everybody loves Bond,” Wahlberg tells Tudum. “We realized that maybe we’re not going to get a chance to be James Bond, so what if we made our own version of a blue-collar James Bond?” That’s The Union: a superspy team of ordinary joes who have more street smarts than book smarts.

“The Union does...

The Mission: Impossible franchise is the pinnacle of action cinema in Hollywood. There’s nobody in the North American film industry who’s doing it like Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise, and everyone that’s ready to put their lives on the line for these two maniacs. That said, there are many who want to copy them without really putting in the effort that’s necessary to create memorable action sequences that feel tangible and realistic as hell. Recently, we got Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, which lifted scenes from the M:i franchise via the cheapest-looking visual effects available to mankind. Prime Video products such as Jack Ryan, Role Play, and Citadel have tried to do the same and failed every time. Netflix has been throwing millions of dollars at anyone and everyone so that they can have their very own spy franchise. As a result, we have some of the...

The following contains major spoilers for The Union, now streaming on Netflix.

Netflix's Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry flick The Union is the latest movie in the action-comedy subgenre -- and it works because of Wahlberg, Berry and their supporting cast. Action comedies often try so hard to be both cool and funny that many of them fail at either one. In welcome contrast, the actors in The Union have a high degree of self-awareness that makes the film entertaining, even when a stunt or a joke might not land.

There's no doubt that The Union wants to be cool. The film follows an elite group of government agents, and opens with the prototypical secret agent action sequence that audiences have seen many times before. But once Wahlberg and Berry are on screen together, the movie takes off and never looks back. Whether it gets the sequel it wants is up for debate,...

Warning: Spoilers for Netflix's The Union below!

The Union is a blue-collar James Bond movie with a focus on romance between the leads. The film has franchise potential and hints at further adventures for Mark Wahlberg's character Mike. The Union's cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, and J.K. Simmons in key roles.

The Union is Netflix's latest action-comedy and its cast is littered with movie stars and acclaimed character actors. The Union is the latest in the ever-expanding Mark Wahlberg action movie library, with the story involving a construction worker recruited by his high school sweetheart into a spy organization. The philosophy behind this group is that instead of selecting the so-called elite of Yale or Harvard, they recruit people from blue-collar backgrounds who know how to "get s*** done."

The Union is part spy movie - complete with the requisite gunfights and car chases - and part romantic comedy.

The Union is not a typical Mark Wahlberg action movie. Wahlberg is front and center in the fast-paced Netflix flick, but he's playing completely against the type he established in projects like Shooter and Contraband. Instead, his character Mike McKenna couldn't be more lost when it's time to fight the bad guys. And that surprise is one of the reasons the star enjoyed the film.

Ahead of The Union's Aug. 16 premiere, Cbr sat down with Wahlberg to discuss doing the exact opposite of what everyone expects from a Mark Wahlberg character. The actor also talked about his chemistry with co-stars Halle Berry and J.K. Simmons. Plus, what does Mark want to see Mike come away with after his life goes totally upside down?

Cbr: Audiences are used to seeing you as an action hero -- but in The Union, your character is completely ill-suited to save anyone. What was...

“Because I can, goddamn.”

So said Halle Berry last night when asked by The Hollywood Reporter why she selected a sheer, lingerie-style La Perla creation last night for the world premiere of Netflix’s The Union. The Julian Farino-directed action drama casts the 57-year-old Oscar winner as Roxanne, a member of a covert intelligence operation who recruits Mike, a down-to-earth construction worker from New Jersey played by Mark Wahlberg, to join a high-stakes mission. They happen to be high school sweethearts, and that’s another reason Berry braved the red carpet in the daring dress.

“I thought with the theme of this movie being lovers reuniting, it was time to bring this out,” she continued. “This is also where I’m at today.”

Berry, styled by Lindsay Flores, poses in La Perla outside Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre.

Another place Berry finds herself with The Union is starring opposite Wahlberg...

Whether you have been waiting patiently or kicking and screaming the whole way through, the long wait for new episodes of Emily in Paris finally ends this week! The hit Netflix original romantic comedy series debuts the first half of its highly anticipated fourth season, and the show's fans around the world are surely rejoicing. But there's plenty more new releases to check out throughout the week.

Beyond the light-hearted fare Emily in Paris brings to the dog days of summer, Netflix also debuts a pair of new true crime documentary series perfect for any viewers looking for something a little chilling. American Murder: Laci Peterson retreads the tragic headline-grabbing story from over 20 years ago, while Worst Ex Ever recounts haunting true stories of nightmare relationships.

On top of these binge-worthy titles primed to take over your weekly watch list, Netflix also debuts a star-studded original action film that's sure to be a big hit.