Spenser’s Justice: An Old-School Buddy Cop Movie for the Modern Age
Five years ago, cop Spenser crossed the line: he stormed into his corrupt chief’s office, gave him a brutal beating, and landed himself in prison, where he became a target for inmates with a grudge against the police. Now a free man, he plans to get his life back on track, preferably far away from the dirty dealings of the police force. But first, he needs a place to lay low, so he turns to his old (in every sense of the word) friend, Henry. Spenser moves back into his old room, only to find it’s already occupied by Hawk, a hulking, health-obsessed fighter. When that corrupt chief turns up dead, and another cop is framed for the murder, Spenser has no choice but to dive back into the police corruption that started five years ago.
Netflix seems to have a particular appetite for testosterone-fueled action movies. Films like “Triple Frontier” and “6 Underground” exemplify the kind of action flicks that resonate with the streaming service and its audience. These are movies where characters deliver cheesy one-liners, walk away from explosions without looking back, and fight for honor and justice against corrupt cops, powerful tycoons, or rogue heads of state. While Michael Bay seamlessly integrates these elements into his over-the-top style, other Netflix action films often feel watered down and forgettable.
“Spenser Confidential” struggles to measure up even to Bay’s less impressive work. Peter Berg, known for his action films starring Mark Wahlberg (“Deepwater Horizon,” “Patriots Day”), takes a more conservative approach. His latest film comfortably settles into the familiar territory of an old-school buddy cop movie, balancing seriousness and humor. However, the partnership between the two leads, who inevitably become friends, isn’t the central focus and doesn’t really kick in until the second half. Perhaps that’s for the best, as Spenser and Hawk don’t exactly have a strong contrast, sharing more similarities than differences.
Wahlberg’s Lone Wolf Act
For the first half of the film, Wahlberg, with his determined, bloodhound-like expression, single-handedly investigates the police, uncovers clues, questions widows, and hides from his volatile girlfriend (leading to an awkward sex scene in a vegan cafe). In between, he tries to adjust to the modern world, baffled by his roommate’s lactose-free milk, but ultimately remains a typical character in this type of story: a former cop left to fend for himself. He’s a testosterone-fueled tough guy who calls everyone “brother” and boils over at the sight of injustice. There’s even a hilarious scene where, after the predictable victory over evil, he’s celebrating with Hawk and Henry in a cafe when a news report about the arrest of a working-class firefighter triggers his rage. Spenser’s face tightens with anger, and his friends beg him to change the channel, perhaps to avoid a sequel.
Self-Awareness and Old-School Tropes
“Spenser Confidential” possesses a surprising level of self-awareness. The aforementioned cafe scene, to some extent, deconstructs the tired image of the brave American vigilante who has lost his idealized heroic status. Other jokes play on the “OK Boomer” meme, poking fun at the outdated nature of Henry and Spenser. The former, unsurprisingly, struggles with FaceTime and video calls, while Wahlberg’s character tries to adapt to modern hipster trends. Peter Berg seems to be in a similar position. His straightforward 90s-style plots about corrupt cops and deceitful drug cartels, culminating in equally unremarkable action sequences, are charming in their naive adherence to genre conventions. But times are changing, and it’s hard to ignore. Can this old-school hero archetype still exist in this environment? Yes, but he’s more likely to resemble a parody of Clint Eastwood.