Jason Statham's Hidden Gem 'Blitz' Lands on Prime Video
A 2011 action thriller featuring one of Statham's most acclaimed performances as a rule-breaking detective has quietly arrived on streaming platforms, offering viewers a chance to discover this overlooked crime drama.
Jason Statham has built his reputation on high-octane franchises like The Transporter series, The Meg, and The Mechanic films. Yet among his extensive filmography lies a hidden treasure that many fans have overlooked – a gritty police thriller that critics praised as showcasing the action star at his peak performance level.
A Detective Story Worth Discovering
The 2011 crime drama follows Detective Sergeant Tom Brant, a character perfectly suited to Statham's strengths. This unconventional cop operates outside traditional boundaries, preferring to bend regulations and crack skulls while pursuing justice. The story centers on Brant's investigation into a serial killer who specifically targets law enforcement officers across South East London.
Elliott Lester directed this intense thriller, working from Nathan Parker's screenplay. The supporting cast includes notable performers like Paddy Considine, Aidan Gillen, Mark Rylance, Zawe Ashton, Luke Evans, and David Morrissey, all contributing to the film's authentic British crime atmosphere.
Critical Reception and Streaming Availability
The movie received mixed reactions from both professional reviewers and general audiences, earning respective Rotten Tomatoes ratings of 48% and 36%. However, those who connected with the material found plenty to appreciate in its approach to the crime genre.
Hot Press awarded the thriller a strong 4/5 rating, describing it as "Smart, sharp, shocking, and at times bloody (and bloodily) hilarious, Blitz's witty script and pacy action elevates its simple premise into a brilliantly gritty tale of moral ambiguity." Empire magazine characterized it as "a rough-cut crime thriller that sees Jason Statham back on familiar turf and doing what he does best." The Scotsman noted that the film "knows exactly where its strength lies," while Daily Mirror concluded with another 4/5 review: "It's gritty, down and dirty, and Statham has never been better."
Future Projects on the Horizon
Statham's upcoming schedule promises an action-packed 2026, with multiple high-profile releases planned. His collaboration with Angel Has Fallen director Ric Roman Waugh, titled Shelter, arrives in theaters January 30, 2026. The story follows a isolated man on a remote coastal island who rescues a young girl from a dangerous storm, forcing him to confront his troubled past while protecting her through a tense survival journey.
Additionally, Statham will star in Mutiny, directed by Plane filmmaker Jean-François Richet, scheduled for August 21, 2026. He's also set to reunite with The Beekeeper franchise for a sequel directed by Timo Tjahjanto, with Amazon MGM Studios handling distribution.