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This Jason Statham classic is a hit on Netflix. That's why it still hurts so much

As you look at the dozens of action movies available to stream on Netflix, you may be wondering how to choose which movies are actually worth your time. Since the service both regularly releases new titles and pulls in archive titles from the history of cinema, it can be difficult to narrow down the selection.

However, if you're looking for a solid action movie, The mechanic could be one of your best bets on the streamer. The film that spawned an entire franchise stars Jason Statham as Arthur Bishop, a member of an elite group of assassins who usually carries out his missions with precision. However, when he is asked to kill his friend and mentor, things get personal. Here are four reasons why you should watch the film while it's on Netflix.

We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, And The best films on Disney+.

It's a more violent Statham than you might be used to

THE MECHANIC (2011) | Hollywood.com movie trailer | #Movies #MovieTrailers

On-screen violence can be shocking and grotesque under the wrong circumstances The mechanic makes you curious about the level of blood and gore that the film contains. If you're used to Statham banging heads together in a more PG-friendly format, The mechanic may be shocking for you.

Some of the critics who reviewed the film at the time said that the film was too violent and gory to be good, but with some distance, the film's bloodshed feels like exactly the cure needed for blockbusters that many of which ignore real, dramatic costs of violence.

Ben Foster delivers an excellent villainous performance

Jason Statham and Ben Foster in The Mechanic

Lionsgate

If you've ever seen Ben Foster in a role, you probably know that he's an actor willing to give it his all. Here, as Bishop's ally and later (spoiler alert) eventual enemy, we get to see Foster uncork himself in a way that Statham doesn't normally do.

Not every film needs the energy that Foster brings here, but there is a reason for it The mechanic This is so much fun because Statham's much more reserved, steely performance works perfectly with the offbeat energy Foster brings to his role. Their story of allies-turned-enemies is a classic action film, but it works in part because of Foster's performance.

Jason Statham gets a little more serious

Jason Statham in The Mechanic. Jason Statham in The Mechanic.

Lionsgate

At some point, Jason Statham became a parody of himself. There's nothing wrong with that. His appearance in spyin which he plays a stunning epitome of masculinity is great and he's pretty solid in the Fast & Furious series too. Here, however, Statham becomes a real action star rather than a parody of one, and it turns out he's pretty good at it too.

Statham addresses the grief and conflict that motivates his character, specifically The mechanic is an action film, it leans more towards John Wick side of the spectrum. Statham proves that it also works in this form.

It doesn't overstay its welcome

THE MECHANIC Clip – “Bishop Kills Sebastian” (2011) Jason Statham

If an action movie is truly great, the running time can't be too long. However, most action films focus on a few too many scenes that either focus on the characters or set pieces that feel boring or repetitive.

After just 92 minutes The mechanic doesn't have this problem in the slightest. Instead, the film feels remarkably tight, and it's clear that director Simon West knew exactly how to tell the story he wanted to tell without adding too much unnecessary padding.

The mechanic is now streaming Netflix.