He’s trained for combat—but this time, war comes to his doorstep
The Commando (2022), directed by Asif Akbar, is a gritty home-invasion action thriller centered on DEA agent James Baker, played by Michael Jai White. After suffering from severe PTSD following a botched mission, James returns home to recover. But peace is short-lived—his house becomes the target of a ruthless crew looking to retrieve $3 million hidden in the walls.
Michael Jai White delivers a grounded and intense performance, combining physical dominance with emotional vulnerability. He plays Baker as a man on edge—haunted by his past, yet fiercely protective of his family. When the intruders come knocking, Baker flips from healing veteran to lethal defender in an instant. White’s martial arts skills add authenticity to the brutal fight scenes scattered throughout the film.
Mickey Rourke plays Johnny, the criminal mastermind behind the break-in. Unfortunately, Rourke’s performance feels subdued and uninspired. As the main villain, he lacks the menace needed to truly raise the stakes, leaving much of the tension to White’s inner conflict and the ticking clock of survival.
The film has moments of sharp tension and explosive action, but they're buried beneath slow pacing and uneven direction. Dialogue often feels forced, and the emotional weight of Baker’s PTSD—while promising—isn’t fully explored. Visually, the movie struggles with shaky camera work and inconsistent editing, making some action sequences hard to follow.
Still, The Commando isn’t without merit. When it leans into its strengths—hand-to-hand combat, psychological pressure, and tight, enclosed tension—it scratches that old-school action itch. It's not groundbreaking, but for fans of B-movie thrills and personal-stakes showdowns, it may just hit the spot.
