Jason Statham's 107-Minute Action Hit Explodes on Streaming

We are well aware that, by now, Jason Statham could probably make a violent, kinetic thriller about a man who disputes a parking ticket and people would queue up out the door to watch it. If you throw in Statham in a remote house, with a mysterious past, and some heavily armed idiots who turn up to ruin his peace, then you know we're going to be on safe ground, and that's why audiences have turned up again on streaming.

One of Statham's newest films, Shelter, has found a second life on Prime Video and the thriller set in the most remote part of Scotland imaginable has been climbing the streaming charts after its theatrical run earlier this year. This is the perfect kind of role for him, and for his audience: He's a man who wants to be left the hell alone, and then someone makes the terrible decision of not leaving him alone.

Directed by Ric Roman Waugh, Shelter stars Statham as Michael Mason, a retired MI6 operative living alone on a remote island, basically because he really doesn't want to be bothered or even receive mail. His carefully isolated existence is disrupted when he selflessly rescues a young girl named Jessie (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) following an accident at sea, but that decision to leave the island exposes his location to his former superior, Stephen Manafort (Bill Nighy), who has been using a surveillance program to track him. When armed operatives arrive to take both of them out, the former assassin is forced to return to the violent life he attempted to leave behind. And that's why we love him. The cast also includes Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice), Daniel Mays (1917), and Harriet Walter (Succession).

Was 'Shelter' a Success?

Collider's Nate Richard opined in his review of the movie that "Shelter will give Statham devotees exactly what they're looking for," although adding, "It isn't particularly memorable, nor will it launch a franchise, but did it ever need to?" Shelter earned approximately $53 million worldwide against a reported production budget of $50 million, which fell well below Statham's recent hits. The Beekeeper earned more than $162 million worldwide, while A Working Man finished with approximately $89 million.