The Union: All you need to know about Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry's high school romance turned into spy mission

Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry team up in The Union for a thrilling spy adventure.

The Union on Netflix

August 16, 2024, marks the debut of The Union on Netflix. The film featuring Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry is all set to drop in the coming days, and the trailer, which was released a few weeks ago, has definitely excited the action-packed film.

Roxanne's re-entry into Mike's life

When Mike's high school ex-girlfriend Roxanne (Halle Berry) re-enters his life after a dramatic career shift, it upends his peaceful working-class life. It seems like Roxanne had to be this guy's soulmate; he stayed put because he hoped she would return to him in some way. They were involved in an illicit romance during their time in high school, and he would do everything for her, including keeping her close by his side at all times. Her smile is his sole source of motivation.

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Naturally, Roxanne's motives are a little different; she is an agent of the clandestine and somewhat unconventional government organisation known as The Union. Berry informed Netflix that the CIA and FBI outsource their dirty jobs to the Union. They bring this crew in when they truly need the work done. The Union recruits these common, blue-collar labourers and trains them in battle intelligence and tactical weaponry.

Additionally, Mike recently received a job offer. In his home state of New Jersey, construction worker Mike is content with his basic life—that is, until Roxanne, his high school sweetheart from years ago, turns up—but she has other plans. Sparks fly as they embark on a perilous intelligence operation in Europe, reuniting in a world of espionage and high-speed automobile chases. She knows Mike is the guy for the job, so she hires him. 

Direction and screenplay details

Julian Farino directs The Union which stars Mike Colter, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica De Gouw, Alice Lee, Jackie Earle Haley, and J.K. Simmons, from a screenplay by Joe Barton and David Guggenheim.

Shortly after asking Stephen Levinson, a long-time producing partner at Wahlberg's, "What would it be like if we ever got to be the guy in the tuxedo?" The idea for The Union was born.

The central romance in The Union

Even with all the goings on in The Union the creators made sure the romantic relationship between the leads remained front and centre. Farino predicted that Roxanne's and Mike's romance would define the film. He always believed that the most important part of the movie was making sure that our characters were involved in all the explosions, fun, and games.

The inspiration for Wahlberg's character came from an unexpected place. He remarked that Mike has this special talent of not being afraid. As a steelworker, he's associated with the stereotypical image of men eating sandwiches while perched on a beam fifty stories above the ground. Going up there, even with a wire on, can be quite frightening. Wahlberg, meanwhile, wasn't exactly carefree about his antics.

ALSO READ: The Union trailer: Mark Wahlberg gets into spy mode to impress ex flame, Halle Berry

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