The Wrecking Crew (2026): Blood, Bullets, and Brotherhood

The Wrecking Crew is a Hollywood action comedy starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista as reluctant half-brothers that embark on a mission to investigate their estranged father’s death. The movie was released directly to Prime Video on January 28^th, 2026. Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, the film was written by Jonathan Tropper and has a runtime of 2 hours. Momoa and Bautista are also credited as producers of the film.

Premise

Near Waikiki, Hawaii, a man hurriedly mails a package, sensing he’s being followed. Moments after leaving the post office, he’s deliberately struck and killed by a van in a staged hit-and-run.

The victim is revealed to be Walter Hale (pronounced Ha-Lay), whose death is reported to his son, U.S. Navy SEAL James Hale, during a training session. That evening, James informs his wife, Leila, with unsettling detachment. Disturbed, she urges him to contact his estranged brother, but James refuses.

The brother, Jonny Hale, is a suspended Oklahoma detective and struggling alcoholic. After his girlfriend Valentina leaves him, Leila calls to inform him of Walter’s death and the funeral. Mid-call, Jonny is ambushed by Yakuza members demanding a package Walter supposedly sent him. Jonny denies ever receiving it as he takes them out.

At Walter’s funeral, Jonny unexpectedly appears, much to James’s displeasure. Both brothers notice several gang and mafia figures quietly in attendance, there to confirm Walter is truly dead, given the arrests he made as a private investigator. After a strained reunion, Walter is laid to rest, and the brothers trade passive-aggressive barbs that reveal they are half-brothers: Walter left James’s mother, Malia, for Jonny’s mother, Kim, who was later brutally murdered.

A family dinner follows with Leila, the children, cousin Nani, and family friend Peter Mahoe, the Governor of Hawaii. Jonny announces he believes Walter’s death was murder, clashing with James’s insistence it was a random hit-and-run. Jonny mentions the Yakuza attack, but James dismisses it, accusing him of stirring trouble. Bitter, Jonny recalls James’s similar refusal to investigate Kim’s death. James counters that Jonny’s suspicions are driven by unresolved trauma. The argument escalates, and Jonny storms off.

He ends up at a bar, where he’s roofied and abducted by the local Syndicate. Their leader, Mr. K., reminds Jonny of the violent spree he went on against their members, accusing them of his mother’s murder, and gives him seven days to finish mourning Walter and leave Hawaii.

Despite his earlier refusal, James quietly begins investigating Walter’s death, using his connections to recover what was taken from the crime scene. He’s told nearby street cameras were down, but manages to trace one feed to a local brothel.

Jonny follows his own leads to Walter’s ransacked apartment, where he finds Walter’s former assistant, and spy, Pika, along with suspicious government blueprints. He asks Nani, who works for the governor, to trace their origin. Their search is abruptly interrupted by James, whose trail has led him there as well. James shares the footage he obtained, clearly showing Walter’s death was a deliberate hit.

Identifying the van used, the brothers head out together but are ambushed by Yakuza enforcers. After a brutal fight, they’re taken to the police station, where Detective Sergeant Rennet warns them to drop the investigation before they provoke the Yakuza and endanger others. He also reveals Jonny’s suspended status to James. Undeterred, the brothers request a list of all blue vans registered in the city.

That night, Nani reveals the blueprints from Walter’s home belong to a construction firm owned by multimillionaire Marcus Robichaux. James realizes that they’re for a proposed casino—an oddity, since gambling is illegal in Hawaii. The brothers decide to confront Robichaux. The next day, they visit the intended construction site and instead find a centuries-old community devoted to preserving traditional Hawaiian life, guarding the land through generations. Soon after, Rennet calls them in: a blue van has been recovered from the ocean, containing the body of a local accountant. Reviewing the vehicle registry list Rennet provides, the brothers identify a single van registered under a Japanese name, confirming direct Yakuza involvement in Walter’s murder.

That evening, Pika helps the brothers infiltrate Robichaux’s fundraiser disguised as caterers. They split up—Jonny works the bar while James heads to the kitchen. Jonny flirts with a woman who reveals herself as Robichaux’s wife, Monica. She’s shaken when Jonny mentions Walter’s death, admitting she hired Walter to investigate Robichaux for leverage in their impending divorce. She asks Jonny to meet her at her hotel the next day.

Elsewhere, James encounters a Yakuza member, Nakamura, who recognizes him and taunts him about Walter’s death. The brothers are soon escorted to a private meeting with Robichaux himself. They confront him, but Robichaux claims he hired Walter to investigate Monica for infidelity and denies any role in Walter’s murder—despite his clear Yakuza ties and even the severed fingers on his table. He dismisses them, later lingering ominously over a portrait of his wife.

The next day, Jonny arrives at Monica’s hotel to find a crime scene: her body lies crushed on the roof of a car, having been thrown from her room window.

This kickstarts a dangerous turn of events as after a confrontation with Robichaux that gets Jonny arrested, the brothers settle their differences and find an unexpected breakthrough. But a culmination of enemies and a shocking betrayal puts their family in danger, and now the brothers must fight together to defend their home, and each other.

Cast and Performances

Jason Momoa as Jonny Hale
Dave Bautista as James Hale
Jacob Batalon as Pika
Frankie Adams as Haunani “Nani” Palakiko
Morena Baccarin as Valentina
Claes Bang as Marcus Robichaux

The film also features the final performance of David Hekili Kenui Bell (as Alekai), who unfortunately passed away before its release.

Right off the bat, I’m incredibly impressed by the film’s insistence on creating a cast that majorly consists of natives of the culture that it attempts to showcase. Many various elements and themes of the film are dipped in traditional Hawaiian culture and heritage, which was all around a beautiful thing to witness.

Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa sitting in the rain in the wrecking crew

Bautista and Momoa displayed such a surprising amount of on-screen chemistry as brothers. Both being acting aces in their own right, you’d expect for their screen presence to perhaps clash or attempt to overshadow one other. But that doesn’t happen here. Here, their on-screen magnetism is incredibly balanced. Both characters were compelling, interesting to watch, and there was really enough room on the screen for both of them to shine in badassery and vulnerability alike. I loved the scene where they talked (and fought) out their feelings. Where James got to understand that he had accidentally abandoned Jonny while he was trying to be his big brother and protect him. It really showed us that none of them were at fault. Jonny held on to the anger of his mom being killed and not being able to protect her, while James saw that this same anger was driving Jonny further into the sharp, unforgiving jaws of the Syndicate, and tried to keep his little brother safe. But he wasn’t able to do much with Jonny’s anger and stubbornness, and so he sent the latter away for his own safety, but Jonny took that as being cast out. The absolute powerhouse team they make when they finally fully unite is so satisfying, and that warm moment they shared after James saves Jonny from being drowned absolutely melted my heart.

Not to mention, I loved the dialogue. From the meaningful Hawaiian language and terminology, to the sharp jabs that James and Jonny throw at each other, to the incredibly funny (but possibly offensive) humor, it all came together in incredibly well-rounded interactions between the characters.

What I Liked

Beyond the thrilling action, I really loved the other, more subtle themes that this film depicted; brotherhood, family, heritage, and recurring trauma. Jonny flying into a rage and storming off to confront Robichaux because the sight of Monica’s corpse on the street, eyes open, was eerily similar to that of his mother’s all those years ago, but then later softening up and making the decision to let go after he watches James’s son Kai apologize profusely in tears for not being able to protect Leila from being taken by the yakuza.

I loved the showcase of Hawaii and New Zealand, especially Hawaii. It’s about time people learned that it is not just a vacation spot. This is a society, a land of people, with their own customs, traditions, and way of life.

I can’t stress how much I love Bautista and Momoa on my screen together. Bring it back. Matter of fact, give me 15 more projects like this. Having two big, burly guys shed their “manly” exterior and embrace each other softly (with even a forehead kiss and tears) really puts a healing and important message out into the world about masculinity and brotherly affection.

Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa in The Wrecking Crew

What I Didn’t Like

Like I said, the dialogue, while genuinely interesting and hilarious, did involve some humor that would raise a few eyebrows, including mine (seriously, how many more Asian jokes do they have?). I also didn’t like their initial treatment of Valentina. She was such a badass icon and I think she genuinely had the potential to be the unexpected breakout star of this film, but often times, her character was merely reduced to “she’s really hot dude” over, and over, and over again, even when she was right there with them. I don’t know, it just rubbed me off the wrong way.

Also, the CGI wasn’t the best. I’m usually not one to nitpick something like that, but I can see how it might be a minor issue for most audiences.

Final Thoughts

This was a fun, feel-good project that definitely had its ups and downs, but if you can stomach or avoid the random gory jumpscares, you’ll definitely have a good time. Between the thrilling action, the beautiful aesthetics of the filming locations, the equally amazing cultural experience, the incredibly touching themes of family and brotherhood, and the badassery of our two main characters, there’s truly a lot to absorbed from the action packed, heartwarming tale.

I rate The Wrecking Crew (2026): 4 out of 5

Who’s from Hawaii? How well do you think your culture was represented? Let me know in the comments below.

Author

Winifred Eze

Winnie is a business student by day and a writer by night, with a passion for movies and the art of storytelling. Whether it’s dissecting a film’s themes, exploring character arcs, or celebrating cinematic masterpieces, she loves diving deep into the magic of the big screen. She also strives to bring fresh perspectives and engaging discussions to fellow writers and readers.