Discover Jason Statham's Hidden Gem: 2013 Film Now Streaming Free

Novelist Donald E. Westlake’s master thief character Parker has been the basis for many classic heist thrillers for decades. Having used Parker in his books under his pen name Richard Stark, variants of the character have been depicted in such classics as Point Blank with Lee Marvin and Mel Gibson in Payback. Even Mark Wahlberg is set to give his take on the thief in Shane Black’s Play Dirty for Amazon Studios. However, the 2013 Parker film starring Jason Statham offered something completely different for the British-born action star.

For die-hard fans of Statham who like the mix of grounded action and intricate storytelling, Taylor Hackford’s Parker delivers on both. Maintaining the pulp vibe of Westlake’s novels, Parker is treated as a throwback to the revenge thriller elements of Point Blank mixed with the tongue-in-cheek humor of the heist movie Bank Shot with Statham in the title role seeking revenge against his ex-partners following a job gone wrong. Adding levity to the otherwise grim premise is the inclusion of Jennifer Lopez bringing the humor and heart while not falling into the trap of a clichéd romance subplot.

What Is Jason Statham's 'Parker' About?

Inspired by the Westlake-as-Stark 2000 novel Flashfire, the film opens with the master thief leading a big score at the Ohio State Fair. Though successful, an accidental discharge of explosives leads to a civilian death that goes completely against Parker’s moral code. The conflict with his crew, led by Melander (Michael Chiklis), causes them to turn on Parker and leave him for dead on the roadside. Parker eventually recovers and gets a tip from his longtime mentor Hurley (Nick Nolte) about Melander and the crew’s relocation to Palm Beach, Florida.

Taking on the disguise of a wealthy oil baron sporting a Matthew McConaughey-like Southern accent, Parker receives help from struggling realtor Leslie Rogers (Lopez), who does not know she is being used to help track down the house Melander’s crew is operating out of. Her attraction to Parker turns suspicious upon a background check which she confronts him about. Soon, Leslie is roped into Parker’s plans to stop Melander’s crew from pulling off a high-stakes jewel heist at a local auction.

Hackford, best known for dramatic classics such as An Officer and a Gentleman and Ray, is by no means an action filmmaker. Though he dabbled pretty close to the genre with Proof of Life starring Russell Crowe, Hackord’s films always put the story first, often depicting men in difficult circumstances seeking some level of redemption. Hackford allows Statham’s Parker to share common traits from the Westlake novels, including his multiple disguises and his code of ethics when dealing with innocent bystanders in his various heists. This is set up during the Ohio State Fair opening sequence when Parker, disguised as a priest, tries to calm down a captive security guard having a panic attack. Right from that very start, Statham’s Parker does not share the cold-hearted nature of most actors who have played the role previously. Hackford’s direction softens the character just enough to make his motivations more personal than a selfish quest for stolen money.

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Jason Statham's 'Parker' Is His Most Human Action Role

Jason Statham's Parker in a Red Sox hat in Parker

Unlike past adaptations, Parker has a unique mix of intensely violent action sequences expected from a Statham movie, as well as soft tongue-in-cheek humor. Some of that softness comes through in Parker’s interactions with real estate agent Leslie, with many of Lopez’s scenes appearing lifted from her romantic comedies as she shares a sensual flirtation with the thief. Statham and Lopez’s unique, but unrequited romantic tension comes out during a scene when Parker demands Leslie to strip for him to prove she’s not wired up. Despite the comedic awkwardness of this, the real humor comes from Statham playing the scene dead straight as a throwback to classic film noir.

Even with all the intricate plotting of Parker’s plans and the emotional stakes involved, the film still retains the kind of brutal, street-level action that Statham fans seek out. Yet unlike the near-superhuman characters he played in The Transporter and The Beekeeper, Statham’s Parker breaks a sweat through the violence and does more straight-up brawling like he did in Killer Elite than choreographed martial arts. The film’s biggest highlight is a vicious hotel room brawl where the pain of Parker battling a knife-wielding hitman in tight spaces can be felt through Statham taking one of the worst beatings in film history. Even when you think it’s over, the sequence switches up to a terrifying battle on the hotel ledge with the hero holding on for dear life with a wounded hand. Statham’s Parker not only bleeds just as much as John McClane inDie Hard, but he also experiences extensive physical injuries that make him more human than most of his other action hero roles.

Parker finds its fun through Statham doing what he does best and Lopez leaning on both her charm and comedic timing to make for an intense heist movie that retains an emotional core. Aided by some standout supporting roles from Nolte, Chiklis, and the legendary Patti LuPone adding additional comedy relief as Lopez’s mother, it's an entertaining thrill-ride that offers more than just non-stop action.

Amal Clooney Wore Optical Illusion Jeans Cosigned by Jennifer Lopez—Fall-Ready Styles Start at $44

My list of must-try jean trends for 2026 is growing; it currently includes all the silhouettes one denim expert revealed to me as the must-watch of the year (save for baggy jeans, because I’ve been wearing those for years). That said, one style that didn’t land on said aforementioned list, but is clearly due for big, big things this year, is flare jeans. With a growing list of celebrity fans that includes Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Cindy Crawford, Kendrick Lamar (you know that moment), and, of course, Amal Clooney, there’s no denying the retro denim style that was popular in the early aughts is back—and bigger than ever.

The fact that Clooney wore flared jeans is noteworthy in and of itself. The human rights lawyer is known for her refined dressing approach, regularly opting for billowy trousers, trendy boho blouses, and comfy sweater dresses—all staples that read elegant and timeless. So, when I spotted her earlier this year in the laid-back blues while out to dinner with hubby George Clooney, I knew I had to write about it. Of course, the fact that she wore flare jeans, the style countless celebs have worn the last few weeks, is noteworthy, too, as it further cements the style’s ‘It’ status for 2026. 

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Clooney opted for a pair of medium-wash jeans with subtle fading (another Y2K reference, IMO). Her blues had an ultra-high waist—so high, in fact, that they appeared to hit at the ribcage. It’s the complete opposite of the controversial low-rise denim, so it’s a possible sign that the high-high waist is coming back, too. Not to mention, Clooney’s jeans had a slightly oversized fit from the thighs to the ankles, but it’s that flared hem that has all my attention; it’s taking me back to my middle school days when I’d wear my True Religion flares every single day. (No joke.)

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It’s undeniable that Clooney’s jeans have that nostalgic flair (ahem, flare, wink, wink), but it’s also undeniable that celebs are clamoring to the style because it’s incredibly flattering. The blues basically act like an optical illusion, making legs look super long, especially when paired with a style that has an extra-long hemline and sky-high platforms á la Lopez; the singer is 5-feet-5-inches, but don’t you agree with me that she looks way taller in these jeans? Yeah, that’s thanks to the flares. The flare hem and longer inseams help create the look of legs for days, but add in a high-waisted cut, platform heels, and a crop top, and you’ll fool people into thinking you’re inches taller. 

Leg-elongating factor aside, there’s no denying that flares are fun and nostalgia-inducing—and that’s exactly what I need right now. So, shop some more fun, funky flares from Frame, NYDJ, and Mavi below.

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Gap High Rise ‘70s Flare Jeans

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