Warning: Spoilers for The Union below!
Summary
Netflix’s spy rom-comThe Unionmakes the same odd choice regarding kissing between its leads that another 2024 blockbuster did. There is no shortage ofMark Wahlberg action movies, but his new Netflix romp is still a change of pace. It has the expected shootouts and car chases, but it’s also Wahlberg’s first real spy adventure.The Unionalso castHalle Berry as the co-lead, with Berry’s Roxanne being the top agent in the titular spy group who recruits her ex-boyfriend for a dangerous mission.
As much as the film has the trappings of a spy thriller, it’s a frothy rom-com at its core. The focus is very much on Berry’s Roxanne and Wahlberg’s Mike falling back in love as he trains for the operation, and the movie leanshardon their chemistry.The Union’sendingmakes it clear Netflix is leaving the door open for a sequel, while Mike and Roxanne officially decide to give their romance another try. Assuming a follow-up happens, this would be an interesting element for a sequel to explore.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Pfeiffer
That Mike and Roxanne end up together again is no surprise, butThe Unionpulls a shocker by not letting them kissin the final scene. There are moments when they are both leaning in and dangerously close to smooching, but they never quite connect. This is especially vexing in the finale, where it’s clear they want each other - just apparently not enough to kiss in public.The Union’snon-kiss comes off the back of theTwistersmini-controversy, which also failed to pay off the tension between Glen Powell’s Tyler and Daisy Edgar-Jones' Katewith a smooch.
In the latter movie’s case a kiss between their characterswasfilmed, but at the suggestion of Steven Spielberg and a lukewarm test audience reaction, it was cut.In bothThe UnionandTwisters, it felt like the filmmakers were building up the romantic tension to the point where a kiss was the only logical wayto go. Of course, neither is ruined fornotfeaturing one, but it still feels like a strange choice.
The Union’slack of a kiss between its leads may become a talking point, though it may have also come down to Wahlberg’s dislike of filming romantic scenes. The actor is very committed to wife Rhea Durham and told WENN in 2011 (viaContactmusic.com), and he tries to avoid romantic scenes in his work whenever possible.
If it has anything to do with me kissing somebody my wife’s not gonna like it so I’ll fight to get it cut out. Those are the more important issues. I usually attempt to choose my battles wisely.
The Union & Twisters Carry On A Recent Big Screen Move Away From Romance
Big budget movies have gotten considerably less steamy in recent years
The UnionandTwistersboth represent the opposite problem since both films work hard to sell their central romances that the absence of a kiss will likely frustrate viewers.
There used to be a time when it was a given mainstream movies would feature a romantic subplot, and that its leads would end up together. In hindsight, many of these films didn’t really need these elements to work and they often feel forced.The UnionandTwistersboth represent the opposite problem, since both work so hard to sell their romances that the absence of a kiss will likely frustrate viewers.
Twistersdirector Lee Isaac Chung also felt the kiss didn’t work and approved of it being snipped.
This is certainly true of the backlash that facedTwistersabout its deleted kiss, but it underlines how sexless blockbusters have becomein recent times. Most of the MCU or DCU entires lack romance or sexuality of any nature. Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson had great chemistry in theirMission: Impossibleoutings, but the series refused to push the Ethan/Ilsa romance any further than a friendship. Even a franchise likeJurassic Worldhas a prominent couple in Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), though they still seem more like roommates than lovers.
Hollywood’s step away from romance is in response to younger viewers being less interested in seeing sex or romantic relationships onscreen(viaUCLA). Instead, they gravitate towards movies or shows that focus more on friendships, and not those that force a love story for the sake of having one. That’s not to say there isn’t room for a rom-com or drama (such asAnyone but Youor Netflix’sOne Day), but the romance needs to be justified by the plot.
Other Big 2024 Movies Are Pushing Back Against This No Kissing Trend
Glen Powell still managed to get some smooches in 2024
Unfortunate asThe Union’slack of a kiss might be, there are encouraging signs the shift away from romance is slowly moving back the other way. Glen Powell’s Netflix comedyHit Manwas a spicy affair, as was the Zendaya vehicleChallengers. The aforementionedOne Dayis another great example, but the fact it also focused on the complexities of its central love story is what made it such a hit.
I’m Glad Twisters Cut Kate & Tyler’s Kiss After Steven Spielberg’s Note
Twisters almost had an overtly romantic moment, and I’m so glad that Steven Spielberg convinced them to cut the scene from the final film.
If anything good comes from theTwisters' outcry, it’s that maybe audiences are ready for their blockbusters to add a little romance again. It’s an overdue course correction, but it will be interesting to see how it develops. If aUnionsequel does happen, it may also have a harder time explaining away the lack of a kiss next time too.
The Union
Cast
The Union is an upcoming film that explores the intersecting lives of multiple characters as they navigate complex relationships, personal struggles, and social issues.
