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Synopsis
Genre: Drama, Social Commentary
Director: Kelly Reichardt
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges, Toby Jones
Runtime: 115 minutes
Plot Synopsis:
Set in a working-class town in the American Midwest, A Working Man (2025) is a poignant drama that explores the emotional and societal impact of industrial decline, personal identity, and the complex relationship between labor and self-worth. The film follows Frank Ward (Joaquin Phoenix), a factory worker whose entire sense of self is tied to his work, and the ripple effects when his plant shuts down, forcing him to confront a world in which he no longer feels needed.
Act 1:
The film opens with Frank Ward, a rugged and stoic middle-aged factory worker, arriving at Jackson Steelworks, a manufacturing plant where he has worked for over 25 years. Frank’s life revolves around the daily grind—working overtime, socializing with his colleagues, and adhering to a rigid routine that gives him a sense of purpose. The plant is a symbol of stability for Frank and his family, a generational job that was passed down to him by his father. Frank’s relationship with his wife, Mary Ward (Michelle Williams), is strained, as the emotional distance between them grows over the years. Though Frank is a loving husband and father, his identity is tied to his work, and he is unable to express himself emotionally beyond his labor.
Suddenly, the workers are informed that Jackson Steelworks is closing its doors due to outsourcing, technological automation, and the decline of American manufacturing. The announcement sends shockwaves through the community, throwing Frank and his coworkers into uncertainty. While some of the workers consider moving to find new jobs, others are stuck, unable to imagine a life outside the factory.
Frank’s shock is followed by a deep, existential crisis. He is a man whose worth has always been defined by his ability to work with his hands. Now, with no place to go, Frank feels adrift. Mary, who works part-time at a local diner, encourages Frank to take some time to reflect and explore new possibilities, but he resists. The idea of being a “man without work” fills him with dread, as he feels that the closure of the plant has erased his purpose and value.
Act 2:
Frank begins to experience what many of the factory workers are going through: feelings of betrayal and a profound loss of identity. As the days go by, he can’t bring himself to leave the factory, even though it’s technically shut down. In a quiet, understated act of rebellion, Frank sneaks back into the plant at night, trying to salvage parts of old machinery and tools he once worked with. His actions are symbolic, representing his struggle to hold onto a past that is quickly disappearing.
Meanwhile, Frank’s son Kyle (Lucas Hedges), a college student, tries to encourage him to embrace change. Kyle represents the next generation, one that sees new opportunities in the shifting world, but Frank’s stubbornness and pride cause friction between them. Frank’s inability to understand his son’s aspirations—like working remotely in a tech startup or moving to a city for better opportunities—drives a wedge between them. Frank feels alienated by Kyle’s modern worldview, which doesn’t require the same kind of physical labor or sacrifice that Frank’s generation endured.
As Frank spends more time at the abandoned factory, he forms an unlikely bond with Walt (Toby Jones), a former coworker who is also struggling to adjust. Walt, an elderly man who has worked at the factory for over 40 years, represents the older generation of workers who are lost in a world that no longer needs their labor. Together, Frank and Walt scavenge the plant’s remains, reliving old memories of when the factory was the lifeblood of the town.
At the same time, Frank starts to take small, tentative steps toward rebuilding his relationship with Mary. Though the emotional distance between them remains, they begin to open up about their fears and frustrations. Mary tells Frank she has always wanted to move away from the factory town, to find a life outside the confines of their small world. She has always supported Frank, but now she feels like she is sacrificing too much of her own dreams. Frank is left to grapple with the realization that Mary may not want to stay tied to the same life he’s been living, even after the factory’s closure.
Act 3:
Frank’s internal battle culminates when he is given the chance to join a protest organized by the remaining workers, demanding compensation and a rethinking of the town’s economic future. Initially reluctant to take part in something so politically charged, Frank eventually decides to attend. As he stands among his former coworkers, Frank feels a powerful sense of solidarity with the people he has known for decades. But as the protest grows more heated, Frank realizes that the fight for the factory and the life it represented may not be as important as his need to rediscover himself in a world that is rapidly changing.
In the final act, Frank makes a bold choice: instead of clinging to the past, he begins to embrace the possibility of reinvention. He decides to start a small carpentry business, using the skills he learned in the factory to create handcrafted furniture and items for the community. It’s a modest start, but Frank slowly gains the confidence to reimagine his role in the world. In a quiet moment, he tells Mary about his decision, acknowledging that he may not be able to provide in the same way he once did, but he can still offer something valuable.
Frank’s journey doesn’t provide a perfect, happy ending. There’s no immediate financial windfall, and the emotional scars from the factory’s closure remain. However, A Working Man ends on a note of hope—a recognition that the human capacity for resilience and adaptation is powerful, and that even when society changes and the world moves on, personal reinvention is still possible.
Themes:
Identity and Purpose: The film explores the concept of identity through labor, emphasizing how a person’s work can become deeply intertwined with their sense of self-worth. Frank’s struggle is a reflection of many people in industries that have been left behind by automation and globalization.
Generational Divide: A Working Man examines the tensions between generations—between Frank, who is clinging to an old way of life, and his son, who sees the future in terms of technology, adaptability, and shifting social values.
Loss and Resilience: The loss of a factory, the dissolution of a community, and the erosion of a way of life are central to the film’s exploration of personal and collective grief. At the same time, the film focuses on resilience—the human capacity to start over and find new ways of meaning.
The Changing Landscape of Labor: The film offers a poignant commentary on the decline of traditional labor and the effects of globalization, automation, and outsourcing on working-class families and communities.
Tone and Style:
The film’s tone is somber and reflective, with a focus on subtle, character-driven moments. The cinematography, shot in muted colors and natural lighting, underscores the bleakness of Frank’s world but also the small moments of warmth that break through. There is a quiet beauty in the film’s pacing, allowing the audience to feel the weight of Frank’s internal struggle and his tentative steps toward change. Director Kelly Reichardt’s minimalist style helps draw out the emotional depth of the story, grounding it in the lived experience of its characters.
The musical score, sparse and melancholic, further complements the film’s introspective nature, creating a sense of longing and nostalgia for a time that has passed.
In conclusion, A Working Man (2025) is a deeply emotional and nuanced exploration of a working-class man’s struggle with identity, loss, and the changing dynamics of labor in a modern world. The film offers a resonant portrayal of resilience, personal reinvention, and the unspoken value of everyday work, making it a powerful commentary on the experiences of countless individuals facing the challenges of an evolving economy.
Original title A Working Man
Director
Director
Cast
Levon Cade
Jenny
Artemis
Dimi Kolisnyk
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