In the pantheon of action cinema, few names carry the weight of Jason Statham—a relentless force whose steely gaze and precise punches have defined the genre for over two decades. But in David Ayer’s thriller A Working Man, released in theaters on March 28, 2025, a new star emerges to take the spotlight: Arianna Rivas. In a revealing feature from Variety, Rivas opens up about her transformative experience filming a pivotal fight scene alongside Statham, offering a glimpse into a moment that’s as much about emotional resonance as it is about physical intensity.
A Working Man casts Statham as Levon Cade, a former Royal Marine now eking out a quiet life as a construction worker. That tranquility shatters when his boss’s teenage daughter, Jenny Garcia (Rivas), is snatched by human traffickers. What follows is a descent into a gritty underworld, with Levon unleashing his dormant skills to rescue Jenny. But this isn’t your typical damsel-in-distress tale. The film’s climax sees Jenny stepping out of the victim’s shadow, joining Levon in a bruising, hand-to-hand brawl that redefines her role in the narrative—and in the action genre itself.
Co-written by Sylvester Stallone and Ayer, the screenplay bears the hallmarks of both: Stallone’s knack for underdog heroism and Ayer’s signature blend of raw realism and emotional stakes. For Rivas, Stallone’s involvement was a personal beacon. “I saw the words ‘Sylvester Stallone’ in an email, and I’ve always loved his story about selling the ‘Rocky’ script,” she told Variety. “Whenever I’m in doubt, I’m like, ‘Sylvester Stallone did it, so I can do it.’ When I saw his name, I thought, ‘Okay, this is a sign.’ It was absolutely a dream come true.”
Stepping into the ring with Statham is no small feat, and Rivas didn’t take it lightly. She dedicated four months to training, mastering choreography and building the stamina needed for the film’s demanding action sequences. Stunt coordinator Eddie J. Fernandez, who also appears in a supporting role, was effusive in his praise. “She was more than up to the task,” he said. “By the middle of the film, she and Jason were hugging and high-fiving each other like, ‘Hey, good job!’ It was a good combo.”
The fight scene itself is a standout—a chaotic, visceral clash that showcases Rivas’s grit and Statham’s mentorship. “Just watching him throw a punch was instructive,” Rivas explained. “How does he make it look strong without hurting a stunt double? All those small technical aspects—where does the weight come from? It was fascinating. I was kind of nerding out, taking notes wherever I could.” That diligence paid off. What began as a rescue mission evolves into a partnership, with Jenny’s defiance and newfound strength amplifying the scene’s emotional heft.
David Ayer, the maestro behind Training Day and Fury, brings his gritty lens to A Working Man, crafting action that feels both authentic and lived-in. Fresh off his collaboration with Statham in The Beekeeper, Ayer doubles down on the working-class hero archetype, with Levon embodying quiet competence. Yet it’s Rivas’s Jenny who injects a fresh twist, subverting the trope of the passive captive. Originally, the film’s ending took a different shape, but production hurdles prompted a rewrite that elevated Jenny’s role—a change Rivas embraced with fervor.
“I felt powerful, I felt strong, I felt radiant,” she said, recalling the moment she locked eyes with Statham during the scene. “It was like, ‘Not only did you have my back, I got your back.’ I felt like I was truly stepping into something I’ve always dreamed of portraying.” That chemistry crackles on screen, bolstered by Statham’s understated guidance. “He’s so cool, but he can be kind of intimidating sometimes,” Rivas admitted. “But I’m an actress, I know how to perform. By the end, we were like old friends.”
Early buzz for A Working Man has been promising, with critics lauding its action and the interplay between its leads. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a “fresh” 67% rating, with Statham’s dependable charisma and Rivas’s breakout turn earning particular acclaim. While some reviews note the plot’s familiarity, Jenny’s journey—and that electrifying fight scene—lifts the film above the fray.
For Rivas, this is more than a debut; it’s a declaration. Mentored by Statham, shaped by Ayer’s vision, and inspired by Stallone’s legacy, she’s poised to carve her own niche in action cinema. As A Working Man readies for its release, one thing is clear: Arianna Rivas isn’t just holding her own—she’s rewriting the rules of the game. This is her moment, and it’s only the beginning.
