Viola Davis, celebrated for her outstanding performances across a multitude of critically acclaimed projects, finds her latest film facing a challenging reception. G20, an action-packed thriller where Davis portrays the U.S. President, has made its debut to less-than-stellar reviews, earning a 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This new feature made its official premiere on Prime Video, although, at present, there aren’t sufficient audience reviews to establish a Popcornmeter rating.
In G20, Viola Davis embodies President Danielle Sutton, a recently appointed leader making her first appearance at the G20 summit held in South Africa. The narrative unfolds with a team of terrorists strategizing to kidnap global leaders during the summit. Yet, they are met with a formidable challenge in Sutton, whose military background as a decorated war hero disrupts their plans. This gripping premise, despite its potential, has left critics divided.
The film initially gathered its 33% score from 12 critical reviews, with only four offering positive feedback. Critics have highlighted Davis’ exceptional performance as a notable strength, despite their reservations about the film’s plot. Giovanni Lugo of Next Best Picture remarked that G20 is “a bottom-of-the-barrel action flick that is not worthy of the pedigree of Viola Davis.” Meanwhile, Tania Hussain from Collider commented on the movie’s failure to blend “high-stakes escapism with the intensity” essential to political action thrillers.
Some critics, including Tim Grierson from AV Club, praised Davis for her authenticity, noting, “She’s the only real thing in a movie that’s hopelessly phony.” Archi Sengupta from Leisurebyte.com expressed a similar sentiment, describing the film as “a generic, clichéd and forgettable mess” made watchable by Davis’ involvement. The celebrated actress, known for her Oscar-winning role in 2016’s Fences and multiple nominations, stands out as the movie’s undeniable asset.
Despite its limitations, G20 has garnered some positive attention. William Bibbiani from TheWrap stated that while the movie isn’t as “powerful, thrilling, or groundbreaking” as The Woman King, Davis manages to infuse the film with “gravitas and humanity,” delivering an impactful performance with undeniable vigor. Jordan Hoffman from EW acknowledged the movie’s “ridiculous” nature, suggesting that helps enhance its appeal. Sherin Nicole from RIOTUS observed that G20 is “a big, bold, unapologetically fun action-thriller” where relationships and fierce action are prominent, contributing to its entertainment value.
Viola Davis is supported by a talented cast, including Antony Starr from The Boys, Anthony Anderson from Black-ish, Ramon Rodriguez from Will Trent, Clark Gregg from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The White Lotus’ Sabrina Impacciatore. Directed by Patricia Riggen and written by Caitlin Parrish, Erica Weiss, and the Miller brothers, Logan and Noah, G20 offers an exciting ensemble.
Davis recently defended her choice to star in G20 during an interview with The Times, expressing her desire to participate in something more mainstream. She explained, “I don’t think every movie you do has to be considered for an Academy Award. I wanted to do something that families could watch together, something popular.”
As G20 streams on Prime Video, more audience reviews are anticipated, which could potentially affect its current standing among critics. Viola Davis’ involvement in the G20 film, irrespective of mixed reviews, showcases her unwavering commitment to diversifying her roles. The early reactions underscore her exceptional talent, even when tasked with elevating a project that some deem unworthy of her remarkable abilities. What remains to be seen is how the reception may shift with broader audience engagement and whether Davis’ portrayal will continue to captivate viewers.
