Movie Review: Widows

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

Review: With how many heist movies there are out there it seems hard to believe anything fresh and new could be done with the genre, but that is just Widows manages to accomplish.


Unlike many heist movies this is not a pure action movie. Instead it is a character study. This works so well because we believe our main character completely. Much of this is due to Viola Davis' magnificent performance. Every emotion on her face is absolutely genuine. Despite the character trying to put on a tough face, beneath it all you powerfully feel her pain and vulnerability.

Director and co-writer Steve McQueen (as well as Gillian Flynn (the other writer)) does an incredible job mixing exciting action, fascinating character studies and social / political commentary. In the hands of a lesser filmmaker these elements would distract from each other and at least one feels forced. This is not even slightly the case here. This is all pulled off so seemingly effortlessly and naturally that when watching it you don't even realize what a feat the filmmakers accomplished. After the film was over I realized this and was impressed. When watching it I was simply too entertained and interested in the story to realize.

Though this film is far from constant action and much of the time focuses on the characters and the story, the action packed climax offers more than enough for those looking for some fun popcorn action. Nothing about Steve McQueen's previous filmography (12 Years a Slave, Shame, Hunger) would even hint at the idea that he could be a top notch action director. However as we see here he is just as great at this as directing thought provoking social commentary. This climax is nonstop action, but never for a moment gets dull, because it keeps getting bigger and more intense. Some fantastic plot twists don't hurt either. None of this means though that Steve McQueen has given up on his social commentary. The commentary here is very smart, complex and thought provoking as it never gives any easy answers or directly preaches to the audience. What McQueen has done instead is to seemingly effortlessly mix this in with a style of movie that will appeal to a more mainstream audience. He amazingly managed to do this without once sacrificing or comprising his social conscience.

-Michael J. Ruhland