REVIEW: Widows is More Than Just Your Typical Heist Thriller

Director Steve McQueen has created much more than a heist thriller with his new film, Widows. Based on a 1983 ITV series, the story follows a group of women who conduct their own heist to pay off the debts of their husbands after their husbands are killed on a previous job. The heist mainly takes a backseat but the conspiracy surrounding the heist and the players involved will keep audiences more than entertained.

This is the story of three women and the repercussions they deal with because of their husbands’ choices. The film could have taken the route of focusing on Liam Neeson and his band of men or attempt to be a grittier Ocean’s 8 film. Instead these remarkable women take center stage, making tough choices to survive.

McQueen does a nice job telling the story from the wives, mainly Veronica’s (Viola Davis), point of view while intertwining the story with the political aspect. McQueen made sure to propel the story rather than add in unnecessary parts that would take away from it

Davis leads the cast as Veronica and her performance is both intense and powerful. She is fantastic in this role and proves, once again, why she is one of my favorite actresses to watch on screen. Michelle Rodriguez (Linda) and Elizabeth Debicki (Alice) are good, but are outshined by Davis. This isn’t a critique of Rodriguez and Debicki, who are solid actors, instead it’s more an indicator of how incredibly talented Davis is. Colin Farrell (Jack Mulligan), Brian Tyree Henry (Jamal Manning) and Daniel Kaluuya (Jatemme Manning) bring to life the political side of the story and are nice additions.

For those wanting to see a movie this weekend that is dramatic, intense and pulse pounding I highly recommend Widows. If you would rather wait until it comes out on On Demand or DVD that is fine too, but make sure to rent it once it is released.

Grace: B+