On Friday, Nov. 22, when the highly anticipated sequel “Gladiator II” hits theaters across the country, viewers will undoubtedly walk away with two sentiments: this film is both Denzel Washington’s and 2024's best film.
Starring Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn, the forthcoming film is chock full of stars who are definitely bringing their A-game. But it’s the veteran actor and 2024 Root 100 honoree who absolutely steals the show unlike anything we’ve ever seen him do before. In it Washington stars as Macrinus, a former enslaved man turned arms dealer and mentor to gladiators, whose sights are set on gaining control of the Roman empire for himself by any means necessary.
Without spoiling things too much, the role Washington’s Macrinus plays in this film and the lengths he’s willing to go to have Rome (and all those who live there, friend or foe) under his thumb is something we haven’t seen onscreen from him before and yet and somehow a mix of all his best roles rolled up all in one at the same time.
It’s also a role we don’t see afforded to too many Black actors in a period film, one where both their cleverness and quest for dominance gets to take centerstage—though it’s something “mainstream” (read: white) actors can’t say as we’ve them portray that in countless roles. So to finally see a Black man in a powerful role who’s hellbent on having his way during a time period where others who looked like him were disempowered just makes Washington’s portrayal that much more satisfying.
“He’s a product of his environment and he’s more than willing to take advantage of it. And he gets to a place where he’s willing to do anything to dominate,” Washington told The Root of his character in an interview ahead of the film’s release. But even that descriptor is putting it lightly.
He’s deliciously bad, impressively cunning, falsely trustworthy, comical, and likeable—so much so that you forget he’s supposed to be the villain in the first place. Adorned in silk fabrics and drapery, a copious amount of gold jewelry, and an accent that’s more akin to “Training Day” than ancient Rome, Washington storms onto the film with a subtle yet powerful presence that becomes more delightfully inundating and evil with each and every scene. And that presence is something that both viewers and his cast mates picked up on even while filming.
“Denzel suffers no fool, so you’d better be on your best case when you’re working with him. Trust me,” acclaimed director Ridley Scott told us with Mescal later adding: “He smells fear.”
And it’s that sense of fear that should be overstated when you watch Washington in this film. At no point should you forget that he’s a power hungry, conniving, yet completely swaggy shyster who’s willing to throw anyone under the bus to get what he’s after. With that in mind, it’s natural to assume that there will be comparisons of his character in this film to a few of the ones from his past like the aforementioned “Training Day” and “American Gangster.” But it should be noted that Washington’s Macrinus and the way he’s portrayed stands completely on its own and adds the necessary flair, charisma, heightened stakes (and potential Oscar buzz) to this long-awaited film. His portrayal is also a good reminder of why Washington remains regarded as a legend in Hollywood as his mannerisms, monologues and acting choices in this movie are unfortunately running laps around his costars in a way that’s completely unfair.
With Washington in tow, “Gladiator II” winds up being a worthy follow-up to its beloved, iconic and Oscar-winning 2000s predecessor—even if some of the CGI and scenes feel a bit to far-fetched to be true (sharks in the colosseum, monkeys gone mad, revved up rhinos—who knew ancient Rome got down like that?!) That aside, there were plenty of callbacks to the original film and enough bloody, visceral fight scenes that would bring a welcomed sense of familiarity for fans of the first film. But by not weighing down the new iteration with too much lore from the first and adding in some hefty star power, it gives this film enough room to soar on its own merits and tell a new story that’s already proving to be a winner with viewers.
To be fair though: a hunky Mescal, a convincing Pascal, a truly chaotic and unhinged Hechinger and Quinn and a demure yet striking Nielsen (who reprises her role from the first film)—all do well as costars. But when you walk away from the theater, you just might feel conflicted at the realization that you may have been subconsciously rooting for Washington’s villain the whole time. And even if you don’t, you’ll definitely understand why “Gladiator II” is the very definition a true epic. From start to finish, this spectacle of a film proves to be a nonstop ride full of action, vengeance, power and excitement making it a banging addition (and serious contender) for awards season consideration for Washington and ultimately—the best film of 2024.
“Gladiator II” is in theaters everywhere Nov. 22.