Widows

Name: Widows
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Romance, Crime
Released: November 16, 2018
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Alejandro Verdin, Andre Holland, Bailey Rhyse Walters, Brian Tyree Henry, Carrie Coon

2018

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 57 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 277 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	Your Score
6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 277 Ratings

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Widows

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: November 16, 2018 | R

Starring: Alejandro Verdin, Andre Holland, Bailey Rhyse Walters, Brian Tyree Henry, Carrie Coon, Coby Goss, Colin Farrell, Daniel Kaluuya, Elizabeth Debicki, Garret Dillahunt, Jacki Weaver, Jon Bernthal, Liam Neeson, Lukas Haas, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Duvall, Viola Davis

Summary: Widows is the story of four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Viola Davis), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own handsWidows is the story of four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Viola Davis), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.… Expand

Director: Steve McQueen

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Romance, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 129 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

David Sims

Nov 15, 2018

McQueen has made a big, pulpy crowd-pleaser, but he uses it to tell a story with real meaning. Widows is methodical in its imagery and gracefully written; it’s also a suspenseful blast, best seen with the biggest, most animated audience possible. Read full review

100

Kate Stables

Nov 5, 2018

A heist movie with serious bite, Widows is both brilliantly tense and strikingly relevant. Read full review

A.A. Dowd

Sep 13, 2018

If Widows is pulp, it’s pulp made with intelligence and craft and an urgent social conscience. One might even call it a throwback to a richer era of American studio movies, except that the story also feels attuned to a very contemporary anger, aimed at powerful men and the corrupt systems that sanction their abuses. Read full review

The Film Stage Christopher Schobert

Sep 9, 2018

This is precision entertainment, a crackling, pulse-pounding heist movie with a sterling cast, a whip-smart script, and undeniable social resonance, calling to mind heavyweight champs like The French Connection and Heat. It never quite matches those cinema milestones, but make no mistake, Widows is a knockout. Read full review

E. Oliver Whitney

Sep 11, 2018

Though Widows isn’t as exceptional as McQueen’s previous work, his style elevates it well beyond any generic big studio genre film. It’s a first-rate popcorn thriller that dazzles you and gives you something thoughtful and timely to chew on. Read full review

Lindsey Bahr

Nov 13, 2018

McQueen builds tension masterfully throughout, although is so sprawling that at times you’re left wondering whether this might have been better told as a limited television series. Then again, is it worth complaining about relative brevity when done this well? Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Nov 13, 2018

Most of Widows isn’t felt. It’s a cold exercise, and occasionally a ridiculous one, as when McQueen tries to get fancy, with camera angles that make no sense. Read full review

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User Reviews

phatandy

Nov 23, 2018

Finally a movie with two strong black female leads. Viola Davis and Cynthia Erivo are amazing.

5 of 13 users found this helpful58

MattBrady99

Nov 16, 2018

LIFF32 (2018) #2

“May a man live well-enough and long-enough, to leave many joyful widows behind him.” Remember Ocean's 8? Nah, neither do I. ‘Widows’ is an outstanding crime drama from director Steve McQueen. A female driven movie that doesn't glorify itself as such. It's smart andLIFF32 (2018) #2

“May a man live well-enough and long-enough, to leave many joyful widows behind him.”

Remember Ocean's 8? Nah, neither do I.

‘Widows’ is an outstanding crime drama from director Steve McQueen. A female driven movie that doesn't glorify itself as such. It's smart and compelling - emotional roller coaster through out. The themes of corruption, politicians, sexism, race relations, privileges, and greed that mirrors society we know. I was hooked from start till finish.

Steve McQueen took something that could’ve been a generic mainstream heist movie, but made it so refreshing. Just like ‘First Man’, it’s a complete departure from his other work, but isn’t too different where you can’t believe he directed it. Plenty of long shots, especially how he directed a freestyle rap with the camera spinning around a group of characters. I thought that scene was brilliantly done. There’s a scene where Colin Farrell drives to his house after a election promotion, but McQueen mounts the camera on the hood of the car and we only hear Farrell’s conversation while nothing is visible - which is all done in one shot. Rather than cutting back or forward, but McQueen isn’t flat. His directing is bold and makes every shot engaging.

How about the cast? It’s something to die for. Everyone manages to get their time to shine. Viola Davis is excellent as usual and the main center of a crowded cast. I love the little details with her character: Like how she always carries around a white fluffy dog almost like a child. She can express grief and the weight on her shoulders and play it effortlessly. Honestly, she’s one of the greatest actress of this generation.

Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez, and Cynthia Erivo command the screen whenever they are on. Just like Davis, these wife’s have nothing in common, which serves as development in character with different backgrounds. Great to see Rodriguez finally showing dramatic range.

But Daniel Kaluuya scared the sh*t out of me. The intensity in his presence and brutal killings makes him a true threat. Every Time he appears on screen, you know something horrible is going to happen. Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall are so great together, which surprised me to learn that both of they scenes, according to McQueen was completely improvised. Even Liam Neeson, despite the small screen time, but he’s really good and I wish he did more dramatic work than any other ‘Taken’ movie.

The other cast members are also great, but we’ll be here for days when naming them off. I could go on forever.

Han Zimmer’s score is nothing short of haunting. Gloomy with a heavy theme of loneliness. However, it picks up pace when the heist shifts in gear and everything from there is tension after tension. The beats gets higher and eventually becomes untamed.

For issues: There’s not a lot for complains. Although if I have to pick. Since there’s so much going on, it can sometimes interrupt the flow. Other than that, that’s really it.

Overall rating: I really struggled to catch a breath.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

BrianMcCritic

Nov 17, 2018

Widows is a fabulous heist movie with terrific performances. Steve McQueen directs this film with great detail and while there were a couple of moments that had me puzzled but overall there is a lot to appreciate here. Overall a middle 8 an A-.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

jeremyp

Nov 30, 2018

I have to think that the critics went for this one because it's by a famed Black Director. It's basically a not very good heist movie that's overly violent, full of plot holes, and some ludicrous suspend belief plotting. It lacks depth, and the action allows one to forget that, and theI have to think that the critics went for this one because it's by a famed Black Director. It's basically a not very good heist movie that's overly violent, full of plot holes, and some ludicrous suspend belief plotting. It lacks depth, and the action allows one to forget that, and the actual heist takes up less than a couple of minutes. Other than Viola Davis and Debicki the ladies get scant screen time, and they waste the great Carrie Coon, and there is not enough of Erivo, who steals the movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

3ebfan511

Aug 12, 2019

Don't waste your time if you are expecting either a good heist movie, or a unique film with anything new to offer. This film is neither and was quite cliche and boring for much of the 2nd half. I am shocked by some of the critic reviews, probably because the director has a previous OscarDon't waste your time if you are expecting either a good heist movie, or a unique film with anything new to offer. This film is neither and was quite cliche and boring for much of the 2nd half. I am shocked by some of the critic reviews, probably because the director has a previous Oscar win. But his previous films he has said each had a personal meaning, and it seems clear, this one had no meaning. There is no concise point, and no reason for the film to even exist. I learned nothing new, was not moved, was not excited much, did not laugh, as the script is very droll, very boring, and much of the characters actions are cliche, the type of thing you can see in any mediocre action or TV show anytime. The only interesting parts were the first 5 minutes, the last 15 minutes, and a few rare snippets of side characters such as Colin Farrell's. If the whole film was about Collin Farrell's character, it might have made for an interesting drama. Instead it is pretty much a cliched heist attempt at a movie, but told through a female perspective, which then adds nothing new to the genre, is less exciting, and with the poor dialogue and directing..it is not worth wasting time watching unless you enjoy mediocre and cliche average action and TV shows. From Steve McQueen and the level of actors and here, and the "positive" reviews, I expected much, much, more, and was disappointed by the end, and quite frankly bored for much of the last hour. Unfortunately, I would have to officially call this a bomb...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Acacia

Nov 29, 2018

I did not enjoy this movie. First of all, it is soooo long! It takes forever to get anywhere and the violence in it was just too much for me. I do not mind violence if it is directed at the bad guys. Heck, I will jump in and help bring them down! But, this was just too much. I thoughtI did not enjoy this movie. First of all, it is soooo long! It takes forever to get anywhere and the violence in it was just too much for me. I do not mind violence if it is directed at the bad guys. Heck, I will jump in and help bring them down! But, this was just too much. I thought this movie got bogged down in the political machinations and took too much away from the women in the story. There were big holes in the plot that even a few twists a d turns couldn’t save. It just was not good for me. Even a great cast cannot save it.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Andreark

Sep 15, 2019

Langweilig, schlechte Darsteller, träge Handlung, alles sehr in die länge gezogen

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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43	#43 Best Movie of 2018
61	#61 Most Discussed Movie of 2018