Review: Widows

​An action-heist film infused with political undertones and social commentary. Director Steve Rodney McQueen’s Widows is a stellar popcorn movie with a message. 

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2018’s Widows is smart, sophisticated, and fiercely led by an empowering Viola Davis. Topped with stunning camerawork, an engaging storyline, and a dash of originality; Widows is one of the best films from 2018. Director Steve McQueen continues to show off his impressive film resume (Hunger, Shame, and 12 Years a Slave). Leave it to McQueen to infuse a popcorn thriller with social and political commentary. McQueen continues to showcase his directing chops, proving that he can master any genre. Widows is a smart heist film with a message, as our movie layers in a juicy narrative stuffed with character analysis. This crime drama delivers the goods and packs a punch one scene after another. Topped with an all-star cast, consisting of Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Garret Dillahunt, Carrie Coon, Robert Duvall, and Liam Neeson; Widows is one of the best films to hit the theaters in 2018.
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​Widows is co-written by bestselling author Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl and Sharp Objects), as she explores the storyline involving four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, these leading ladies decide to take fate into their own hands, conspiring to forge a better future for themselves. Davis’ strong and venomous acting will knock the wind out of you. While Kaluuya is a complete knockout as the sly Chicago henchman. On top of that, Rodriguez, Debicki, and Erivo are killer in their top-notched supporting roles. There are tons of twists and turns along the way, so I won’t spoil them for you. The film juggles multiple narratives that grapple with each character’s right or wrong decision. Everything from the minor details hidden within the film is carefully constructed. There’s a scene where McQueen deals with police brutality and spread along the back frame are Barack Obama “Hope” posters.

​As our scene unfolds with a young African-American man being pulled over on the side of the road, I couldn’t help but notice Obama’s solemn face looking from a distance onto the young man as he is being shot by the two police officers. There’s also another fascinating scene where we see Colin Farrell’s character get into a car and drive off. The camera stays outside the vehicle, letting us observe the neighborhood they are driving through. At the start, the neighborhood is poor and decaying, yet when Farrell’s character reaches his destination a couple of blocks away, the neighborhood is a complete 180°. Farrell’s house is rich, blissful, and privileged​. Here, McQueen is representing the different levels of social classes and the hardships and injustices that come attached with them for the minority communities. This is where Widows stands tall compared to other action-heist films. McQueen’s powerhouse film-masquerade is bold storytelling, full of cinematic escapism and originality. Like a sledgehammer, Widows dips into themes of class, religion, gender, race, and injustice. With Widows, you’re in for a wild ride. Buckle up.  

Widows is rated R (Restricted). For violence, language throughout, and some sexual content/nudity.