Don’t we all love a nepo baby in a historical film fighting for what’s theirs? Welcome to our review of Gladiator II, a sequel most viewers of the original film didn’t ask for, but one that Oscar-nominated, legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott serves hot on a plate, featuring some of the most gorgeous faces on screen.
There’s no denying that the anticipation for Gladiator II was palpable when Ridley Scott announced his plans to revisit the world of Gladiator nearly a quarter-century after the 2000 cult classic. But the real question was, will this sequel stand on the Colosseum and recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle brilliance of the first one? Could it even meet the expectations of fans still revisiting Russell Crowe’s Oscar-winning performance as Maximus, the quintessential warrior?
The first Gladiator will always feel like a complete and self-contained story, and many would argue that it doesn’t need a sequel. The film’s ending ties up Maximus’ journey beautifully—his arc of revenge, redemption, and his quest for justice is fully realised.
As I sat through this 2-hour 28-minute film, it slowly became clear that while the sequel offers moments of brilliance and undeniable entertainment, it struggles to live up to its predecessor’s legacy.
The Storyline
Gladiator II is set 15 years after the death of the great Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The opening credit sequence gives us a little sneak peek of the first part. The film introduces us to Hanno, played by the statuesque Paul Mescal, a farmer living in Numidia with his wife, Arishat (played by Yuval Gonen). But their peace is short-lived as a Roman army, led by the stoic General Marcus Acacius, played by none other than the internet and my favourite Pedro Pascal, who lays siege to Hanno’s village.
During the battle, Acacius orders his soldiers to kill Arishat and enslave everyone, including Hanno, throwing him on a path of vengeance and survival which parallels Maximus’ life in the first film. As Hanno starts his climbing gladiatorial rank ladder, his terrific skills catch the eye of Macrinus (played by Denzel Washington), a snarky and cunning gladiator owner who sees potential in this strong Numidian soldier.
However, Gladiator II takes a little predictable twist when Hanno’s true identity is revealed. He is not a mere farmer; he is Lucius, the son of Maximus and Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen). You get to catch a flashback of Lucilla having sent him to Numidia for his safety following the finale of the first film.
While the revelation of Lucius’s true identity is intriguing, it raises more questions than it answers, especially given the central role Maximus’ quest for vengeance played in the original film. The storyline becomes a bit weird to describe as Lucius grapples with his emotions—revenge against Acacius, his loyalty to Rome, and the burden of his father’s legacy.
Performances: Washington Shines, Mescal Tries
Before the movie’s announcement, if someone had told me Paul Mescal would go from Normal People to this, I would have laughed and rolled my eyes (in a good way). Because in my eyes, Mescal was always that sweet creature who would make me bawl my eyes out. So him coming from that to this was itself a big deal.
The star took it with commitment, delivering a promising performance marked by physical intensity and raw emotion. However, his portrayal lacks the commanding presence and emotional depth that made Russell Crowe’s Maximus so compelling, but it reminds you both characters can be different. You will notice his character’s motivations being too inconsistent, struggling between rage and sorrow without a clear emotional arc. But this is not something to blame on Pascal as it seems more a fault of the screenplay and story than his acting ability.
Pedro Pascal who plays General Acacius, delivers a decent performance. He comes out as just another complex figure in this storyline, who is initially introduced as the antagonist leading the wars. But as the story starts unfolding more, we see shades of remorse in Acacius, meddled by the current Roman Empire and secretly plotting to overthrow its rulers. While Pascal brings his signature charm to the role, I couldn’t help but feel his character was ultimately underutilised.
The actor who stole the show in Gladiator II has to be Denzel Washington, who played Macrinus, the sly Gladiator owner who dreams of power and hold over Colosseum. The actor has great command over every scene, he has a blend of charm, menace, and theatricality. He delivers a Shakespearean monologue while plotting murders behind the scenes. Out of everyone in the film, his character is the most well-written in the film, allowing Washington to flex his dramatic and comedic muscles to full effect. PS. You would never catch me this happy over a character’s death, as I was during Macrinus’.
Lastly, let’s talk about the two ginger-headed psycho twin emperors, Geta (played by Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (played by Fred Hechinger), who added a layer of darkness and absurdity to the story. Their chaotic rules and bloodthirsty antics would surely remind you of the original film.
Action and Spectacle
Scott’s ability to craft breathtaking action sequences that will make you choke on your popcorn is on full display in Gladiator II. The gladiatorial battles are brutal, visceral, and meticulously choreographed, rivalling the intensity of the original film. My standout moment has to be the flooded Colosseum, where gladiators battle amid thrashing waters and some unexpected predators: bloody sharks. (Don’t ask me if this is historically accurate)
However, the film seems to fall flat in its quieter moments. The production design is super impressive in certain scenes. The main motive of Gladiator II is to grapple with themes of identity, legacy, and the cyclical nature of vengeance. These few ideas are compelling in theory but not exactly done in execution. The film’s attempt to mirror the structure of the original—right down to its protagonist’s journey—feels less like an homage and more like a retread.
Final Verdict: You Will Be Entertained
Gladiator II is a film of contrasts: moments of brilliance juxtaposed with some stretches of mediocrity, and captivating performances weighed down by a predictable script. But somehow it delivers an entertaining time thanks to Denzel Washington’s electrifying performance as Macrinus, Paul Mescals’s insane face card, and the thrilling arena battles.
Also, read: From Softboi To Gladiator: Is Paul Mescal The Ultimate Internet Boyfriend?
