Directed by Patricia Riggen (Miracles from Heaven) and written by Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss (The View from Tall) and Noah Miller & Logan Miller (White Boy Rick), G20 follows U.S. President Danielle Sutton (Viola Davis) as she tries to prevent a terrorist attack during a G20 summit. When a group of mercenaries takes world leaders hostage, the President calls on her military experience to save the day. At first glance, the premise seems to promise tension and action with high levels of entertainment…
Yet, G20 quickly reveals itself as a failed attempt to imitate 80s classics like Die Hard, without the necessary competence to execute the well-established formulas. The narrative fails miserably at immersing the audience in a situation that should be immediately engaging. The antagonists, led by former soldier Rutledge (Antony Starr), are superficially motivated by an insatiable thirst for money, trying to justify their actions with a speech about “global justice.” At their core, however, they’re mere caricatures with no depth. The narrative structure is disorganized, with a series of twists and revelations that have no impact, culminating in an extremely over-the-top third act that breaks all narrative logic.
When a film starts rolling credits before resolving its main conflict, any important message gets lost in the rush to finish a movie whose purpose seems to be a mystery. Thematically, G20 attempts to address serious issues such as world hunger, global inequality, and digital manipulation, but does so in a shockingly irresponsible, incoherent manner. The “Together Plan,” which supposedly aims to end hunger in Africa, is introduced so abruptly that I can’t even describe such a fantastic solution due to its lack of focus and development.
Riggen also touches on the rise of a Black woman to the U.S. presidency, but instead of celebrating this achievement with merit and substance, G20 turns it into a propaganda campaign built on a manipulated truth. The message of empowerment and justice becomes contradictory, as the very foundation of the protagonist’s election is undermined by a narrative that distorts reality. When topics like these are handled with such a lack of sensitivity, it’s hard not to be offended by a movie that treats its audience as brainless viewers. In fact, when the proposal of a global economic collapse in seconds via deepfake videos and cryptocurrencies seems to be the most plausible part of the story, it’s impossible not to question the logic behind everything.
Unfortunately, not even the action can compensate for the generic, cliché-filled script. The chaotic editing, packed with abrupt cuts, makes it hard to follow any fight or shootout sequence. Awkward and lacking any choreography, the shaky camera only contributes to a disorienting, frustrating experience. A film that fails to balance action with narrative loses its ability to capture the audience’s attention, and G20 does exactly that.
The movie’s salvation rests on the shoulders of a cast that genuinely tries to elevate the material. Viola Davis (Fences), as always, delivers a solid, emotionally charged performance, as does Antony Starr (The Boys), along with the pleasant surprise that’s the charismatic Marsai Martin (Black-ish). Unfortunately, their efforts aren’t enough to prevent G20 from becoming one of the most forgettable flicks of the year, with its screenplays being one of the most disjointed in recent memory.
Final Thoughts on G20
G20 is a colossal failure in every department, except for the cast, led by dedicated actors like Viola Davis and Antony Starr. Patricia Riggen tries to deliver a message of justice and empowerment but ultimately offers an empty, unapologetically formulaic, and shockingly incoherent story. The often incomprehensible action, the glaring lack of thematic development, and the sloppy handling of sensitive real-world issues make this superficial exercise one of the worst films of the year. A generic thriller that, even while attempting to emulate past classics, falls far short…
Rating: D
G20 is now playing in Prime Video.
Learn more about the film, including how to buy tickets, at the official website for the title.
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