Widows

2018

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Generally favorable reviewsbased on 272 Ratings

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6.9

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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 hands… Expand

Director: Steve McQueen

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

Rating: R

Runtime: 129 min

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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 StageChristopher 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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6.9

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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.

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 and… Expand

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-.

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 the… Expand

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 Oscar… Expand

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 thought… Expand