WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Gladiator II.
Ridley Scott’s last film Gladiator II features strong lead performances from its exceptional cast led by Paul Mescal as Lucius. After the long-awaited release of Gladiator II On November 22, 2024, the epic blockbuster sequel received mostly positive reviews and a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 71%. Mescal leads the cast of Gladiator II alongside Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucilla, the mother of Lucius de Mescal. Gladiator II box office grossed an impressive $50 million in its opening weekend, setting it up to become one of Ridley Scott’s highest-grossing films.
While initial public consensus isn’t exactly giving Gladiator II with the same Oscar buzz as its predecessor, it’s still up for several categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington. Reviews for Gladiator II placed it in a similar realm to the original action classic, although the film only features Maximus actor and Oscar winner Russell Crowe in flashbacks from the original. Gladiator II takes place about 16 years later Gladiator ends but it introduces an additional scene that extends the ending of the original film and reveals why Lucilla became separated from her and Máximo’s son, Lúcio.
Gladiator II left most viewers entertained despite its formulaic plot that comes very close to feeling like a remake of the original Gladiator rather than a true sequel. There is also the notable issue of inconsistent and sometimes confusing accents in Gladiator II of Lucius of Mescal, of Macrinus of Washington and even of Acadius of Pescal. Even with these flaws, Gladiator II has become one of the biggest cinematic events of 2024 and expanded the legacy of the original Best Picture winner, setting the stage for what could be an epic action trilogy. Ridley Scott has not expressed plans to retire from directing anytime soon, which is exciting for the future of his several highly successful franchises such as Foreigner and Blade runner.
6
Fred Hechinger
As Emperor Caracalla
Fred Hechinger plays one of two Roman emperors in Gladiator II called Caracalla. As Emperor Geta’s brother, he and his fellow emperor oversee the Roman Empire, but are clearly unfit for the throne, as evidenced by their characters in Gladiator II. The brothers are hedonistic, bloodthirsty and quite careless with their power and Caracalla is much less restrained and predictable than his real brother. After making her film debut in Bo Burnham’s coming-of-age film, Eighth gradeHechinger went on to appear in several other films and series, such as The White Lotus, Street of Fearand Vox Luxobefore placing the piece in Gladiator II.
Hechinger’s character is mostly one-dimensional and does not require him to delve too deeply as an actor to portray Caracalla’s childish behaviors. That being said, his character is openly unlikeable and despicable, especially towards the end of the film when he essentially becomes Macrinus’s puppet. Compared to Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus from the original film, and even Joseph Quinn’s character Emperor Geta, Hechinger’s role is effective in story but terribly repetitive in character. Hechinger manages to convey his character’s idiocy well, which is not easy to do as an actor. However, the one-note quality of his detestable character could have been improved with a more experienced actor.
5
Connie Nielson
As Lucilla
Connie Nielson as Lucilla plays an essential link between the original film and the sequel and is almost the only character from the original to reprise an original role. Lucilla is now married to Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius in Gladiator II and remains a powerful figure in Rome who survived without the protection of her brother Commodus and her son’s father Maximus. Lucilla is the mother of Lúcio de Mescal and daughter of Marco Aurélio, who also played a key role in the original film. Lucilla alone adds legitimate continuity to the sequence and is, in many ways, the most significant character in the plot of Gladiator II.
Nielson’s return as Lucilla was essential to the story of Gladiator II but it’s certainly not a big selling point for the film. She was an important character for Maximus and his path to freedom, revenge and redemption and repeated her purpose in the sequel, helping Lucius and betraying the Roman emperors once again. Nielson’s portrayal of Lucilla is as strong as in the original film, but also somewhat disappointing. Lucilla could have had more influence and influence in the film, but she was mostly reduced to a role based on formality, like in the original. Although Nielson is compassionate and stoic in his performance, Lucilla can sometimes be quite dull..
4
Jose Quinn
As Emperor Geta
Joseph Quinn showed promise as Emperor Geta in Gladiator II and could have held his own as the only Emperor without his unhinged brother. Quinn rose to prominence after appearing in series such as Dickensian, Catherine the Greatand Small Ax but is best known for his role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things. He was also in the recent box office hit A peaceful place: first day and will join Pascal in the next MCU film The Fantastic Four: Getting Started in which he will take on the role of Johnny Storm/Human Torch. Quinn’s Geta showed more poise than his emperor brother and had the potential to become a much more formidable villain..
Quinn is a strong and convincing antagonist and Emperor in Gladiator II who unfortunately didn’t have much to work with like Geta. Like Caracalla, his character is quite limited, but Quinn offers more elements that actually make him more disturbing and fierce, which makes his role as Emperor more believable. Quinn certainly feels underused given his background, especially compared to the amount of screen time given to Pheonix’s Commodus in the original film. Quinn gives one of the strongest performances in Gladiator II but unfortunately it’s not in the film long enough to make a lasting impression.
3
Paulo Mescal
Like Lucius
Mescal is one of the most talented and wide-ranging rising actors of his generation. He initially gained acclaim for his leading role in the romance series Normal People before appearing in famous films such as All of us strangers and After-sunthe latter earned him a Best Actor nomination. Mescal has already expressed great emotional depth and knowledge in his previous characters, which makes his more direct role as Lúcio, Máximo’s son, seem somewhat strange at first glance. As a result, Mescal received some backlash on the Internet for being confused with Lucius in Gladiator II.
Those who disagree with the argument that Mezcal was misused Gladiator II would highlight the actor’s demonstrated ability to commit to the demands of such a physical role. Mescal’s Lucius doesn’t allow him to explore the complexities of his protagonists as much as he’s used to, but that certainly doesn’t mean he’s incapable of playing the role. In fact, his portrayal of Lucius reaffirms his impressive range and sets the stage for more action-based films in the future. Mescal shows surprising tenacity and ferocity as Lúcio who can seem repetitive and limited. However, it feels more like a criticism of the character than a flaw on the part of the actor.
2
Pedro Pascal
As General Acácio
Pedro Pascal became one of the most recognized faces in cinema and television after his remarkable performances in works such as Game of Thrones, The Mandalorianand The last of us. Pascal’s General Acadius is one of the most developed and complex characters in the film, as he becomes Lucius’s enemy and sympathizer upon meeting him. Acadius is a reluctant but loyal servant of Rome who endures the mistreatment and often ridiculous demands of the two brother emperors. Pascal plays Acadius with wisdom and emotional depth that surprises his overall character. He is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the film.
Pascal’s Acadius arguably has the most interesting and unpredictable character arc in the film, which is probably why Scott wanted an actor of Pascal’s caliber to take on the role. A less sophisticated general could have served Rome blindly and could not have separated his love for Lucilla from his duties to the Empire. His personal grievances with the Emperors are tense and realized through Pascal’s subtle yet potent acting cues. Pascal stands out for playing an honorable and sacrificial heroas shown on full display in his previous works, and nails Acadius completely, as he does in most of his roles.
1
Denzel Washington
Like Macrinus
Denzel Washington, unsurprisingly, stole almost every scene he was in in Gladiator II, bringing a larger-than-life leading man feel to a supporting role that could have earned him his third acting Oscar. Washington has won two acting Oscars, an Oscar for Best Actor for 1989 Glory directed by Edward Zwick, and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for 2001 Training day directed by Antoine Fuqua. This places him in an elite category of actors who won two Oscars in acting categories, including Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Tom Hanks.
Washington winning a third Oscar in the acting category would put him in even more rarefied air, alongside industry legends like Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Daniel Day-Lewis, Walter Brennan, Ingrid Bergman and Frances McDormand. He could very well achieve this with his performance as the devious and calculating Macrinus, who initially shared a common goal with Lucius to destroy Rome and rebuild it under a new ruler. Washington’s command is one of his greatest gifts as an actor and is felt in every frame in which he appears. Even among a strong team, Washington offers the best performance in Gladiator II.
p