Viola Davis as the President of the United States during a hostage crisis at the G20 summit? Yes, please—and thank you.
In G20, director Patricia Riggen unleashes an adrenaline-junkie fever dream set against the world’s most elite political backdrop. Viola Davis plays President Danielle Sutton, and from her first steely glance, you know this isn’t going to be a “wait for the Marines” kind of presidency. It’s a “get me a sidearm and clear the room” kind.
The setup is a global summit turned siege: international leaders taken hostage by a paramilitary group with just enough vague ideology to justify explosions every five minutes. Think Air Force One meets Olympus Has Fallen, but with more geopolitical flair and actual acting chops. Davis doesn’t just play a president—she becomes the commander-in-chief we all wish we had during a crisis. She’s tough, sharp, and still remains relatable with her struggles with trauma from her past and the weight of being a parent to not only her children but also to the entire country playing into her decision-making.
The film doesn’t slow down long enough for deep character arcs, but it doesn’t need to. Supporting cast members, like the reliably intense Antony Starr as the lead terrorist and Ramon Rodriguez as a loyal Secret Service agent, orbit Davis like satellites—sometimes helping, sometimes just catching the ricochet of her intensity.
The cinematography is bold, the editing frantic, and the sound design favors crunch over nuance. Joseph Trapanese’s score pulses with tension, though sometimes it feels like it’s auditioning for a Call of Duty trailer.
Is it ridiculous? Absolutely. But it’s also riveting. It trades realism for catharsis, subtlety for spectacle. And honestly, it works. Viola Davis turns what could’ve been an eye-roll of a script into a fist-pumping, bullet-dodging power fantasy.
No notes, Madam President. Just four stars and a standing ovation.
RHFC Rating 8/10 🍿
