G20 2025 Movie Review Trailer Poster

 Remember that absurd 2013 Channing Tatum film, White House Down? That same vibe permeates the Prime Video original, G20, starring Oscar winner Viola Davis. The film is set in a world where the United States has a Black female president. Quite original, if you ask me (just kidding). The story follows an attack on the G20 summit, which puts world leaders (and the currency) in grave danger, with only one woman capable of saving the day. You know what I love about this movie? It gives Danielle Sutton the exact role Daniel Stutton would have played had he been in her shoes. Yes, it's a conventional thriller, but there's something endearing about watching Viola Davis brutally beat the bad guys in a vermillion dress too attractive to fight in.

In true Hollywood fashion, the film ignores the world leaders of all other countries, considering the United States the greatest superpower and reminding us that only with them can the world function. The absurdity of all this is the ease with which Madam President handles the situation of a group of attackers trying to collapse the global economy. But hey, at least we have an Australian agent who deserves at least some credit for her coolness. You'd think that for a movie about the US president, the G20 summit, terrorist activity, and the whole shebang, there wouldn't be much more to it. That's how it seems from the outside, especially when you see a muscled-up Davis carrying her gun and ready to save the world. But, to my surprise, this movie has some heart. I know! It doesn't make any sense.

Director: Patricia Riggen
Writers: Caitlin Parrish, Erica Weiss, Logan Miller
Stars: Viola Davis, Anthony Anderson, Ramón Rodríguez

I don't know about you, but lately I've noticed a pattern in movies about parent-child relationships in Hollywood. It's great that we can see real life reflected so well on screen, but is this the only way to connect with people through AI-generated plots with basic dialogue? I guess I can't complain, because what makes this movie worth watching isn't that Viola Davis is a badass, but Danielle's relationship with her daughter, Serena. This is the main point of the movie; regardless of the collapsing global economy or deceased world leaders, because in the end, what we're really worried about is: "Will this woman be able to take care of her family?"

No, all jokes aside, I quite enjoyed this angle of the movie, and it's always great to see a situation that makes you think, "Like father, like son." But will it be enough to save this movie? I'm not sure. The sad thing is that, despite having the feel of a big-budget action thriller, the movie feels like a TV movie without substance, or rather, without enough import tariffs. Sorry, I had to try. For someone like me, this doesn't matter as much as it does for anyone who actually cares about the action, the shooting, the visual effects, the dialogue, the angles, etc. If you're looking for all of that, this movie lacks commitment.

As for motivation, while the good guys always look out for their families, I wish there was something deeper to the bad guys' pasts than just, "You created this monster, now accept it." It seems like an act of personal rebellion, but where's the personal? I'm a little confused about who this movie is really aimed at. Is it for action lovers, for women who want to see themselves in positions of power, or for the "ideal" American who loves a good military series and having the world at their fingertips? Because, in my opinion, this movie isn't really aimed at any of those types. 

Instead, it perhaps tries too hard to appeal to everyone. At one point in the film, Danielle's son asks two South African soldiers if they're from Wakanda. To be fair, he thinks they're hotel staff, but that gives you a sense of how the rest of the movie feels. But this isn't the only reference to Wakanda, because, tell me, why are Serena and Shuri basically the same character? Do rebellion and technology go hand in hand? And if so, why didn't anyone tell me? I think, as far as characters go, most of them seem two-dimensional, including the president. There's really no substance here.

Ultimately, G20 is a poor attempt at a quasi-woke film. It lacks a specific direction, but you can see it simply by watching it, without giving it much thought. In reality, this film feels like a 2010s movie, but it's modernized by the presence of a female president, who is also Black; there are deepfakes involved; and, of course, the main topic of discussion is cryptocurrency. If you're not interested in those last words, I'd say don't waste your time with this film. But if you're looking to see Viola Davis play another of her powerful female characters, one who refuses to be humiliated by anything, you can watch it. I would warn you, though, to stop thinking about it for the hour and 40 minutes it takes to watch the film.

Watch G20 2025 Movie Trailer