Gladiator 2 Reviews Are In: Must-See or a Hard Pass?

For a long time, the notion of a sequel to Gladiator was nothing more than a pipe dream. Now, however, the continuation of the saga is on the verge of its release. Directed once again by Ridley Scott, this follow-up comes 24 years after the original that starred Russell Crowe. The plot centers on a new protagonist, Lucius, the son of Maximus.

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is thrust into the Coliseum as his country falls under the rule of tyrannical emperors who now govern Rome with an iron fist. With the future of the Empire at stake and fury in his heart, Lucius must delve into his past to muster the strength and honor needed to restore the glory of Rome to its people.

For this ambitious new project, which promises to feature breathtaking action sequences—evident from the trailer alone—Ridley Scott has assembled a cast including Paul Mescal, known from the series “Normal People.” He stars alongside Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn from “Stranger Things” season four, and Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucilla.

Having been previewed to a small audience, “Gladiator II” has already received high praise. Here are some of the reactions:

“GLADIATOR II is a true epic and Ridley Scott’s best work in years. Paul Mescal is a fantastic action star who maintains his indie sensibility, and a worthy successor. Denzel Washington delivers each line and wears each costume with a presence that never feels overstated.”

“Rest easy, Romans. #Gladiator2 showcases Ridley Scott’s mastery of large-scale filmmaking. Everything clicks perfectly. It echoes ‘Top Gun Maverick’ in its ability to evoke the past while introducing new elements. Bold and robust filmmaking from a legendary director.”

Gladiator II by Ridley Scott hits theaters on November 13th.