--- title: "Gladiator II: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/gladiator-ii/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/gladiator-ii" critics_score: 68 critics_reviews: 17 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Gladiator II (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 68 from 17 reviews: 11 positive, 5 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics agree on two things: Denzel Washington walks off with the film, and Ridley Scott can still stage a battle. Nearly every review, favourable or not, singles out his scheming Macrinus, and the arena set-pieces, sharks and rhinos included, are widely enjoyed as spectacle. Paul Mescal divides opinion more. Several find him commanding; others think the script gives Lucius too little to work with. The reservations cluster around the story, which many describe as a remake of the original in all but name, following its beats closely and lacking its emotional pull. The spread is wide. The more enthusiastic reviews, including Empire and Deadline, take it as a knowing romp and enjoy it on those terms. The dissenters are a minority but a sharp one: Vulture finds the film short on the earnestness the genre needs and closer to accidental comedy, while The AV Club calls it exhausted and dull beneath the digital carnage. ## Empire — Boyd Hilton Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2024. The critic calls it a fun romp and a hell of a ride that delivers big, baroque spectacle and set-pieces without taking itself too seriously. Praise goes to the fearlessness of its swings and Ridley Scott unleashing his vision. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/gladiator-ii/) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 4/5. 11 November 2024. Ridley Scott stages jaw-dropping set pieces in this sturdy sequel that revels in its more ludicrous qualities. Paul Mescal offers a commanding turn as Lucius, supported by excellent performances from Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/gladiator-ii-review/) ## The i Paper — Christina Newland Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2024. The review finds it exhilarating and satisfying, a rare sequel that lives up to the original with panache and tongue-in-cheek humour. It singles out the rousing action set-pieces and strong lead performances for praise. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/gladiator-2-review-3374241) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 12 November 2024. Ridley Scott’s brawny, bloodthirsty sequel is a colossally entertaining ride with brutal extravagance in its action and scale. Paul Mescal proves his charisma scales to a monster blockbuster, and Denzel Washington is a flamboyant trump card. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/gladiator-ii-review-2024) ## Evening Standard — Nick Curtis Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 November 2024. The critic deems it stirring, gung-ho stuff that looks ravishing with crunching action scenes. Paul Mescal is praised as the pumping heart exuding charisma and testosterone. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/gladiator-ii-review-paul-mescal-pedro-pascal-ridley-scott-rome-b1193327.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 November 2024. Though more of the same and lacking sophisticated storytelling, the spectacle does not falter and Gladiator II is the best-looking Scott film in years with an excellent cast led by Washington’s peacocking performance. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-11-21/gladiator-ii-review-paul-mescal-denzel-washington-ridley-scott) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2024. The sequel delivers the expected brutal spectacle, elaborate sets, and vigorous battles but feels like a slavish imitation of the original with a strong sense of déjà vu. Denzel Washington stands out as a scene-stealing presence amid the familiar Roman intrigue and violence. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/gladiator-ii-review-paul-mescal-denzel-washington-ridley-scott-1236057985/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2024. The critic finds the sequel entertaining and spectacular but notes it is highly derivative of the original, essentially a remake with added silliness like sharks and rhinos but lacking fresh ideas. Denzel Washington’s performance as Macrinus is singled out as the standout. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/nov/17/gladiator-ii-review-paul-mescal-denzel-washington-ridley-scott-formulaic-sequel) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2024. It is a solid piece of neoclassical popcorn with Denzel Washington taking command as the villain, but it is ultimately a mere shadow of Gladiator and just diverting enough to justify its existence. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/gladiator-2-review-paul-mescal-denzel-washington-pedro-pascal-ridley-scott-1236204115/) ## The AV Club — Ignatiy Vishnevetsky Rating C. 11 November 2024. The maximalist sequel fails to replicate the original's charisma, coming across as both bad history and bad historical fiction with an air of exhausted decadence. Over-the-top emperors and digital carnage cannot mask the prevailing sense of boredom and weak thematic parallels. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/gladiator-ii-review) ## The New Yorker — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 20 November 2024. After a propulsive opening the film recedes into the long shadow of its predecessor; the arena battles entertain but the sudden turn to civics lesson rings hollow as it panders to bloodlust. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/12/02/wicked-movie-review-gladiator) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2024. Ridley Scott’s sequel lacks the earnestness needed for brawny historical epics, landing instead in an uneasy mix of inadvertent and intentional comedy that leaves audiences more likely to snicker than weep. Denzel Washington fares best as the scheming Macrinus with unpredictable line readings and a wolfish grin. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/gladiator-ii-review-sorry-but-men-deserve-better-than-this.html) ## Screen Daily 11 November 2024. Paul Mescal brings rugged masculinity to the role in this brawny spectacle that cannot quite match the stirring spirit of the original. Denzel Washington’s devilish schemer steals the picture, though Ridley Scott retains his flair for grandeur. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/gladiator-ii-review/5198467.article) ## Sight and Sound — Guy Lodge 14 November 2024. Denzel Washington’s extravagant performance brings vigour to Ridley Scott’s proficient retread of his Roman blockbuster. The film is a sequel that effectively doubles as a remake, closely mirroring the original’s narrative while feeling like a pro forma blockbuster. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/gladiator-ii-sequel-that-effectively-doubles-remake) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Rating Critic’s Pick. 21 November 2024. Denzel Washington’s performance shows skill, intensity and absolute confidence in Ridley Scott’s pleasurably immersive epic about ancient Roman fighters. It is a performance of charismatic evil and of mesmerizing stardom both. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/movies/gladiator-ii-review.html) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2024. The critic finds Ridley Scott's sequel a riveting and worthy follow-up that breathes new life into the gladiator epic. Paul Mescal's compelling performance as Lucius and Denzel Washington's superb turn as the devious Macrinus are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2024/11/gladiator-ii-review-paul-mescal-denzel-washington-ridley-scotts-long-awaited-sequel-best-picture-oscar-winner-1236172181/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating 7/10. 11 November 2024. The critic finds Gladiator II a worthwhile but lesser sequel that expands the world through political intrigue and strong supporting performances, especially Denzel Washington, while praising Ridley Scott's scale in action sequences. It falls short by leaning too heavily on the original film's story beats, leaving Paul Mescal's lead character feeling underdeveloped in comparison. [Read the review](https://collider.com/gladiator-2-review/) ## Digital Spy — Mireia Mullor Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2024. Entertaining and visually spectacular with strong action, but lacks emotional punch and connection to characters compared to the first film. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a62813863/gladiator-2-review/) ## /Film — Chris Evangelista Rating 7/10. 11 November 2024. The film is sturdy, solid, enjoyable blockbuster filmmaking and a testament to Ridley Scott's skill as an entertainer even at an advanced age. Denzel Washington's scene-stealing performance as the villain stands out as the best part. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1708857/gladiator-2-ridley-scott-sequel-review/) ## NME — Alex Flood Rating 3/5. 11 November 2024. Fun action and good cast, but too reliant on nostalgia without creating new memorable moments or emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/gladiator-2-review-paul-mescal-3811514) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4 out of 5. 11 November 2024. The critic praises the visual spectacle and entertainment value but notes it lacks the emotional depth of the original, excelling in action and excess. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/gladiator-2-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/gladiator-ii.md