Sorry, Paul Mescal, But Denzel Washington Is the Real Star of ‘Gladiator II’

Macrinus is crafty, conniving, ruthless and incredibly selfish. The former slave-turned-arms dealer has no qualms with manipulating people or destroying  everything in his path as he embarks on his quest for power. He's also driven by anger, vengeance and greed. Still, despite these awful qualities, a part of me wants to root for him. Partly because I see the same quiet power that I've always noticed in so many of Washington's other roles, whether he's silently observing a spectacle from the sidelines or having a casual chat with the rulers of Rome. And then of course, there's his dark past, which offers a clear (and dare I say, understandable) motive for his actions.

I really like that Washington doesn't portray Macrinus as your run-of-the-mill villain. He's got a charming side. He laughs easily. He can chuckle and trade jokes over wine. But he's also haunted by events that have left him bitter, and I can't help but sympathize with him. I won't reveal the details, but there's a heartbreaking scene where Macrinus confides his motives and adds a bit of depth to his character, suggesting that he's just a misguided soul who ventured to the dark side because of trauma.

Now, I understand that this isn't a movie about Macrinus. Lucius is meant to be the focal point as he tries to fill his father's shoes and bring back the dream of Rome. While Mescal does a great job of transforming into a skilled gladiator, Lucius doesn't quite reach his father's level of glory—even with his rousing speech. Perhaps it's because this movie doesn't carry the same emotional weight or impact as the first. However, I think it's largely because Lucius was outshined by the villain. Anyone who has seen this film would likely agree that Macrinus is the invisible hand that guides this story.

He worked his way to the top and he understands how Rome functions. He knows how to plant doubt and quietly sow discord. He can easily use his superiors for his benefit, under the guise of wise counsel. And it is so fascinating to see how he moves the puzzle pieces, right under everyone's noses.

By the time the credits rolled, I confess, I was left mostly thinking about Macrinus and a potential spin-off—one that would detail his life as a slave and his slow transformation into a power-hungry statesman. What environment did he grow up in? How did he learn to fight so well as a gladiator? And how did he go about climbing his way to the top? As I pondered these questions, I figured this would make for a much more compelling movie than the current sequel.

Still, Gladiator II is a good effort. I appreciate the gory battle scenes and emotional references to the first film. But as far as I'm concerned, it's Washington who's the real star.

Gladiator II is now showing in theaters.

Want all the latest movie reviews sent to your inbox? Subscribe here.