Widows Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A group of women whose husbands died committing crimes decide to honor their memories by… also committing crimes, but with more social commentary.

🍿 Widows: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Botched Heist

The film opens with intercut scenes of domestic life and a high-stakes robbery gone wrong. Harry Rawlings (Liam Neeson) and his crew, including Carlos (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), Florek (Jon Bernthal), and Jimmy (Coburn Goss), are pursued by the police after stealing $2 million from crime boss Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry). The chase ends tragically when their van explodes, killing all four men.

Debts and Demands

The widows of the deceased criminals are left to grapple with the consequences of their husbands’ actions. Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis), Harry’s widow, is confronted by Jamal Manning, who needs the stolen $2 million to fund his campaign for alderman. Jamal threatens Veronica, giving her a short deadline to repay the debt.

A Plan Emerges

Desperate and facing mounting pressure, Veronica discovers a notebook detailing Harry’s future heist plans. She decides to assemble the other widows – Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Alice (Elizabeth Debicki) – to execute the $5 million heist and repay Jamal. The fourth widow, Amanda (Carrie Coon), is excluded due to her newborn child.

Preparation and Discovery

The women face numerous challenges as they prepare for the heist, including acquiring weapons and transportation. Alice becomes involved in escorting, using a client, David (Lukas Haas), to identify the target of Harry’s plan: the home of Jack Mulligan (Colin Farrell), Jamal’s opponent in the alderman election. Linda struggles with the blueprints until Alice finds out it is the Mulligan’s safe.

The Mulligan Heist

Veronica, Linda, Alice and Belle (Cynthia Erivo), who steps in as the driver, execute the plan to rob the Mulligan home. The heist goes smoothly until Tom Mulligan (Robert Duvall) confronts them. In the ensuing chaos, Tom shoots Alice, and Linda shoots and kills Tom. They escape with the money, but are intercepted by Jamal’s brother, Jatemme (Daniel Kaluuya), who steals the van.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Veronica (Viola Davis): The intelligent and grief-stricken widow of a deceased thief, forced to lead a heist to repay her husband’s debt and secure her future.
• Alice (Elizabeth Debicki): A vulnerable widow who evolves from an abused woman to a resourceful member of the heist crew.
• Linda (Michelle Rodriguez): A mother and widow who lost her business due to her husband’s debts and reluctantly joins the heist to provide for her children.
• Harry Rawlings (Liam Neeson): A skilled thief whose death sets off a chain of events, leaving his widow indebted and vulnerable.
• Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry): A ruthless crime boss and aspiring politician who seeks to recover stolen money from the widows of the deceased thieves.
• Jatemme Manning (Daniel Kaluuya): Jamal’s terrifying and violent brother, who acts as his enforcer and poses a significant threat to the widows.
• Jack Mulligan (Colin Farrell): A politician running for alderman, entangled in corruption and family legacy, with ties to Harry’s criminal activities.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Veronica: “The best thing we have going for us is we’re women. Nobody thinks we have the balls to pull this off.” – Veronica rallies the women by highlighting their underestimated status as an advantage.
• Jamal Manning: “Sometimes, what’s yours gotta be took back by force.” – Jamal explains his ruthless approach to recovering what he believes is rightfully his.
• Veronica: “We have to look and move like a team of men.” – Veronica instructs the group on how to behave during the heist to avoid suspicion.
• Tom Mulligan: “This is about power. Always has been, always will be.” – Tom articulates his cynical view of politics as a game of power and control.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $42,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $42,402,632
• Worldwide Gross: $75,984,700

💥 Widows Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘Widows’ just blew me away. I went in expecting a heist movie, but it was so much more! Viola Davis’ performance is incredible; you can feel the weight of everything she’s carrying. The scene where she confronts Liam Neeson near the end? Chills. And the way the film weaves in themes of race and politics is masterful. Definitely one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. It’s a thinking person’s action film, and I loved every second.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist movies with a strong female lead.”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary on race, class, and gender.”
  • “Those who appreciate well-acted, character-driven dramas.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong violence.”
  • “Mature themes including crime, corruption, and grief.”
  • “Some strong language.”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Smart, stylish, and subversive, ‘Widows’ delivers a thrilling heist movie while also offering sharp social commentary and spotlighting the underrepresented voices of women of color. The cast is exceptional.
• Variety: “Steve McQueen elevates a standard heist plot into a complex and compelling drama. The performances are powerful, particularly Viola Davis, and the film offers a nuanced look at race, class, and power in contemporary Chicago.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A densely plotted crime thriller with a strong ensemble cast, ‘Widows’ is a gripping and thought-provoking film that tackles issues of race, gender, and corruption in a compelling way. The heist is just one layer of a much deeper story.

Audience Reactions

Viola Davis’ powerful performance as Veronica is unforgettable.: Most viewers praise the film’s complex characters and the outstanding performances from the entire cast, especially Viola Davis and Daniel Kaluuya.

The film’s unexpected twists kept me on the edge of my seat.: The intricate plot and surprising twists kept audiences engaged and guessing until the very end.

Overall Consensus: Widows is a critically acclaimed thriller praised for its complex characters, outstanding performances, and sharp social commentary, making it a standout in the heist genre.

Awards

1. Black Reel Awards (Outstanding Actress)- 2019
2. Critics’ Choice Movie Awards (Best Acting Ensemble)- 2019

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the 1983 British television series of the same name by Lynda La Plante.”
• “Director Steve McQueen chose Chicago as the setting to explore themes of race, class, and politics within a specific urban landscape.”
• “Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall improvised many of their scenes, adding to the authenticity of their characters’ strained relationship.”

🖥️ How to Watch Widows?

Widows is available to rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable or satellite providers. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) can be purchased from major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Widows, you might like these similar films:

• Set It Off (1996): Features a group of women resorting to crime out of desperation, highlighting themes of friendship and survival.
• The Town (2010): A heist film set in a specific city (Boston), exploring the characters’ backgrounds and motivations alongside the crime.
• Heat (1995): A sprawling crime epic with a focus on both the criminals and the law enforcement pursuing them, exploring their motivations and personal lives.
• Baby Driver (2017): Modern crime film with strong characters, intense action and a unique take on heists and crime.

🛒 Widows Related Products

• Widows [Blu-ray]: Own the visually stunning movie on Blu-ray, featuring behind-the-scenes content and special features to deepen your appreciation for the film’s artistry and social commentary.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Widows – Veronica: Add Veronica, the formidable lead character, to your Funko Pop! collection and celebrate the strong female characters from the movie.
• Steve McQueen: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series): Dive deeper into the mind of the director, Steve McQueen, and his creative process behind ‘Widows’ and his other critically acclaimed films.
• Heist Society by Ally Carter: If you like heist books, you’ll love Ally Carter. Read about a girl recruited for her unique set of skills.

🎧 Soundtrack

Widows features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Kilometros” – performed by Sin Bandera
• “End Credits” – performed by Hans Zimmer
• “The Man” – performed by Aloe Blacc

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Delve into the complexities of Natasha Romanoff’s character and the profound themes of her solo film in this insightful analysis. Discover her journey from a trained assassin to a selfless hero!

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