R | 1h 48m | Action | 2025
Technically, there are 21 members of the G20, the multinational forum founded to address economic issues that cross borders. There are only 19 member-nations; these nations granted full membership status to the European and African Unions. Out of those 19 nations, several are outright dictatorships, like China. Consequently, nobody really expects the G20 to really do anything.
Each meeting assembles some of the world’s most powerful leaders. Obviously, the president of the United States is the highest value target when terrorists crash the annual conference. President Danielle Sutton (Viola Davis) becomes the loose cannon that they cannot corral in Patricia Riggen’s “G20.”
The latest G20 summit, hosted by South Africa, was sure to be stressful for Sutton, because she hoped to pitch her plan to create a special cryptocurrency for African farmers. It will be a tough sell, because her plan makes absolutely no economic sense. It’s just a load of double-talk that the platoon of screenwriters (Caitlin Parrish, Erica Weiss, Logan Miller, and Noah Miller) hoped might sound current and zeitgeisty, but is just silly mush.
British Prime Minister Oliver Everett (Douglas Hodge) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director Elena Romano (Sabrina Impacciatore) represent the most obstinate critics of Sutton’s scheme. As luck would have it, they’re also the only two dignitaries President Sutton and her personal Secret Service Agent Manny Ruiz (Ramon Rodriguez) shepherd to temporary safety after the terrorists strike.
The terrorist leader, Rutledge (Antony Starr), is angry about everything but nothing very concrete. The former Special Forces soldier constantly complains that the American government betrayed him, but his rhetoric is mostly a mishmash of Third World versus First World resentment. Yet, Rutledge plans to vindicate his vague indictment; he releases AI-generated clips of the hostage world leaders boasting of their coordinated global plunder.
Not Quite ‘Die Hard’
“G20” was very much conceived as a riff on “Die Hard,” set during an international summit conference. Unfortunately, none of the action scenes fully measure up to the many superior films “G20” borrows from, including “Air Force One” and the “Has Fallen” franchise. In fact, some of Davis’s showcase sequences look awkwardly cartoonish.Riggen and company nicely explore the challenges of White House parenting. Davis and Anthony share solid chemistry and their frustration with Serena, the bratty teen daughter, should ring true for most real-life parents. Martin’s character often acts irresponsibly to an almost unfathomable extent, given her mother’s position; yet the actress still exhibits impressive screen charisma.
Starr’s strangely bland portrayal of Rutledge can’t compare to his unnerving, off-kilter work as Homelander, the buzz-generating standout super-villain in the superhero parody “The Boys.” “G20” also lacks any particularly noteworthy henchmen or secondary villains.
There’s a general paucity of colorful supporting characters. Douglas Hodge indulges in boorishly blokey stereotypes as Everett, more appropriate for a soccer hooligan than the prime minister of the UK. Clark Gregg (probably most recognizable as Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson), spends most of the film conducting dry online intelligence briefings as Vice President Harold Moseley.
The most compelling supporting work comes from Rodriguez, who illustrates the drive and dedication of Secret Service protective details. Sutton’s friendly service rivalry with Ruiz, as an Army veteran needling a once-and-always Marine, further humanizes “G20,” in a way that also demonstrates an affinity with the United States military. The film’s politics are muddled to the point of incomprehension. At least, it largely reflects a perspective sympathetic to American military and Secret Service personnel.
The screenplay doesn’t have much to say about the other G20 nations or their respective systems of governance. Perhaps beyond Sutton and the United States, the president (Joseph Steven Yang) and first lady (MeeWha Alana Lee) of South Korea are probably cast in the best light. Such neutrality might make “G20” more marketable internationally, but it also renders it rather timid and largely irrelevant as a mirror to its own moment in history.
There’s little that really sticks with the audience after the final credits roll. Still, the warmth of Sutton’s family relations and her camaraderie with Ruiz produces pleasant vibes.
“G20” is likable but lightweight and forgettable. It’s watchable as a low-stress time-killer, but not recommended as deliberant appointment viewing.
