The new action movie G20 imagines a wild “what if” story: What if the President of the United States had to fight off terrorists? And what if she was also a martial arts expert who didn’t back down from danger? Viola Davis plays that very president — and she brings strength and power to the role.
This movie follows in the footsteps of older action films like Air Force One (1997), where the U.S. President becomes the hero. But G20 takes things even further. Davis plays President Danielle Sutton, a tough and determined leader who proves she can handle anything — even a group of high-tech terrorists.
The Story
The film takes place mostly at a fancy hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, where leaders from around the world have gathered for the G20 economic summit. President Sutton arrives with her family — her caring husband Derek (played by Anthony Anderson), teenage daughter Serena (Marsai Martin), and young son Demetrius (Christopher Farrar).
Everything is going smoothly until a dangerous group of terrorists led by Rutledge (played by Antony Starr) attacks. Rutledge is an Australian extremist and crypto-terrorist with military training. He and his crew take most of the world leaders hostage. Their plan? Force the leaders to record videos that are turned into fake news clips — deepfakes — designed to crash the global stock markets. Rutledge especially wants to ruin President Sutton’s reputation.
But President Sutton and her head bodyguard Manny (Ramón Rodríguez) manage to escape. They sneak through the hotel, fighting the bad guys in small, tight spaces like elevators and kitchens. While Sutton tries to find a way out and protect the others, her family is also busy trying to stay alive and outsmart the terrorists.
Fun Characters and Moments
There are several funny and exciting side characters too. These include:
The elderly South Korean First Lady (played by MeeWha Alana Lee), who brings both humor and courage.
A sexist British Prime Minister (Douglas Hodge), who is often the butt of jokes.
A stylish Italian diplomat in high heels (Sabrina Impacciatore), who shines during a wild missile escape scene.
All of them end up sticking with President Sutton for safety — and some comic relief.
Viola Davis Shines
Viola Davis is mostly known for serious drama roles like in Fences, which won her an Oscar. But she’s also proved herself in action movies like Widows and The Woman King. In G20, her strong presence makes even the silliest scenes feel intense. Even when the fight scenes are poorly shot or edited, Davis still looks fierce and powerful just by standing still and holding a weapon.
She also gives emotional speeches in the movie — like one where she talks about her military past and the magazine cover that launched her political career. The movie tries to make these moments serious, but sometimes the way they are shown feels a little fake or over-the-top, which can be funny instead of touching.
A Mix of Action and Absurdity
Director Patricia Riggen fills the film with big action scenes, close calls, and dramatic moments. While the plot doesn’t always make sense — especially the whole deepfake plan — the movie still keeps you entertained. It’s full of energy, cheesy lines, and over-the-top action.
Some viewers might notice that the film touches on political ideas, especially with Davis playing a Black woman president. Though the movie was made before the latest U.S. elections, it still might remind people of current politics. But once the action kicks in, those thoughts mostly fade away. You just sit back and enjoy the wild ride.
Final Thoughts
G20 is not a deep or realistic movie, but it is a fun and exciting one. If you like action films with tough heroes and big explosions, you’ll probably enjoy this. And Viola Davis brings serious star power, even when the story goes a little crazy.
G20 — Movie Details:
Rating: R (for violence, fighting, and hostage situations)
Running Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Available on: Prime Video
Genres: Action, Thriller
Directed by: Patricia Riggen
Written by: Caitlin Parrish, Erica Weiss, Noah Miller, Logan Miller
Main Cast: Viola Davis, Anthony Anderson, Ramón Rodríguez, Marsai Martin, Antony Starr
In short, G20 is a silly but satisfying action movie, made better by Viola Davis’s powerful performance.