Simon Gering

Unfortunately, Gladiator 2 is a huge disappointment and a disservice to the legacy of the first film. The original Gladiator was a masterpiece—realistic, captivating, and filled with characters you genuinely cared about. The actors perfectly embodied the Roman atmosphere, making every scene feel authentic and engaging. While Denzel Washington delivers a strong performance (as expected), he feels out of place in this role. Pedro Pascal was great and certainly did his best, but even a standout performance can’t carry a film alone. The main character is so lackluster and unengaging that he feels more like a secondary or even tertiary character. It’s difficult to connect with him on any level. The overwhelming reliance on special effects further undermines the immersive and realistic atmosphere of the original movie. The story, sadly, just doesn’t hold up. Watching Gladiator 2 felt like a waste of time. It’s truly disappointing to see this sequel linked to such a legendary film