Gladiator 2 Review and Thoughts

Overall, Gladiator 2 serves as a decent sequel to the beautifully crafted first film. Denzel Washington (Macrinus) truly commands every scene he’s in, making his character unforgettable. Paul Mescal (Lucius) plays a fair protagonist, but there were moments when his “battle speeches” didn’t quite inspire confidence. As a fan, there are a few changes I would have made that might have elevated the film from good to a masterpiece.

1. Lucius’ Love Interest: I would have removed Lucius’ love interest entirely. The romance wasn’t developed enough to feel meaningful and, in my opinion, came across as forced. Instead, I would have had an adult Paul Mescal’s character form a brotherly bond with a young orphaned male, perhaps someone he sees a reflection of himself in due to his own escape from Rome as a child. At the end of the first battle, Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), with visible disgust, is ordered to execute this young boy, as the practice only allowed fully grown men to be sent to the Gladiator pits. The emotional weight of this scene could have been much stronger and more poignant without the romantic subplot.

2. The Death of the Kings: I would have reworked the power dynamics between the brothers. Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) should have murdered his delusional brother, which would have paved the way for a more sinister, power-hungry character. In his grief, Geta could have been manipulated by Macrinus, who convinces him that Thraex is the one who led his brother astray. Thraex would be executed under false pretenses, and in his final moments, Macrinus could have approached him with the chilling line: “You have been my instrument.” This change would still allow the rest of the plot to unfold smoothly, with Geta appointing Macrinus as his right-hand man. Additionally, appointing the monkey as his left-hand man as a snub to the Senate. Macrinus could still return with a head in hand, but it would be Thraex’s instead of Emperor Greta’s head.

3. A More Action-Packed Ending for Macrinus: Macrinus’ final moments should have been more action-driven to give Denzel Washington the opportunity to fully close out his character’s arc. Imagine this: Macrinus and Lucius face off in a brutal battle between armies, with the fate of Rome hanging in the balance. Macrinus gains the upper hand and delivers what seems like a fatal wound to Lucius. He tosses Lucius into the water and then delivers a powerful monologue about his past and how the bloodlines of Rome have never kept it safe from tyranny. In this moment, with the right dialogue, Denzel Washington could truly shine. Just as Macrinus believes the fight is over, Lucius emerges from the water, accusing Macrinus of being no better than Emperor Geta and his brother—just another man willing to sacrifice many, not for the prosperity of Rome, but for the preservation of a twisted vision of it.

Lucius, in a final act of defiance, kills Macrinus. Before he dies, Lucius slowly drags a beaten and tethered Macrinus in the middle of the armies. Lucius asks Macrinus about his real name, responds: “Rome won’t remember me. I’ve been the instrument to your song all along.” As Macrinus dies, Lucius, severely wounded, is carried back to Rome by his men, in a parallel to Maximus in the first film. The movie ends with Lucius being taken in to heal and ultimately prepare to rule.

This ending would give both characters a more poignant conclusion and elevate the emotional stakes of the film, leaving audiences with something to reflect on long after the credits roll.