Ava (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Ava is a 2020 action thriller directed by Tate Taylor, starring Jessica Chastain, Ioan Gruffudd and Jess Weixler. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $3.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 18% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Tate Taylor
- Original language
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English
- Studio
- Vertical Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ava About?
The premise of Ava without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Ava is a highly skilled and ruthless assassin working for a clandestine organization, carrying out dangerous assignments worldwide. During a particularly challenging mission, things go awry, forcing her to confront unexpected threats and fight to protect her own life. She must use all her training and resourcefulness to survive.
Ava Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- murder
- one woman army
- tough girl
- assassin
- female assassin
- gun
- shooting
- female protagonist
- black man white woman romance
- black man white woman kiss
- black man white woman relationship
- double cross
+38 more Show fewer
- female warrior
- revenge
- femme fatale
- nightclub
- woman fights a man
- interracial relationship
- restaurant
- hospital
- fishing
- death of mentor
- gun battle
- pistol
- shot in the head
- shot in the forehead
- shot in the chest
- shot in the back
- shot to death
- shot in the leg
- woman murders a man
- redhead
- gambling debt
- paying off gambling debt
- title spoken by character
- character name in title
- black ops
- knife fight
- fistfight
- hand to hand combat
- forename as title
- wig
- lipstick
- electronic music score
- death
- violence
- brutality
- mercilessness
- hostage
- held at gunpoint
Ava Cast
Jessica Chastain leads the cast, with Ioan Gruffudd and Jess Weixler. Directed by Tate Taylor; 12 actors are credited in all.
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Director Tate Taylor
Also Starring in Ava
· 8 moreMore from Tate Taylor
More films directed by Tate Taylor, best-rated first: The Help, Get On Up, Ma and The Girl on the Train.
Ava Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Ava 18% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 45/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in story & flow (35).
Ava Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Ava offers a modest assortment of action set pieces but is hindered by a derivative plot and uneven execution. While reviewers acknowledge moments of visual flair and strong performances—particularly from its lead and supporting actors—the narrative often feels disjointed and builds to a predictable outcome. The film’s tone oscillates between family drama and spy thriller without fully committing to either, leading to inconsistent pacing. In sum, Ava provides occasional entertainment but falls short of cohesive storytelling or sustained engagement.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 45
In terms of Art & Craft, Ava displays intermittent visual flair yet lacks a coherent directorial vision. Some sequences feature striking cinematography and polished production design, but poorly choreographed fight scenes and uninspired editing undercut these strengths. The film’s aesthetics rarely unify into a distinct style, leaving the overall craft uneven.
- Character & Emotion 50
When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film benefits from committed performances by its lead and notable supporting actors, which lend occasional depth to interpersonal dynamics. However, several characters remain underdeveloped, and the emotional stakes fail to resonate consistently. As a result, character arcs feel superficial despite competent acting.
- Story & Flow 35
With regard to Story & Flow, Ava hinges on familiar thriller tropes and family drama motifs that seldom feel original. Early plot developments generate some intrigue, but the narrative becomes disjointed in the second half, and pacing issues introduce confusing transitions. Overall, the story lacks cohesion and fresh perspective.
- Sensory Experience 50
In terms of Sensory Experience, the film’s score and visual composition provide occasional bursts of energy that support its action passages. Yet sound design and fight staging are inconsistent, with some scenes feeling flat or poorly executed. The lack of a distinct auditory or visual identity limits immersive appeal throughout the runtime.
- Rewatch Factor 45
Regarding Rewatch Factor, Ava offers brief highlights—such as select action sequences and key dramatic moments—that can reward a second viewing. Nonetheless, the overarching narrative complications and uneven craft diminish its lasting appeal, making repeated watchings feel more laborious than engaging. Overall, prospects for sustained enjoyment remain limited.
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IMDb 5.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 18% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 29%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 39 Metascore
User score 4.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 58% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Ava Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Ava from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ava Faulkner, played by Jessica Chastain, is a woman of complexity—a recovering addict, a former soldier, and now an assassin. The narrative unfolds as Ava meticulously devises a plan to kidnap her latest target, an English businessman named Peter Hamilton, portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd. Disguised as his chauffeur, she picks him up at the airport and proceeds to the serene French countryside, where the tension begins to heighten. As they drive, Ava appears to seduce him, eventually maneuvering the car into the wilderness where she climbs into the back seat, poised for her lethal task.
Full summary
The whole story of Ava, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Ava Box Office
Ava grossed $3.3 million worldwide. $497,747 came from the US and Canada and $2.8 million (85%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$3.3M
- US & Canada
- $497.7K
- International
- $2.8M
Ava Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Ava.
How Well Do You Know Ava?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Ava Faulkner's profession?
Cars in Ava
21 cars on screen, including the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV and the 1974 BMW 525 E12.
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2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV Important role -
1974 BMW 525 E12 Minor role -
2013 BMW F 800 GS Minor role -
International unknown Minor role
Seen Ava?
Movies Like Ava
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ava's Possessions, AV: The Hunt and Violet & Daisy.
Ava FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Ava, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ava?
Ava runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was Ava released?
Ava was released on September 25, 2020.
Who directed Ava?
Ava was directed by Tate Taylor.
More films by Tate Taylor Who is in the cast of Ava?
Ava stars Jessica Chastain, Ioan Gruffudd and Jess Weixler, among 12 credited actors.
How much did Ava make at the box office?
Ava grossed $3.3 million worldwide ($497,747 domestic, $2.8 million international).
How is Ava rated?
Ava has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.
Does Ava have a post-credit scene?
No. Ava has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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