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Action thriller

Ava (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Ava (2020) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
18%
worldwide gross
$3.3M
Echo Score
45
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Ava (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Tate Taylor
Genres
Action , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

Ava Cast

Jessica Chastain leads the cast, with Ioan Gruffudd and Jess Weixler. Directed by Tate Taylor; 12 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Tate Taylor

More films directed by Tate Taylor, best-rated first: The Help, Get On Up, Ma and The Girl on the Train.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

45 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.3M

US & Canada
$497.7K
International
$2.8M
US & Canada 15% Rest of the world 85%
Videos

Ava Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Ava.

Ava | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Ava Faulkner's profession?

Cars

Cars in Ava

21 cars on screen, including the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV and the 1974 BMW 525 E12.

All 21 cars
  • 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV in Ava 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV Important role
  • 1974 BMW 525 E12 in Ava 1974 BMW 525 E12 Minor role
  • 2013 BMW F 800 GS in Ava 2013 BMW F 800 GS Minor role
  • International unknown in Ava International unknown Minor role

Seen Ava?

FAQ

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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