Widows (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Widows is a 2018 drama thriller starring Viola Davis as Veronica, Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $76 million worldwide on a $42 million budget. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Acting Ensemble at the Critics' Choice 2019. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 9m (129 min)
- Original language
-
English
- Budget
- $42M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Widows About?
The premise of Widows without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Following the deaths of their respective husbands—notorious criminals—four women find themselves burdened by their debts and entangled in a dangerous criminal enterprise. Veronica, Alice, Linda, and Belle, each facing their own struggles, are drawn together in Chicago and must band together to survive the fallout. They navigate a world of violence and betrayal as they attempt to forge a new path and confront the legacy of their deceased spouses.
Widows Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- heist
- politics
- female nudity
- widow
- funeral
- betrayal
- theft
- dog
- murder
- baby
- spa
- bar
+38 more Show fewer
- sex scene
- driver
- priest
- restaurant
- babysitter
- grief
- interrupted sex
- woman on top sex
- female topless nudity
- based on tv series
- politician
- girl gang
- crime boss
- outlaw woman
- boxing training
- punching bag
- domestic violence
- remake
- robbery
- husband wife relationship
- black american
- african american
- chicago illinois
- money
- interracial marriage
- flashback
- flash forward
- shot in the head
- shot in the back
- shooting
- pursuit
- corruption
- political corruption
- alderman
- sex
- baby boy
- family relationships
- beauty salon
Where to Watch Widows
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Widows Cast & Characters
Viola Davis leads the cast as Veronica, with Michelle Rodriguez as Linda and Elizabeth Debicki as Alice.
-
Viola Davis as Veronica -
Michelle Rodriguez as Linda -
Elizabeth Debicki as Alice -
Liam Neeson as Harry Rawlings
Also Starring in Widows
· 14 more- Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Carlos
- Alejandro Verdin Xavy
- Bailey Rhyse Walters Gracie
- Jon Bernthal Florek
- Coby Goss
- Carrie Coon Amanda
- Colin Farrell Jack Mulligan
- Robert Duvall Tom Mulligan
- Brian Tyree Henry Jamal Manning
- Daniel Kaluuya Jatemme Manning
- Jacki Weaver
- Lukas Haas
- Garret Dillahunt
- Andre Holland
Widows Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Widows 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Widows Echo Score Breakdown
Widows demonstrates strong character portrayals and striking visual composition but is hindered by uneven narrative pacing and occasional plot clichés. Reviews praise the ensemble performances and carefully composed cinematography that underscore the film’s thematic undercurrents. However, many note that the second half falters under an overambitious storyline and discontinuous editing. Overall, Widows offers compelling craft and acting yet delivers a mixed dramatic experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, Widows delivers consistently striking cinematography and deliberate production design that capture Chicago’s gritty atmosphere. Critics and users alike highlight long single-take sequences and inventive framing that reinforce thematic tension. Editing, however, is occasionally uneven, resulting in jarring transitions between narrative threads. Overall, the film’s visual design impresses despite sporadic craft inconsistencies.
- Character & Emotion 85
When it comes to character and emotion, Widows excels through its compelling ensemble performances led by Viola Davis’s nuanced portrayal of a grieving leader. The cast’s strong chemistry and layered interactions evoke genuine empathy, even as some minor roles receive less development. Overall, the acting achieves a resonant emotional core that carries the film.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, Widows offers an ambitious blend of political intrigue and heist elements that engage initially but struggle with coherence in the second half. Viewers note moments of gripping tension alongside abrupt tonal shifts and familiar genre beats. Overall, the uneven pacing and predictable twists temper the film’s narrative impact.
- Sensory Experience 70
When evaluating sensory experience, Widows employs an understated yet atmospheric score and sound design that heighten the film’s tension. Visual style is anchored by a restrained color palette and inventive camera movements, although inconsistent editing occasionally disrupts cohesion. Overall, the auditory and visual elements create a distinctive mood even as a few technical irregularities persist.
- Rewatch Factor 55
In terms of rewatch factor, Widows presents several engaging moments in its ensemble performances and stylistic set pieces that invite repeat viewing. However, the film’s uneven narrative structure and recurring plot clichés may lessen enthusiasm on subsequent watches. Overall, the balance of strong character work and pacing issues results in only moderate lasting appeal.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 91% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 61%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 84 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
134 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.9 /5
See on Movie Insider
Widows Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Widows 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
The film begins with a dynamic introduction to its main characters during an intense heist sequence. Veronica (Viola Davis) and Harry Rawlings (Liam Neeson) are blissfully married while Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Carlos Perelli (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) run a small shop, who juggle their responsibilities with their two children, Xavy (Alejandro Verdin) and Gracie (Bailey Rhyse Walters). In stark contrast, Alice Gunner (Elizabeth Debicki) suffers abuse from her husband, Florek (Jon Bernthal), despite his occasional attempts to make amends. Meanwhile, Jimmy Nunn (Coby Goss) shares a tender goodbye kiss with his wife, Amanda (Carrie Coon).
The narrative swiftly transitions to chaos as four men, after a successful heist, find themselves chased by the police. Their escape ends tragically when their getaway van explodes, leaving Veronica to awaken in solitude.
Full summary
The whole story of Widows, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Widows Box Office & Budget
Widows grossed $76 million worldwide on a $42 million budget, 1.8 times what it cost. $42.4 million came from the US and Canada and $33.6 million (44%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$76M
1.8× its budget
- US & Canada
- $42.4M
- International
- $33.6M
- Budget
- $42M
Widows Awards & Nominations
Widows earned 5 award nominations, including Best Acting Ensemble at the Critics' Choice 2019. The 5 nominations come from 3 ceremonies, the most at the Critics' Choice 2019.
5 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Critics' Choice 2019 3 nominations- Nominated Best Acting Ensemble
- Nominated Best Action Movie
- Nominated Best Editing
-
Artios Awards 2019 1 nomination- Nominated Big Budget – Drama
-
BAFTA 2019 1 nomination- Nominated Best Actress in a Leading Role – Viola Davis
Widows Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 4 clips.
- Teaser
- Clip Widows | "Pull This Off" Clip | 20th Century FOX
- Clip Widows | "I Know Why" Clip | 20th Century FOX
- Clip Widows | "Problem Solved" Clip | 20th Century FOX
How Well Do You Know Widows?
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 tragic event sets the story into motion for the widows?
Cars in Widows
71 cars on screen, including the 2009 Chevrolet Express and the 2003 Dodge Sprinter.
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2009 Chevrolet Express Important role -
2003 Dodge Sprinter Important role -
2015 Lincoln Navigator Important role -
2003 Lincoln Town Car Important role
Widows Also Known As
37 alternative titles, including “Viudas” and “寡妇劫案”.
- Also known as
-
- Viudas
- 寡妇劫案
- 寡妇特工
- 寡婦
- 以寡敌众
- As Viúvas
- Les Veuves
- Вдовы
- Văduve
- Вдовици
- Dul Kadınlar
- Вдови
+25 more Show fewer
- Οι Χήρες
- Widows - Eredità criminale
- Widows - Tödliche Witwen
- אלמנות
- 剋.寡婦
- Vdovy
- 위도우즈
- Nyughatatlan özvegyek
- Viúvas
- Lesed
- Našlės
- Wdowy
- Удовице
- Veuves
- ロスト・マネー 偽りの報酬
- Udovice
- Widows - lesket
- Khi Các Góa Phụ Hành Động
- Atraitnes, ქვრივები
- Vdove
- بیوهها
- หม้ายสาวล้างบัญชีหนี้
- 寡妇联盟
- أرامل
- Vídues
Seen Widows?
Movies Like Widows
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Widow from Chicago, The Widows of Thursdays and Widow on the Hill.
Widows FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Widows, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Widows?
Widows runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).
When was Widows released?
Widows was released on November 16, 2018.
Who is in the cast of Widows?
Widows stars Viola Davis as Veronica, Michelle Rodriguez as Linda and Elizabeth Debicki as Alice, among 18 credited actors.
Where can I watch Widows?
In the US, Widows is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Widows make at the box office?
Widows grossed $76 million worldwide ($42.4 million domestic, $33.6 million international) on a budget of $42 million.
How is Widows rated?
Widows has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.
Was Widows nominated for any awards?
Widows received 5 nominations across 3 ceremonies.
Does Widows have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Widows has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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