Review of Ava
midlandsmovies • November 25, 2020
Ava (2020) Dir. Tate Taylor
Ava is a new action-thriller starring Jessica Chastain as an assassin who returns home to reconnect with her family whilst undertaking a series of violent international hits linked to people from her past.
Ava begins with a feisty opening where Ioan Gruffudd as a businessman is a sleazy target for the sultry hit-woman and the sequence teases a slightly campy violent romp. Yet nothing in the following 90 minutes hits the heights of this first scene.
As Ava reconnects with her estranged sister and ill mother (an excellent Geena Davis), a half-hearted Bourne Identity narrative flails around trying to hook onto something reminiscent of an original idea.
John Malkovich stars as Ava’s boss giving her direction (sort of) and advice, whilst Colin Farrell is underused as he delivers an over-the-top pantomime villain role. The fight scenes are haphazardly shot and edited and for a film containing so many A-listers, Ava looks incredibly cheap for a vehicle featuring actors of this calibre.
Sadly, not one of these talents can elevate the material beyond its derivative set up. Blandly directed by Tate Taylor, the man behind the disappointing horror Ma from last year, don’t expect a Miss Sloane or Molly’s Game as despite Chastain’s ballsy performance it’s a yawn fest throughout.
Ava therefore ends as a toothless run-of-the-mill thriller sleepwalking through dramatic beats and cheaply shot action.
★★
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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