Nominated for Best Costume Design 
Hanno (Paul Mescal) lived fairly happily outside the Roman empire until a legion led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) came and conquered them for the glory of the twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). Hanno is sold to the gladiator stable of Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a highly ambitious man with his own desire for vengeance, who recognizes a kindred spirit. As Macrinus ingratiates himself to the emperors, Hanno competes and waits for his chance at the General whom he blames for all the excesses of the imploding empire.
Zero reason for this movie to be made. It says nothing differently from the original and references it relentlessly. It would be one thing if it had a point that it was trying to make, but it doesn't. It's just nostalgia bait. The costumes are good but they're also basically the same as from the first movie. And there's so much CGI, you can barely focus on them anyway.
Washington walks off with this movie and it's not even a contest. He's Macbeth in a toga. Pascal is cashing a paycheck and Mescal is trying out his Russell Crowe impression. You've seen better from both of them.
There are three speaking roles for women. Two of them are fridged and the third is a spy with one line that doesn't further the plot in any way. She is basically an extra.
It's streaming on Paramount+ but so is Gladiator and if you have to choose, choose wisely.
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