Gladiator IIinvites viewers back to the heart of the Roman Empire to witness the Colosseum in all its glory and gore, 24 years after the events of its predecessor (16 years within the film’s timeline). This time around, it’s not Russell Crowe’s Maximus facing the might of Joaquin Phoenix’s Emperor Commodus. Instead, it’s his son, Lucius, fighting underneath the gaze of twin Roman Emperors, Caracalla and Geta.
Considering the profound success of its predecessor,Gladiator— a Best Picture winner — Ridley Scott’s latestsword-and-sandal epichad some massive shoes to fill in terms of story, spectacle, and heart. While opinions may vary on how it compares to the original,Gladiator IIclearly does one thing better than the first: ending on a happier note, despite the stench of death. So how exactly does that end play out?
Ridley Scott
Cast
Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger
$210 million (net)
Rotten Tomatoes Score
76%
Gladiator II, like its predecessor, begins with a battle — albeit in a grander fashion.Paul Mescal’s Luciusis with his wife, Arishat, in Numidia, the last free city in Africa Nova, when the alarm bells ring. A Roman armada, led by Pedro Pascal’s valiant General Marcus Acacius, approaches the city with the intent of sacking it. The Numidians try to prevent a landing and an artillery duel ensues. Surely enough, the more professional Roman legion prevails. Lucius' wife is killed in battle, and he is shipped to Europe to face a fate familiar to the audience. He registers Acacius’s face and name to exact his revenge if the chance ever comes.
Lucius becomes the prized asset of arms and gladiator dealerMacrinus (brilliantly played by Denzel Washington) after he single-handedly prevails in a pit filled with murderous baboons. At the arena, he impresses the crowd — and his fellow gladiators — with his feats in some of the most spectacular battles seen onscreen in a long time. He defeats a gladiator astride a rhinoceros, and commandeers a ship in a naval battle in the Colosseum involving sharks and blood.
Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, wife of General Acacius and daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, discovers that Lucius is her son whom she sent away for safety after the death of her lover, Maximus. Upon learning his identity, she plots to save him. However, Lucilla and Acacius’ ongoing plot to dethrone the incompetent and war-hungry emperors with loyal troops stationed outside Rome is discovered, and they are arrested. Acacius turns from Rome’s most decorated man to a gladiator doomed to death overnight.
Lucius gets his chance to face Acacius in the arena, but it doesn’t end quite how it’s supposed to. He ends up having to save his mother from execution and ultimately battles an ambitious Macrinus, who plans to kill both emperors and have Rome for himself.
How Does Gladiator II End?
The moments leading up toGladiator II’s finale involve some gruesome and painful deaths, which are set in motion by Acacius’ death. As the most celebrated citizen in Rome, his death incites unrest among the populace, especially after Lucius’ reminder to the people of how the leadership treats its heroes. As the streets boil and voices call for the heads of the emperors outside the palace, Macrinus uses the opportunity to incite one brother against the other. This quickly results inCaracalla killing Geta, and Macrinus himself severing the dead emperor’s head.
The sole emperor and his newly appointed counsel, Macrinus, set Lucilla up to be killed in the arena, along with other Senators conspiring against the throne, by the Praetorian guard. Lucius is scheduled to be her sole protector. However, Lucius had secretly freed the other gladiators the previous night and plans to rescue his mother. He also dons his father’s armor and sword and reveals his true identity as the Prince of Rome to his friend, a doctor, instructing him to ride out and deliver Acacius’ ring to the commander of the legion stationed outside Rome. This legion, still loyal to the late general, has been waiting for a command to march into Rome, and Lucius’s plan hinges on their support.
As Lucilla awaits her fate tied to a pole in the arena, Lucius arrives with other gladiators and defeats the Praetorian guard. He unties her, but not before Macrinus fires an arrow through Lucilla’s heart. Macrinus kills Emperor Caracalla and flees the arena on horseback with Lucius in hot pursuit as Acacius’ army, now at the gates of Rome, prepares to square up with the Emperor’s troops. Lucius challenges him and a brutal fight ensues. Being a former gladiator himself, Macrinus gains the upper hand and almost drowns Lucius in a nearby stream. But Lucius regains his strength, chopping off his hand and killing him.
Victorious and the last surviving heir to the throne, Lucius — also one of the few remaining main characters after a wave of brutal deaths — delivers a powerful speech that unites the once-opposing armies. Together, they march into Rome, ready to restore order and secure its future. The final scene takes Lucius back to the arena, where he stands in the fading light of dusk, clutching the sand and silently calling out to his father to speak to him. The final shot shows a ringed hand — likely Maximus’ — gently grazing the wheat fields.
Does Gladiator II Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Ridley Scott’s filmographyhasn’t been keen on satisfying curious audiences with post-credits scenes — save forPrometheus. Thus, just like the first film,Gladiator IIdoesn’t have a post-credits scene. The end credits play out like any other: on a blank screen.
Speaking of credits, the minute-or-two opening credits are accompanied by wonderful animations that reference the former film. Scott initially didn’t plan to include this, but decided to add it after realizing that a long stretch of black screen might be unsettling for viewers. The director sought the help of Italian animator Gianlugi Toccafondo, who worked on Scott Free vanity card, to keep viewers engaged.
Does Gladiator II Have a Director’s Cut?
In typical Ridley Scott fashion, aGladiator IIdirector’s cut exists. And it runs at a hefty three hours and forty minutes, as opposed to the two-and-half-hour theatrical version. However, don’t bank on its release. Scott has stated that he would rather focus onGladiator III. And since the director has also stated that the films released in theaters are his true vision, there is every reason to believe that nothing significant is missing from the theatrical version.
