Ava (2020)

Ava is the kind of slick, bruised thriller that works less because of its plot mechanics and more because Jessica Chastain makes you believe every hard choice and every moment of doubt behind the killer’s poise. The movie’s real hook is its human pulse: when it slows down, it finds unexpectedly dynamic, sharply acted family tension—especially in the scenes with Ava’s mother—that gives the violence a sting instead of just a thud. It’s entertaining in that late-night, keep-it-moving way, with a solid noir-ish vibe and enough charisma to carry you through the rougher edges. If you need airtight writing or next-level action choreography, you may feel the seams, but if you want a star-driven crime thriller with attitude and some genuine emotional bite, it’s an easy watch to recommend.

Ava wants to be a slick, character-driven assassin thriller that mixes hit-job tension with messy family baggage, and you can see the ambition in the setup and the cast. The problem is the script feels like a patchwork of familiar beats, so even the “dangerously wrong” premise rarely surprises, and the action is shot in a way that often lands flat instead of sharp or exhilarating. The family-drama side aims for emotional weight but can come off like melodrama glued onto a standard revenge-on-the-run plot. If you’re craving inventive set pieces or a fresh take on the genre, this will likely feel forgettable, but if you just want a serviceable, mid-budget thriller to half-watch for performances and mood, it might do the job.