Ava

Ava is a film that defies expectations, and that is both its greatest strength and its most significant weakness. Jessica Chastain, as usual, is compelling, delivering a nuanced performance that anchors the film. She portrays Ava with a blend of cold precision and underlying vulnerability, making her character both formidable and relatable. The supporting cast, including John Malkovich, Common, and Geena Davis, is well-chosen and brings depth to the film’s many dramatic moments.

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The movie combines multiple genres—action, drama, thriller, and even elements of dark comedy—which unfortunately leads to a loss of focus. The blend of family drama, espionage, and personal redemption makes the film feel scattered, preventing it from fully engaging the audience.

Visually, Ava is a mixed bag. The action sequences are plentiful but often suffer from the overused handheld, quick-cut style that can be disorienting. Despite this, there are moments of brilliance, such as a brutal close-quarters fight near the end that stands out for its intensity and dark humour. However, it’s the non-action scenes that truly shine. The interactions between Ava and her estranged family members, particularly her ill mother (Geena Davis) and her sister (Jess Weixler), are charged with emotion and provide a stark contrast to the cold, calculated world of espionage.
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Ava’s backstory as a recovering alcoholic and former delinquent adds layers to her character but is somewhat underdeveloped in the context of the film’s broader narrative. The subplot involving her former lover, Michael (Common), and the unresolved tension between them hints at a deeper story that is never fully explored. These personal elements make Ava a more relatable and sympathetic character but also contribute to the film’s unfocused feel.

The movie starts strong, establishing Ava as a talented but troubled assassin whose habit of pushing her targets to confess their sins before killing them marks her as a liability. This moral streak sets her apart but also puts her in danger, creating tension as she navigates her complex relationship with her mentor Duke (John Malkovich) and the ruthless Simon (Colin Farrell).
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Ava never fully commits to its spy-world plot, instead lingering on the more intimate and personal moments that define its characters. This focus on character-driven drama is where the film excels, yet it may disappoint those expecting a straightforward action thriller. The scenes between Ava and her mother are particularly powerful, with Geena Davis delivering a standout performance that adds emotional weight to the film.