What To Watch This Weekend: 'Warfare,' 'G20,' And 'The Last of Us'

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Thrillers dominate the new releases this weekend, featuring war heroes, a fearless U.S. President and survivors of a virus outbreak.

Craving an intense depiction of war? Set in the Iraq War, “Warfare” places viewers at the focal point of combat, starring D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter and Cosmo Jarvis.

If you are in the mood for a political action thriller, look no further than “G20” in which Viola Davis plays POTUS Danielle Sutton who attends a G20 summit waiting for a disaster to happen.

Finally, the much-awaited second season of the HBO hit series “The Last of Us” premieres on April 13. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reprise their iconic roles of survivalists Joel Miller and Ellie Williams, respectively.

Check out what we thought of the three new releases below.

Movies And Shows Out This Weekend

“Warfare”

D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis; directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza

Alex Garland, director of 2012’s well-acclaimed “Civil War,” collaborates with first-time director Ray Mendoza to retell Mendoza’s gut-wrenching personal story during his tour-of-duty stint in the Iraq War. Particularly, “Warfare” is a depiction of a real incident involving Navy’s SEAL Team 5 on a 2006 surveillance mission in Ramadi, Iraq.

At first, the operation is seemingly plain and simple, mundane and unexciting as the American troop sets up the reconnaissance in a small family’s apartment. Moments later, however, all that calmness begins to fade away as chaos erupts at the sound of heavy gunfire and artillery. At this juncture, it is a matter of life and death for these young men in the throes of uncertainty. Can they possibly survive the surprising attack?

“Warfare” paints a cinematic canvas with long, extended takes, rendering a palpable air of realism as thousands of rounds are being fired constantly from all directions. Devoid of camera gimmicks, the movie is certainly not a typical Hollywood war film. Simply, what emerges is a continuous, unrelenting attack, replete with heavy atmospherics. Gripping and visceral to the core, “Warfare” does not sugarcoat the narrative at hand. War is hellish, and the perils are real — and audiences are bound to feel all the anguish, pain and suffering.

“G20”

Viola Davis, Anthony Anderson; directed by Patricia Riggen

In Patricia Riggen's action thriller film “G20,” Viola Davis plays POTUS and army veteran Danielle Sutton, who travels to South Africa for a G20 summit, joined by her husband, First Gentleman Derek (Anthony Anderson), along with their teenage daughter Serena (Marsai Martin) and their skittish son Demitrious (Christopher Farrar).

The heavily fortified hotel in Cape Town, where the summit takes place, brims with elan and excitement as the dignitaries arrive. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to everyone, mercenaries led by Corporal Rutledge (Antony Starr), have already infiltrated the place, all set to send tremors of fear and panic around the globe.

Soon, they hijack the event, seizing control of the hotel. As they attempt to take world leaders hostage, Sutton and Secret Service Agent Ruiz (Ramón Rodríguez) manage to evade the mercenaries, along with British Prime Minister Oliver Everett (Douglas Hodge), International Monetary Fund Chief Elena Monero (Sabrina Impacciatore), and South Korean First Lady Han Minh-Seo (Mee Wha Alana Lee). Can Sutton save the day in the end?

“G20” conjures up images of “White House Down” and “Air Force One.” Like its predecessors, the movie beams bright with remarkable production pieces and well-choreographed fights, replete with a piercing score that augments tension, suspense and thrills.

Davis owns the movie. The EGOT (Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar, Tony) winner shines with a commanding presence that truly exudes the confidence and fierceness of a bona fide action star.

In all, “G20” is formulaic yet entertaining.

(“G20 is now available on Prime.)

“The Last of Us” Season 2

Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey; created and written by Neil Drukmann

Get excited, “The Last of Us” fans! The HBO dystopian sci-fi hit series returns for the long-awaited second season.

Many will recall that the series is set in a post-apocalyptic America, where most of the world’s population has been decimated by a virus outbreak. The first season introduced Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) as a survivalist tasked to protect Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey), a young woman who was immune to the worldwide disease. She could possibly be holding the key to a cure.

Picking up five years after the events of the first season, the saga continues with the two protagonists set in a collision course against each other. Tragedy strikes!

(“The Last of Us” Season 2 premieres April 13 on Max.)