This movie feels like two separate films combined into one, and my feelings about them differ considerably: Widows centers on a group of women who decide to carry out a robbery after the men in their lives die owing money to a dangerous gangster-turned-politician, Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry). The husbands were attempting to steal from him when they were killed in an explosion. Now, with the debt unpaid and the funds lost, Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis) finds her husband’s robbery plans and convinces the other women to use them to pay off the debt – and potentially make a profit. The acting is strong across the board, especially from Viola Davis and Elizabeth Debicki as two of the widows. Cynthia Erivo also stands out as a babysitter brought into the plan, alongside Michelle Rodriguez, and Daniel Kaluuya delivers a chilling performance as a menacing henchman who doesn’t need to resort to shouting to be frightening. Robert Duvall's appearance is brief but memorable. The cinematography by Sean Bobbitt is noteworthy, particularly a scene showing Colin Farrell’s political candidate driving from a dilapidated area of the city to his affluent neighborhood, highlighting the stark contrast between the communities he hopes to represent. Initially, it’s engaging to watch these women, who had no prior involvement in their husbands' criminal activities, prepare for the heist. However, roughly halfway through, an unexpected plot development changes everything. As mentioned in the title, this is where the film I enjoyed ended and another one began – a movie I didn’t like nearly as much. This twist feels unnecessary, and from that point onward, the quality declines. The women, previously portrayed as inexperienced robbers, suddenly operate with remarkable precision. Further plot twists are introduced, including the identity of their target, and the fate of Rawlings' son is revealed in an awkward scene. The final action sequences feel generic, and the resolution of the earlier twist feels forced. The ending itself felt abrupt and unsatisfying. I can’t say I dislike this film entirely, but it represents a significant missed opportunity. Had they continued with the tone and style of the first half, I would have rated it much higher. As it is, I'm giving it a 6 out of 10.

Source on TMDB