Ava (2020) isn't a particularly great film, nor a memorable action picture compared to the John Wick series, but it is an admirable feature that shows why Jessica Chastain is both a great dramatic actress and a worthy action star. In Ava, Chastain stars as an elite assassin who is highly trained but despises her job, which led to her alcoholic addiction. Ava's job also strained an old relationship with a former lover (Common) and her bond with her mother and sister. Chastain effectively displays Ava's state of depression, while also showing off her intense fighting and marksman skills.
While this action thriller may be formulaic due to the familiar storyline, what makes Ava slightly stand out is the way it portrays a female protagonist (rather than a leading man) in a central assassin role (which has only been done a handful of times in films like Atomic Blonde, La Femme Nikita, and the Kill Bill series). Chastain's portrayal of Ava Faulkner is one of strength, rawness, and emotion, and the supporting cast also delivers intriguing characters (despite a clichéd script).
Jessica Chastain Is A Capable Leading Action Star
After starring in thrillers such as The Debt and Zero Dark Thirty, there's no secret that Chastain is a versatile actress who can star in any film genre, especially drama and action. As Ava, she depicts a powerful woman who is tough and skilled when it comes to eliminating her targets, but she also feels sad and regretful because she dislikes her profession. Her character is also reminiscent of Jason Bourne because she has killed men without ever knowing what they've done to deserve death, but always remembers their faces.
Aside from her job as an assassin and her military background, the film also explores some of Ava's personal relationships in her hometown in Boston, particularly with her ex-fiancé Michael (whom she still has feelings for and helps him with his gambling debt), her sister Judy (who questions what Ava does for a living), and her mother Bobbi (whom she visits in the hospital due to illness). Ava never reveals her job as an assassin to any of her loved ones, but there are times when she reveals her true colors, especially when Michael witnesses Ava take down people for whom he owes money.
What makes Ava stand out as a strong female character is her ability to convey raw emotions toward the people she loves and cares about, selflessly putting herself on the front lines in order to ensure their safety. She is also a fighter like John Wick who can get hurt and bruised in physical and bloody fights, but manages to pick herself up and use her defensive skills to win battles. Even when she's emotional and drunk during a shootout and fight scene with Colin Farrell's antagonist named Simon (who's also a highly trained assassin), Ava gives Simon a tough battle and doesn't hold back.
Ava's Action Sequences Convey Her Physical and Firearm Skills
While the action and fighting sequences are a bit choppy and rapidly edited at times, they are entertaining because they showcase Ava's strength and vulnerability. At the beginning of the film, there are international missions in major locations (France and Saudi Arabia) in which she deceives her targets by appearing innocent and dressing up elegantly in order to get their attention.
Particularly in Saudi Arabia, there's a high-octane action sequence where Ava shoots and kills several soldiers, going full John Wick mode by punching men, grabbing their firearms, and using them as human shields to escape capture. It may seem impossible for one woman to take down a small army, but what makes Ava convincing is her training and how calculating she is with every move and weaponry in her possession.
There's also an intense fight in Boston when an attacker tries to kill Ava as she's taking a jog. Even without her guns, Ava overpowers her opponent with a fighting stick, and by hiding in a water fountain in order to surprise him with a stab to the throat. All these action scenes also prove that Ava can take down enemies in open and confined spaces.
The Supporting Cast Appropriately Challenges Ava's Actions
Chastain's performance is front and center here, but the supporting cast also displays characters who (despite a lack of depth) are intriguing in terms of setting the path for Ava's conflicted journey. John Malkovich (who generally plays cool evil villains in features such as Con Air and In The Line Of Fire) is effective here as Duke, a mentor and a father figure who looks out for Ava's safety because he's always cared about her since their military days.
Colin Farrell (the next Penguin in The Batman) has a brief but strong turn as Simon, who is a perfect enemy for Ava because, like her, he was also trained by Duke. What makes Simon particularly villainous is that he wants to eliminate Ava for having a conscience, believing that she isn't fit to be an assassin due to her guilt over killing targets without reason, and is convinced he's better than her.
Common (who played a tough assassin in John Wick: Chapter 2) is more grounded and vulnerable here as Michael, a gambler who is untrustworthy and careless when it comes to money, but is assisted by Ava because she still loves him. Michael also has feelings for Ava but can't be with her again due to his relationship with Judy (who is pregnant). Geena Davis (who has a history of portraying strong female characters, including an assassin in The Long Kiss Goodnight) also has brief screen time but shares a couple of emotional moments with Ava, including a heartfelt conversation about Ava's very flawed father.
Ava is far from an original action thriller, but it is entertaining due to a strong cast, along with some brisk shootouts and fighting sequences. Most of all, Jessica Chastain has proven that she is capable of balancing action and emotional drama in roles such as this one. Perhaps The 355 will be another worthy action vehicle for one of the most talented actresses working in the business today.