With an 80% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes,Gladiatoris a well-loved film andhas many fantastic qualities.

Therefore, the gesture was aimed at the victorious gladiator as an answer to the fate of the fallen.

In Maximus second gladiatorial victory, he defies Commodus thumbs down and spares the fallen gladiators life.

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Therefore,the gesture makes sense inGladiatoras it enables viewers to easily identify Commodus intentions.

Furthermore,the thumbs-down gesture made for a dramatic moment inGladiatoras it showed ultimate disapproval.

Commodus and Maximus deeply dislike each other inGladiatorand their rivalry and plotting drives the film.

Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus doing a thumbs down gesture which is crossed out

Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic

After escaping execution, he is enslaved and becomes a gladiator.

Maximus shouting in the arena in Gladiator

Gladiator follows Maximus, a Roman general betrayed by the new emperor Commodus. After escaping execution, he is enslaved and becomes a gladiator. Set in ancient Rome, the story portrays his struggle for survival and quest for vengeance as he battles for his freedom in the arena.

Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2

Joseph Quinn as an Emperor in Gladiator 2 giving a thumbs down

Headshot Of Russell Crowe

Headshot of Joaquin Phoenix

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Gladiator