Geena Davis' Favorite Action Movie Is Unexpectedly Wild In The Best Way | Sorry Not Sorry
The 2026 Netflix series The Boroughs is set in a fairly ordinary retirement community. The series follows recently widowed Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), who moves into the facility after his wife's death. He soon discovers that something strange is happening around him and joins a group of residents, which includes Renee Joyce (Geena Davis), to figure out exactly what is going on.
While promoting the series, JustWatch asked Davis to pick a movie she thinks her character would love. And she had a very specific answer. "Well, I can speak for myself, and then I'll pretend it's Renee's favorite movie too," the actor said about the retired music manager. "It's an action movie from India called RRR. It has the best action scenes ever."
That answer is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, Davis has plenty of experience with action movies herself. She starred in The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), so she isn't exactly someone who would be impressed by a few explosions and a car chase. Second, the 2022 Telugu-language RRR is about as far away from a conventional Hollywood action movie as you can get.
Geena Davis' Favorite Action Movie Makes Sense For Renee (Sort Of)
Directed by S.S. Rajamouli, RRR is a fictional story about two revolutionaries, Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.) and Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan), who meet in 1920s India and become close friends without initially realizing that they are working toward very different goals. The story begins with Bheem traveling to Delhi after a young tribal girl is taken from her family by British officials.
Raju, meanwhile, is a police officer working for the British while secretly pursuing his own reasons for being there. The two men meet under unusual circumstances, and neither realizes that the other is the person he is supposed to be fighting. The movie mixes its fictional historical story with huge action sequences, featuring motorcycles, horses, explosions, and over-the-top fight scenes.
Davis calling it the best action movie ever is obviously a matter of personal taste. But it is easy to see why she picked it for her character. After a career in entertainment, Renee is living in a community where she has to deal with more than the usual problems that come with retirement. If she were going to pick an action movie, it makes sense that she would choose one that refuses to do things halfway.
Indian Cinema Is Becoming More Popular With Western Audiences
Davis' choice also reflects how much easier it has become for Western audiences to discover Indian movies. For years, Indian cinema had a large international audience, but many American viewers were still mostly familiar with a small number of Bollywood stars and movies. Streaming has made that much less of a barrier. And RRR is probably one of the clearest examples.
The movie was originally released in 2022 and became a major international success, particularly after Netflix helped introduce it to a much wider English-speaking audience. It also received a lot of attention during awards season. "Naatu Naatu," from composer M.M. Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
There's also a growing interest in Indian movies beyond action films. Romantic dramas, family stories, thrillers and comedies have all found new audiences through streaming. So while RRR may be one of the few movies that have taken home an Oscar, it doesn't have to be the last. (In Renee's case, though, she would probably be perfectly happy sticking with the explosions.)
Why To Watch 'RRR' (And What To Watch After)
If Davis' recommendation has convinced you to watch RRR, the biggest thing to know beforehand is that the movie is not trying to be realistic. It's a historical action fantasy (emphasis on fantasy) about two real revolutionary figures, and it takes plenty of liberties with their lives. But it's the combination of action, romance, and melodrama that makes RRR an interesting viewing choice.
If you want something with a more realistic vibe after RRR, 2003's Kal Ho Naa Ho is the way to go. Set in New York City, the story follows Naina Catherine Kapur (Preity Zinta), who is unhappy with her life and struggling with problems at home. Everything changes when Aman (Shah Rukh Khan) moves into her neighborhood and starts pushing her to enjoy life again.
The movie eventually becomes much more emotional than its bright New York setting and comedy-heavy first half suggest. Aman has a secret that changes everything, and the story becomes increasingly focused on love, friendship, and sacrifice. It is also one of those movies where the music is honestly just as memorable as the plot.
