By Bel Hernandez Castillo
I knew I was a fan of Patricia Riggen’s work the moment I saw her directorial debut on the feature film, Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna (2007). It resonated with me deeply—an emotionally charged immigrant story and a heartfelt Mexico/U.S. co-production that helped launch the U.S. careers of Eugenio Derbez (Miracles from Heaven, Instructions Not Included), Kate del Castillo (La Reina del Sur, Weeds), and, of course, Riggen herself. Since then, she’s steadily built a powerful résumé— Miracles from Heaven, The 33, Girl in Progress, proving time and again that she has the vision and talent to thrive in Hollywood. Now, with G20, her first action thriller starring Viola Davis, Riggen steps confidently into blockbuster territory, showing the world that high-octane storytelling belongs squarely on her directing card.
Patricia Riggen has long been celebrated as one of the most versatile and emotionally astute directors working in film and television today. Known for her humanistic storytelling and global perspective, the Mexican-born filmmaker has steadily built a career marked by empathy, authenticity, and bold vision. With the release of G20—a high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled action thriller starring Viola Davis—Riggen stakes her claim in a genre traditionally dominated by male directors, proving once again that she is a creative force to be reckoned with.
As one of the few Latina directors in Hollywood to helm such a large-scale action feature, Riggen’s role behind the camera is more than symbolic—it’s transformative. G20 isn’t just a gripping movie; it’s a cultural milestone. It presents a female president who is both fierce and maternal, and it’s directed by a woman who has carved out space in one of cinema’s most testosterone-driven genres.
“Movies are culture changers,” Riggen said. “I set out to make a hugely entertaining film, but also to deliver a character that would inspire women all over the world to think big.”
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Riggen began her career in journalism and documentary filmmaking before transitioning into narrative storytelling. Her breakout feature, La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon, 2007), earned critical acclaim for its tender portrayal of a young boy’s journey across the U.S.-Mexico border to reunite with his mother. It was a deeply personal film that introduced Riggen’s signature style: heartfelt stories rooted in realism and told from underrepresented perspectives.
She followed that success with Girl in Progress (2012), a coming-of-age tale starring Eva Mendes, and then delivered the powerful Chilean mining drama The 33 (2015), based on the true story of 33 miners trapped underground for 69 days. The film showcased her ability to handle large-scale productions while preserving the intimacy of human emotion, something that would serve her well in the years to come.
Expanding Her Canvas: From Drama to Action
Riggen’s foray into television further broadened her scope. She directed several high-profile episodes of the hit Amazon series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, diving into political intrigue and military tactics with a steady, assured hand. Her work on Hulu’s Dopesick—the critically acclaimed limited series starring Michael Keaton—garnered accolades for its powerful critique of America’s opioid crisis, cementing her status as a director capable of merging entertainment with social commentary.
But G20 marks a new chapter in Riggen’s career: an all-out, edge-of-your-seat action spectacle with a rich geopolitical core and an emotionally grounded heroine at its heart.
In G20, Riggen directs Academy Award winner Davis who plays U.S. President Danielle Sutton—a former combat veteran and mother of two, who finds herself leading a daring counteroffensive when heavily armed mercenaries attack the annual G20 summit in Cape Town, South Africa. As world leaders are taken hostage and the global economy is pushed to the brink through high-tech manipulation, Sutton must rely on her wits, her training, and her grit to restore order and save lives.
Ramón Rodríguez plays Agent Manny Ruiz, a key figure in the efforts to thwart a terrorist takeover at the G20 summit in Cape Town, alongside Davis.
“G20 is the kind of film I’ve always wanted to make,” Riggen said in a recent interview. “A smart, international action thriller with a female lead who is strong, vulnerable, and deeply human. I saw the potential to say something meaningful while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.”
The film, written by Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss and Logan & Noah Miller, balances explosive action set pieces with moments of levity and emotional depth—a duality that Riggen handles with dexterity. Her collaboration with Davis, who also produced the film through her company JuVee Productions alongside husband Julius Tennon, was a creative match made in heaven.
“Patricia is really good at what she does,” Davis remarked. “She’s had a very specific journey as a director that allows her to bring a world perspective. That is absolute gold for an artist.”
Riggen brought her trademark authenticity to G20, grounding even the most high-octane moments in real-world research. She worked closely with military and technical advisors to ensure the depiction of the summit, the tactical operations, and the deep-fake digital threats were all rooted in plausible reality. Her goal was not only to entertain but also to inform and inspire.
In 2024 I interviewed her on the occasion of her receiving the Trailblazer in Directing award from the Mexican American Film & Television Festival & Awards.
Patricia Riggen’s G20 is now streaming globally on Prime Video. With this film, she doesn’t just direct an action movie—she directs a statement. And with her at the helm, it’s loud, clear, and thrilling from start to finish.