Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones , based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 14+
Spy flick has violent action, standard storyline.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
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Violence & Scariness
a lot
Descriptions of violence and torture, including domestic violence. Scenes showing domestic violence, torture, murder, gunfights, explosions, and car crashes. Scenes with body horror (fingernail pulling) and romanticizing a violent lifestyle.
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Language
a lot
Language includes "s--t," "s--tty," "a--hole," "ass," "d--k," "jackass," and "f--k." Exclamatory use of "Chrissakes," "Jesus Christ," "oh my God." Ableist language ("morons").
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
Lloyd mentions finding every person that Six has ever slept with.
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Products & Purchases
very little
Bubblicious chewing gum, Skittles.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
Scenes during a rowdy New Year's Eve party that includes drinking.
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Positive Messages
a little
Very violent, but courage and perseverance are shown as key elements to staying true to yourself and helping others in need. Integrity is presented as a positive defining attribute of a person, even those who might be unsavory.
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Positive Role Models
a little
Six is a killer, but he has an empathetic background and seeks to save those in need, showing integrity. Six also perseveres to save a young girl and shows courage even when his life is on the line.
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Diverse Representations
a little
Characters of color (played by Alfre Woodard, Regé-Jean Page, Jessica Henwick, Ana de Armas, and Danush) have influential but not particularly substantial roles. Portrayal of women leaves something to be desired. Dani, Suzanne, and Margaret come across as strong women on the surface, but Dani and Margaret have relatively inconsequential roles, and Margaret sacrifices herself for a male character. Suzanne is portrayed as incompetent at her job and is often undermined and disrespected by her male peers.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Gray Man is a secret agent action-thriller movie starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans as men who get caught up in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game. There's lots of violence and references to violence. Scenes include torture, body horror, gun violence, explosions, and domestic violence. While characters demonstrate perseverance, courage, and integrity, the movie could also be seen as romanticizing a violent lifestyle. Characters use strong language ("f--k," "s--t," and more). To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
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The Gray Man
- Parents say (10)
- Kids say (15)
age 13+
Based on 10 parent reviews
MyMovieOpinions Adult
July 24, 2022
age 15+
The Russo Brothers Continue Delivering Schlock Since Avengers
$200 million for a 3 out of 5 rated film that drew only $249,462 at the box office before streaming. Yeah, I think the Russo brothers once again blow smoke up our **** trying to deliver another non-superhero blockbuster. The Gray Man is formula film on steroids, complete with unrealistic action without the need of computer-generated everything, dialogue that is no where near real world interactive speech and Chris Evans who looks like Hitler during his barbershop quartet days. I can count on my watch the minutes left before Disney sends over the acquisition papers to Netflix. You will watch The Gray Man when you have watched all others available and you're tired of watching reruns.
giosmom Parent
July 23, 2022
age 13+
At the brink of PG-13
Lots of slightly creepy and gory things. If you've watched "the Fast and Furious" than you may be able to handle this but it's very intense and may be at the brink of PG-13
Rate movie
See all 10 parent reviews
What's the Story?
THE GRAY MAN tells a cat-and-mouse story involving Six (Ryan Gosling), a man hired to become a secret agent for the U.S. government who's later thought to be a liability. In order to neutralize him, Denny Carmichael (Regé-Jean Page), the leader of a secretive organization within the CIA, hires rogue contract killer Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans) to take Six out, putting Six's friend and mentor Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton) and sickly niece Claire (Julia Butters) at risk.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (15):
The Gray Man is more a series of great parts than an enthralling whole. It features solid performances by Gosling and Thornton, but the true gem of the movie is Evans, who transforms from Marvel's wholesome Captain America into a sad*stic, gleeful, disturbingly charismatic villain. His performance will make you want to see him cast as villains more often, since his good guy looks and charm provide another layer of sinister to evil characters.
The film is a bit of a letdown in terms of racial and gender diversity. On paper, The Gray Man has both characters of color and strong women in potentially substantial roles. But while Page and Alfre Woodard are the standouts in this regard, that has more to do with their personal charisma than with what's written on the page. And even though Ana de Armas plays an agent in the field like Six, her character, Dani, is less defined than his -- and quite bland. Similarly, Jessica Henwick doesn't have much to work with as Suzanne, a CIA agent working under Denny who's constantly belittled by both him and Lloyd. Overall, The Gray Man is a standard-issue spy film that goes in circles with regard to characters' motivations. If you like seeing cars crash and people fight, then this film is for you (as long as you can hang in there for its two-hour-plus run time), but those looking for an engaging story are more likely to find satisfaction in individual performances.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how violence is portrayed in the film. Is it glorified? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How did Six's past affect his present? Is he an empathetic character, despite his actions and choices?
How does Six show perseverance and courage? Why are those important character strengths?
How are women portrayed in the film? Are the portrayals helpful, or harmful?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 15, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: July 22, 2022
- Cast: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Billy Bob Thornton, Regé-Jean Page
- Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
- Inclusion Information: Indigenous actors, Black actors
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Character Strengths: Courage, Integrity, Perseverance
- Run time: 122 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: intense sequences of strong violence, and strong language
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
The Gray Man
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