Tools for this page
Print

Constantine

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Visuals and attitude -- not for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
  • Violence:

    Intense and graphic violence and disturbing images, suicides.
  • Sex:

    Some sexual references.
  • Language:

    Some strong language.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Character has lung cancer from constant smoking, drinking.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Constantine was written by Nell Minow

Parents need to know that this movie has extensive, intense, and graphic peril and violence, disturbing images, and suicides. Characters are injured and killed. There is some strong language, though less than in many R-rated movies. Characters drink, and a character is a chain smoker and is dying of lung cancer. Some viewers may be concerned about the portrayal of theological concepts, clergy members, angels, and demons.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about their own notions of heaven and hell and free will. What matters most to John? To Angela? To Midnite?
Did this review help you decide?

Are you going to see it?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on Constantine

What’s the Story?

John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) has an unusual ability: He is able to see demons that have crossed their plane into ours. Demons that take over human bodies and exert control. At one time overhwhelmed by his ability, Constantine had tried to kill himself. As punishment for that crime, Constantine is tasked with tracking down demons that cross into our plane and returning them to their own. When police detective Angela Dodson's (Rachel Weisz) sister kills herself in a mental ward, Angela's investigation leads her to Constantine. Together they must work to save earth from evil.

Is It Any Good?

Take a 1930's movie detective, a guy who shoots straight and talks tough. You know, the kind of guy who may have a soft spot for a dame in a jam but that doesn't necessarily mean he believes what she tells him. The kind of who always seems to be walking down a rain-soaked street on a moonless night, smoking a cigarette. Put him in today's Los Angeles. So he has lung cancer from all that smoking and a bit of a punk-ish edge. And this detective has been to hell and back -- literally.

CONSTANTINE is all about the visuals and the attitude, and both are cool and striking, reflecting its comic book origins and music video sensibilities. Highlights include a battle with a rock star-like demon (played by real-life rock star Gavin Rossdale) in a sleek corporate boardroom, a sort of elevator to hell through immersion in water, and swarming CGI creatures and insects. The film plays with some fundamental philosophical and theological puzzles, but the concepts and the language are all sizzle, no steak. That's more that can be said for the relationship between Reeves and Weisz. He achieves a nicely cool vibe somewhere between zen and exhaustion, but that never connects with Weisz's earnestness and sense of loss.

Movie Details

Studio: Warner Bros., Director: Francis Lawrence
Run time: 117 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/17/2005, DVD release: 7/19/2005
MPAA Rating: R for violence and demonic images

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

What did you think about Constantine?

or

to post a review

See 13 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    Kids ages: 11
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Constantine

    Great film. Keanu Reeves was perfect for this movie and played his part nicely.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off and give it 3.0

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Delaware
    I rate this title on and give it 4.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title off and give it .0

    Nauseating

    Everything about this movie is terrible. I don't know what I was thinking or expecting from Keaneu Reeves. The guy can't hold his on as a supporting actor, much less as the leading man. Don't waste your money and don't let your kids watch it. You can find something better to spend you money on, like treating the family to snail races. And you shouldn't expose your kids to such filth as Mr. Reeves attempts to act.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title iffy and give it 4.0

    Wow, they carded me... O.o;

    Wow, they carded me before seeing this movie. They carded me! >D Erm, anyway, what to say? Lots of violence. Lots of Biblical truth. Lots of demonology. It helps to understand the "mythology" before going into the theater. I'm not sure why they rated it "R." I think the majority of people going into the theater were hoping for a horror flick, and it's not. It's really heavy. Especially when the Lance of Longinus (AKA "Spear of Destiny") is involved. Is it common knowledge that Hitler was rumored to have it? Not sure, but they mentioned it as if everyone knew about it. They didn't even explain the Lance. And why Gabriel was a manly woman? Angels have no gender, people. The thing is, if you wanna see this movie, study either the Bible or a book on angels and demons or something. This movie is not for those clueless on the nature of religion.

More Great Stuff for Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    Percy Jackson Fever

    Percy Jackson Fever

    Read the book before you see the movie!

  • Advice for Parents

    Facebook for Parents

    Facebook for Parents

    Get info and facts to keep your kids safe and smart on Facebook.

  • Must-See TV

    Parenthood

    Parenthood

    Quality drama charts the pros, cons of family togetherness.

  • Pick of the Week

    Sites for Haiti

    Sites for Haiti

    Help kids get involved.

  • Game of the Week

    Simplz: Zoo

    Simplz: Zoo

    Family-friendly puzzler mixes in a bit of zoo simulation.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name