Detective Knight: Independence
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Detective Knight: Independence
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Detective Knight: Independence is the third movie in the Bruce Willis Detective Knight action trilogy. Omitting most of the characters established in the first two films, it seems to be trying to say something about police violence while simultaneously reveling in violence. Characters shot and killed, there's blood and gore, terrible wounds, a woman being held hostage at gunpoint, a bar fight with punching and kicking, and more. Language is extremely strong, with nearly constant use of words including "f--k"/"f---ing," "motherf----r," "s--t," "goddamn," "a--hole," etc. Characters kiss and have sex on more than one occasion, including scratching skin and hands around throats, but nudity is limited to a shirtless man and the suggestion that a woman is showing her breasts to someone. A character uses cocaine, people regularly smoke cigarettes, and there's social drinking in bars and at parties (mostly shots and beers), as well as solo drinking at home.
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What's the Story?
In DETECTIVE KNIGHT: INDEPENDENCE, Knight (Bruce Willis) makes a vain attempt to re-connect with his estranged daughter. Then, after a brutal shootout at a bank in which a cop is killed, EMTs Dezi (Jack Kilmer) and Ally (Willow Shields) arrive on the scene. Knight's partner, Fitz (Lochlyn Munro), urges Dezi to ignore a wounded robber and tend to the bank manager. Because of this, Dezi loses his job. Having always dreamed of being a police officer but unable to pass the tests, Dezi steals a police uniform, badge, and gun and heads out on a vigilante mission of his own on the Fourth of July. Can Knight save the day?
Is It Any Good?
The final chapter of the Detective Knight trilogy, this action/thriller has almost nothing to do with the previous two entries, and, despite some ambitious ideas, it's listless and cursory. Once again directed by Edward Drake, Detective Knight: Independence builds its action around star Willis, who struggles with aphasia and only appears in a few scenes, rarely speaking directly to others in the same shot. The bulk of the movie centers on the Dezi character, an EMT who fancies himself in the same league with the police and is surprised when he's hassled at a local cop bar. He's shown being influenced (brainwashed?) by a radical podcaster, but conversations about police violence and defunding are dropped and left to fade away. All the characters established in the first two movies are gone, and even Knight and Fitz's friendship is ignored. An attempt to pluck at viewers' heartstrings in the final stretch falls flat. There seems to be no reason for Detective Knight: Independence to really exist except as a "Part 3" placeholder.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Detective Knight: Redemption's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What does the movie seem to be saying about the value of the police and the nature of police violence?
What is a vigilante? Are vigilantes ever justified in their actions? Why, or why not?
How are alcohol, smoking, and drugs depicted? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
How do you feel watching Willis knowing about his aphasia, which affects a person's ability to understand or express speech?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 20, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: January 20, 2023
- Cast: Bruce Willis, Jack Kilmer, Willow Shields
- Director: Edward Drake
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: violence, language throughout, brief drug use and sexuality
- Last updated: January 21, 2023
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