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Edge of Darkness (R, 2010)

common sense media says

Violent, convoluted conspiracy thriller isn't for families.

parents & educators say
  • 100% say violence is an issue
  • 100% say language is an issue
See all 12 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Edge of Darkness is an extremely convoluted cop/conspiracy thriller that's very heavy on violence, with a large pile of bloody corpses, plenty of guns, shootouts, fights, chases, and crashes. Characters use harsh language, with plenty of "f--k" and "s--t." Despite a strong performance by star Mel Gibson, the movie has a sour, hopeless tone. Characters who do the right thing are brutally punished, and Gibson's character -- the ostensible hero -- acts recklessly and violently. The film eventually sinks to a revenge finale with no positive lessons to take away.

Positive messages: Nothing is learned, no good comes of anyone's actions, and things like bravery and trust eventually fall by the wayside. The main character quickly learns that he can't even trust the police in his own department. Breaking the rules seems to be his only answer; recklessness and revenge seem to be the ultimate motivators.
Positive role models: The main character only begins to make headway on his case when he acts increasingly reckless; he tells people he has nothing to lose and doesn't care. His efforts come to nothing more than a bloodbath and revenge -- he doesn't learn anything or change. His daughter, who tries to right a terrible wrong in the world, pays the ultimate price, and nothing comes of her efforts.
Violence: A young woman is blasted across a front porch with a shotgun, creating several holes in her torso and a lot of blood (it soaks through a white rug). Viewers see several more dead bodies, complete with bloody, gory wounds, and disturbing photographs of still more dead bodies. (The hero is personally responsible for at least three.) Additionally there's lots of guns and gunfire, car crashes, and one knife attack.
Sex: The hero and his adult daughter have a very brief conversation about the possibility of her being pregnant (and whether she has a boyfriend). The hero accuses another man of wanting to have sex with his daughter.
Language: Multiple uses of "f--k" and "s--t" in all their various forms, plus at least one use of "hell," "piss," "asshole," and "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation).
Consumerism: The hero types on a Sony VAIO laptop, and his daughter arrives on Amtrak. Crown Royal Whisky is mentioned once and shown later.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The main character no longer drinks, but he keeps a bottle of whisky, which he pours for a visitor. Later, viewers see the same visitor drinking wine. In another scene, an upset young man sits down with a six-pack of beer and begins drinking vigorously.
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More on Edge of Darkness

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about what the movie is saying about revenge. Does it solve problems in the end? Do you think it's worth what the characters go through?

  • Was the movie's violence gruesome or shocking? Is the main character desensitized to violence? How does watching this much violence make you feel?
  • Families can talk about "whistleblowing." Emma tries to report a big corporation's dangerous and illegal deeds to the authorities. How realistic is it that a person's life would be in danger in this situation? How much would you risk to do the right thing?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Emma Craven (Bojana Novakovic), who works as an intern at a security research compound, comes home to Boston for a visit with her beloved dad, police detective Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson). But before they even get settled, Emma is shot and killed on Thomas' front porch. The police think Thomas was the target, but his own investigation leads in a different direction. He learns that Emma was about to blow the whistle on her company -- but why? And how can one cop stand up against an entire web of corruption that includes a corporate CEO (Danny Huston), a U.S. senator (Damian Young), and a mysterious secret agent called Jedburgh (Ray Winstone)?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Talented genre director Martin Campbell (The Mask of Zorro, Casino Royale) steps up in EDGE OF DARKNESS to adapt a BBC miniseries he worked on in 1985; unfortunately, the result feels condensed and convoluted, with too many cheap shortcuts to tie things together. It's a combination of the absurd -- as it deals with cartoonish villains with cartoonish plans -- and grim, as it follows the murder of the hero's daughter and several other gruesome, violent deaths.

The thrills are few and far between, and the rest of the movie consists of complex but not particularly clever dialogue. Winstone's character is used to fill in the blanks, but the movie is never sure if he's a mysterious, all-knowing outsider or just another link in the chain. Gibson (with a Boston accent) is very good in the lead role, and his scenes with Winstone make for some of the movie's most enjoyable moments. But as the character spins more and more out of control, the movie seems to go with him.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Danny Huston, Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 117 minutes
Theatrical release: January 29, 2010
DVD release: May 11, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong bloody violence and language
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This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 100% say violence is an issue
  • 100% say language is an issue
  • 43% say there are positive role models
  • 43% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 29% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

acary
adult
17
 
Great movie for adults, not a good movie for kids!!!
Not for kids 17 or younger. A very good adult movie. Mel Gibson does a great job and I was interested all the way till the very end. Strong language, violent, and has both postive and negative messages.
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MovieMan26
adult
16
 
Grim thriller too violent and intense for kids
This is a very violent, very dark, yet well-made thriller. My only problem with it as it didn't seem epic enough for Mel Gibson's comeback. Parents: This is a very violent and dark movie with shocking, sudden acts of very bloody violence. This is no happy tale. There's also language. Bottom Line: In the end, you don't really feel satisfied, or that happy, but you may be able to think back and appreciate some really well shot scenes. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man
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Movie-dude
teen, 16 years old
16
 
This was a terrific movie. There are about 42 F words and many other cuss words in the movie. This is not for children at all, no way. It is only for adults who like Mel Gibson or the story behind it.
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Augustyne17
adult
17
 
I enjoyed the movie, It was very suspenseful but there were some concerns, the language is adult potty language and the message isn't really positive because they show her die in the opening scene. Her father is a good role model becaue it shows you that, a father will do anything for his daughter, but it also shows you physical violence is okay when in truth it's not. This movie should only be viewed by 17 and up. Anyone under shouldn't really be watching it, but overall its an okay/good movie.
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bluedude2211
teen, 14 years old
12
 
kinda slow but good and suspensful
this was a good movie and mel gibson is a great actor but the movie is a little slow. althou the movie does have some suspensful moments and the ending is great. althou it has some very bloody gunshots that may be too much for a little kid to handle. but mel gibson is a great role model hunting down his daughters killers when they poisend and shot her on his front step right while he was standing there. so its a good movie.
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Peguin
adult
16
 
Good in a "Silkwood" sort of way
I guess it depends on what message you mean when you rate this positive or negative. A law enforcement officer going vigilante to avenge the death of his daughter... not a good message. Standing up for what you believe in, no matter what, even if it seems hopeless that you will win... good message. I was pleased with the ending, but won't give it away. Yes, it was quite violent. But it was good in a "Silkwood" sort of way. If your teen is interested in activism, watch it with them.
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joshua martinez
adult
17
 
not for kids.
edge of darkness is a thriller movie only for adults and parents you need to know that this movie is so disturbing and too much for your kids the violence is so intense that they even show mel gibson daughter emma being shot with a shotgun at close range they even show dead bodies floating in the water in the beginning of the movie and also show disturbing photographs of still more dead bodies and a girl run over by a car with strong force that she is sent flying across the street characters use constant strong language throughout the movie some characters drink wine and a six-pack of beer.
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4Spice
adult
15
 
ok movie
no kids a good one time movie intense violence and strong language 15 and over
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FCD97909
teen, 14 years old
9
 
its slow but anyone can see it
odds are kids wont like it because its really slow theres not alot of action the only problem is theres a little language but its not bad
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neutral15
teen, 17 years old
12
 
anyone under 12 consider watching taken instead
good movie but, too violent for children
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Brandon4News
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Graphic revenge thriller not harmful for teens.
Personally, I didn't think this film was anything too special. That being said, it's well acted and has some good drama.
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HOPZING
adult
17
 
Kids below 17 can't watch the movie.
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