Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, stupid, offensive, unfunny "true crime" story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pain & Gain
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say the film features some funny moments, although many viewers found it to be mostly unfunny and criticized its excessive violence and inappropriate content. Despite mixed reviews, some appreciated the performances and found it interesting, highlighting that it might be better suited for adult audiences rather than children.
- funny moments
- excessive violence
- adult audience
- mixed reviews
- performances
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) -- a personal trainer at a Florida gym circa 1995 -- decides to be a "doer" so that he can get all the things he thinks he deserves. His plan is to kidnap a wealthy delicatessen owner (Tony Shalhoub) and get him to sign over his fortune. Daniel enlists the aid of two other weightlifters: ex-con/recovering cocaine addict Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson) and Adrian Doorbal (Anthony Mackie), who suffers from impotence as a result of his steroid use but has a predilection for large women. After some initial success, their plan goes desperately wrong, and all their brain-dead attempts to recover it result in disaster after disaster. The plot is based on a true story.
Is It Any Good?
Michael Bay, best known for his loud, explosive action movies, takes a step back with this relatively cheaper film, concentrating on fewer special effects and more characters. Unfortunately, this is like watching a chef doing the dishes; it's not his strong suit. PAIN & GAIN winds up being one of Bay's stupider and more tasteless efforts, though it's a good deal more tasteless than stupid.
Movies about dumb criminals can be highly entertaining (Fargo, for example), but Bay sends his story spinning wildly over the top. His characters are aggravatingly idiotic, the mood is belligerent, and the pacing is erratic. But worst of all is the humor. Bay may be the least funny director alive, and he insists on using an endless array of cruel, horrible jokes -- about fat people, drug addicts, women in general, and just about everyone else. Only Ed Harris, playing a private detective, provides any dignity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Pain & Gain's violence. How is it depicted? Is it gross? Funny? Does it seem over-the-top or inappropriate?
How does the movie portray women? Are they judged by their body type? Are there any positive female role models here? Stereotypes?
How does the movie view male body image? Is it positive or negative?
Are there any examples of bullying in the movie? Where and how?
What's funny about dumb criminals?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 26, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : August 27, 2013
- Cast : Anthony Mackie , Dwayne The Rock Johnson , Mark Wahlberg
- Director : Michael Bay
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody violence, crude sexual content, nudity, language throughout and drug use
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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