The Founder

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
The Founder Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Gripping film about burger entrepreneur has strong language.

PG-13 2017 115 minutes
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 21 reviews

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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 The Founder tells the fascinating history of how fast-food chain McDonald's began -- and became a global brand. Expect many intense conversations/confrontations among stakeholders; some of them end up in loud, menacing arguments. There's some swearing (including a use of "f--k," plus "s--t," "hell," and more) and social drinking by adults. A man and woman who are each married to others flirt with each other, and he eventually seduces her off screen. While main character Ray Krock (Michael Keaton) certainly isn't warm and fuzzy, he does show that determination, perseverance, and hard work can pay off.

Community Reviews

Eric-C.
Eric-C. Adult
August 3, 2022
age 11+

I don’t see it this way but for some people this film could be considered a ad for McDonald’s. there’s some swearing but not excessive amounts, it is intersting as a kid I’ve always wondered how McDonald’s went from a single store to a global empire this movie shows exactly that we see the struggles, the successes and enough burgers do leave you dying for a Big Mac by the time the credits role, there’s also some great messages about how you can use systems to innovate and the importance of careful contract negotiations and even though Ray Kroc was greedy at times and treated The McDonald’s Brothers like shit and the film mainly focuses on the story of betrayal it’s also a story of persistence and a story of a guy who has a vision and stops and nothing to make it a reality

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much consumerism
Jennifer H.
Jennifer H. Adult
March 2, 2019
age 13+

Warts and all portrait of the founding of McDonald's--could be interesting for a mature tween

This was a very good film and there is no sex or violence, but definitely watch this with your child--there are several important issues that arise that bear discussion afterwards. Ray Kroc lives out the American dream and is admirable in his vision and persistence, but he drinks a lot, breaks his word and contracts, and leaves his wife on the road to "success". Unfortunately, Ray Kroc is not a great role model, but he is successful in realizing his dream. You could talk to your kids about whether or not success is worth losing your integrity and also discuss what he could have possibly done differently to be both successful and maintain his integrity.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE FOUNDER, there's nothing under the sun that Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) hasn't tried to sell. An Illinois salesman who's constantly on the road, Kroc has tried peddling all sorts of products -- but it's while he's selling milkshake machines that he stumbles upon McDonald's, a successful, freestanding eatery in California. Owned by two brothers (John Carroll Lynch and Nick Offerman), the restaurant offers a pared-down menu of burgers and fries and has distilled the food-prep process to the exact minute, the exact steps. Immediately, Kroc is enamored, and he becomes bent on selling McDonald brothers (and others) on franchising the concept throughout the country. But Kroc and the McDonalds have little in common except for their love for the restaurant: The brothers want to keep things small, pure, and manageable, while Kroc, though a believer in quality control, wants to preach the gospel of fast food, enormous profits, and world domination. In other words? This is not a love story. Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson, and Linda Cardellini co-star as Kroc's wife, a franchiser, and an unexpected muse.

Is It Any Good?

Tense, entertaining, and nostalgic yet decidedly modern, this drama is a feast of filmmaking. The Founder pairs brilliant acting with great storytelling to create a movie that, despite its long run time, moves like an energetic athlete. In short, it's a delight. But it's also frightening in a way, offering a study in how vision can build kingdoms -- but also destroy others' dreams and lives, as well as, in some touching ways, the visionary himself. Still, if there's one character Keaton can portray with might, it's a driven, passionate, bombastic, and sometimes-terrifying man like Kroc. He's admirable but also alienating, a character very relevant for these modern times.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Ray is depicted in The Founder. Is he meant to be sympathetic or off-putting? Are his personality traits assets or liabilities?

  • How does Ray demonstrate perseverance? Why is that an important character strength?

  • Is it possible to tell the story of a well-known brand/company without seeming to promote it? Is The Founder successful at this?

  • How would you describe McDonald's role/place in American society? How has that role changed over the years? What challenges has the company faced?

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