Parents' Guide to

A Perfect Getaway

By James Rocchi, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Paradise-set thriller is stylish, slick, and very violent.

Movie R 2009 97 minutes
A Perfect Getaway Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 5 parent reviews

wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
January 15, 2013
age 16+

Not the greatest...

I was looking forward to this movie when it came out, so I bought it and wish I had rented it first. Although the twist was good, the film was actually really boring. The action starts towards the end but it was also a bit confusing. I love Steve Zahn and I'm used to his funny characters but he was pretty serious in this flick. The violence is heavy - lots of shootings and stabbings with some gore. Sexual content includes mainly discussions but also scenes of partial nudity. Strong language. There is some drug use of pot and one character refuses it, also a scene of meth use (graphic). Not for kids! Okay for ages 16 and up!!

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
TV-14-DLSV Teen Boy
TV-14-DLSV Teen Boy Adult
February 22, 2012
age 14+

Good Movie.

Just fine movie A Perfect Getaway is a just fine movie it's Interesting and has a shocking ending that you dont expect and it's Rated:R I give it 3 out of 5 stars and I Give A Perfect Getaway AGE:14. If you do watch this movie I hope you enjoy it!

This title has:

Great messages
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Milla Jovovich) are enjoying their honeymoon on Kauai, getting ready to hike a gorgeous 11-mile trail. Their only concern? News that couple has been found dead in Honolulu, seemingly murdered by a pair of male-female killers who may have come from Oahu to Kauai ... just like Cliff and Cydney did. As the happy honeymooners run into seemingly friendly Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez) and the more ominous Kale (Chris Hemsworth) and Cleo (Marley Shelton), it becomes clear that any friendly face out in the beautiful middle of nowhere could be the mask of a killer.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (14):

Directed by David Twohy (the man behind cult success Pitch Black), A PERFECT GETAWAY is stylish, slick, and utterly hollow. As a whole, the film doesn't hold up to more than a moment of scrutiny -- but, at the same time, as it's unfolding, you'll probably be too distracted by the gore and tension to care. The film's twist may or may not be a cheat (you'd probably have to go back for a second viewing to determine whether that's the case, and that seems like a fairly cheerless prospect). But while it's playing -- well-shot, well-cut, well-acted -- A Perfect Getaway is a fleeting pleasure for mature audiences who like being scared.

Part of that is the beauty of the Hawaiian setting (although parts of the film were shot in Puerto Rico) -- but another big part is Twohy's clean, simple direction and the caliber of the performers he landed for a fairly modest-seeming thriller. Zahn and Jovovich make their happy newlyweds more interesting than you'd think, and Olyphant and Sanchez keep you on your toes when you have to ask whether they are or aren't the killers. A Perfect Getaway is, ironically, far from perfect -- but it's a nice enough little vacation for your mind.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. Does it have more or less impact than what you've seen in other movies? Why? Does violence have to be bloody to be disturbing?

  • What do you think of movies that make a big deal out of having a "twist" ending? What separates a great twist from a cheap gimmick?

  • What dangers are involved in travel? How can travellers protect themselves?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate