Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Crime story from skilled director has strong violence.
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A Walk Among the Tombstones
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say the film is well made and features strong performances, particularly from Liam Neeson, but it is extremely violent and disturbing, dealing with dark themes that are not suitable for younger viewers. Many reviewers found it difficult to fully enjoy due to its graphic content and overall menacing tone, leading to a mixed reception.
- well made
- extreme violence
- dark themes
- strong performances
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Eight years ago, New York cop Matt Scudder (Liam Neeson) was drunk during a robbery and the subsequent chase, and it changed him forever. Now, in the movie's present (which is set in 1999), he operates as an unlicensed private detective. A drug dealer (Dan Stevens) hires him to find the men who kidnapped his wife; even though he paid the ransom, they killed her. Scudder hits the streets and starts looking for clues; a homeless kid, T.J. (Brian "Astro" Bradley), occasionally helps. Before long, Scudder discovers that these kidnappers have a specific M.O. -- targeting victims with ready cash who won't call the cops -- and that it's happened at least once before. Unfortunately, they've struck again, kidnapping a 14-year-old girl, and time is running out.
Is It Any Good?
Screenwriter Scott Frank tells the story with enthusiasm and skill. Frank has made a career of adapting crime novels and thrillers by Elmore Leonard, Philip K. Dick, and James Lee Burke for the screen. He wrote an excellent original thriller and made his directorial debut with The Lookout; A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES, adapted from a Lawrence Block novel, is his follow-up. Like a good crime novelist, Frank doesn't necessarily bring anything new to the genre, but he gives it a fresh presentation.
He captures a fine big-city feel with grungy shops and stairwells, as well as luckier, fancier places. Characters flit in and out of the story with the sense that they have lived lives here. Even the standard "cute kid" character of T.J. is handled like an everyday occurrence. Set in 1999, the story includes references to the paranoia of the Y2K computer "virus." The overall sense of dread and rage is strong, even if the movie is too long to be terribly suspenseful.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about A Walk Among the Tombstones' violence. How much is directed against women? How do these sequences compare with the standard chasing and shooting sequences? How did they all make you feel?
How does Scudder being an alcoholic impact the story? How does it affect his character? Does it make him more sympathetic?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 19, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : January 13, 2015
- Cast : Liam Neeson , Astro , Dan Stevens
- Director : Scott Frank
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, disturbing images, language and brief nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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