Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Terrible, violent revenge thriller; substance use, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Adverse
What's the Story?
In ADVERSE, Ethan (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is a formerly incarcerated felon who works as a ride-share driver while raising his 16-year-old sister, Mia (Kelly Arjen). Mia and her friends have been drawn into a world of hard partying -- i.e., drugs. When Mia's drug debts stack up to the tune of $20K, Ethan must protect her against the crime syndicate that's demanding payment.
Is It Any Good?
Seeing all the familiar faces in the cast is about the only entertaining part of this truly terrible, nonsensical crime drama. Ethan means well: He made some mistakes and is now trying to rebuild his life while, quite honestly, doing a terrible job taking care of Mia. Through his work, he encounters Kaden (Mickey Rourke), the same drug lord/loan shark Mia owes money to. It turns out that Kaden's minions are having some issues with collections. Could that possibly be because 1) loaning tens of thousands to 16-year-olds isn't good business sense, and 2) the collectors have a habit of killing the people who owe them money? It doesn't take much to realize that this is a terrible business model. To make matters even more laughable, the menacing men who intimidate debtors through brutal violence operate out of a ride-share driver's Hyundai. (Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans, rev your engines.)
You've gotta hand it to Rourke, though, who gets in and out of that Hyundai with the panache of Don Corleone. He's actually too believable as an ailing crime boss. He hobbles on a cane with such conviction that you believe Rourke must be in that condition. (He's not, he's just a really good actor.) The other seasoned talent, who likely did all of their work in one day, shine despite the material they're given. Often, solid actors will elevate newcomers, but that's not so with the miscast Kate Katzman as Ethan's neighbor, Chloe. From the moment we meet her, smoking like a child puffing away on a candy stick, she's never believable, not for a moment. Nor is the movie's over-the-top, video game-style violence. Even Charles Bronson would shake his head at this one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of revenge movies. Why do you think that theme speaks to audiences? Do the ends ever justify the means?
Talk about the consequences of subtance abuse. Are drinking and drug use glamorized in Adverse?
What do you think the film is trying to say about making choices?
Two of the stars and the director wrote and produced this independent movie. What challenges do you imagine they faced with a limited budget, and where did you see how they worked around that?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 12, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : March 9, 2021
- Cast : Thomas Ian Nicholas , Mickey Rourke , Kelly Arjen
- Director : Brian A. Metcalf
- Studio : Lionsgate Home Entertainment
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong/bloody violence, language throughout, drug content and brief nudity
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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