Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent spy actioner full of blood, weapons, swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Alarum
What's the Story?
A helicopter crashes in Slovakia near the resort where newlywed—and newly retired—spies Joe (Scott Eastwood) and Laura Travers (Willa Fitzgerald) are honeymooning. They quickly realize that a dangerous operation is afoot and work to secure the scene and retrieve a flash drive that multiple intelligence agencies are after. The feds assume that the couple has joined ALARUM, an independent international spy ring, and send in Joe's former partner, Chester (Sylvester Stallone), to terminate them and bring back the drive.
Is It Any Good?
Director Michael Polish skips some of the stops in this dot-to-dot screenplay, creating a scribble of something that looks vaguely familiar: Mr. and Mrs. Smith, to be specific. The premise is pretty good: Two spies abandon their positions, feeling like they'll never be left alone or will be killed if they quit, and try to resume life with new identities. But that notion is quickly abandoned as a mission finds them and transforms into a kill-or-be-killed scenario. Also abandoned? Tying up the plot's many loose ends.
What the group known as Alarum actually does is left in the dark, as is much of the film's resolution. Some of it appears to be open ended to leave room for a sequel (please, no), but some of it is just sloppy filmmaking. For instance, Laura's mission is to protect an important businessman. She tells him that killers are coming for him and leaves him with instructions on how to shank someone. Does he survive? Who knows? He's never seen again. But to be fair, answering that question is the least of this actioner's problems.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Alarum's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How does Alarum compare to other movies about spies that you've seen? Why are secret agents such ripe material for entertainment?
How would you describe the movie's message? Is there any positive takeaway here?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 17, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : January 17, 2025
- Cast : Scott Eastwood , Willa Fitzgerald , Sylvester Stallone , Mike Colter
- Director : Michael Polish
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, and language
- Last updated : January 24, 2025
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