Common Sense Media Review
By Jordan Elizabeth
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Father seeks justice in violent police brutality drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
American Skin
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is a vital and thought-provoking exploration of systemic racism, police brutality, and white supremacy, urging all viewers, especially white people, to engage in important conversations about race and justice. Many reviewers highlight its emotional impact and the necessity of discussing its heavy themes with children to facilitate understanding and awareness of the societal issues presented.
- timely portrayal
- must see
- conversation starter
- engaging education
- impactful truth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 1 kid review
What's the Story?
In AMERICAN SKIN, Lincoln "Linc" Jefferson (Nate Parker) and his son are pulled over by police when Linc is suspected of speeding. Linc's son tries to film the encounter on his cell phone and is shot and killed by a White police officer named Mike Randall (Beau Knapp). When Randall faces no legal repercussions, Linc and his ex-military friends storm the police station, holding everyone hostage and staging a mock trial in pursuit of justice. The event is captured by a young documentary filmmaker who's unaware that this all-too-common incident of "White cop kills Black boy" would result in a raid.
Is It Any Good?
Police brutality is an important topic in American society that's worthy of being depicted with thoughtfulness, nuance, and deep knowledge -- unfortunately, this drama falls short on all three. Star Parker also wrote and directed American Skin, and while the characters are diverse in their identities, their voices reek of his heavy-handed, self-important style. American Skin feels much like a play: one room, a small cast, and many preachy monologues. There's no subtlety in its design, either, with "Blue Lives Matter" and "Back the Blue" flags hanging on the precinct walls.
The arc of American Skin hinges on Randall's ability to empathize with the trauma of being held at gunpoint -- reducing systemic racial justice to an exercise in social-emotional learning. Characters who've been taken hostage unrealistically put aside what must be immense fear in order to go along with the mock trial. And the trial is "justice by force," which goes against Linc's desire for an unbiased outcome. American Skin doesn't do its own topic justice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how American Skin handles the topic of police brutality. Have you seen other movies that address this subject? What did they do similarly? Differently?
Do you think justice is served at the end of American Skin? Why, or why not?
What role does forgiveness play in the film? What about empathy?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 15, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : March 9, 2021
- Cast : Nate Parker , Omari Hardwick , Theo Rossi , Beau Knapp
- Director : Nate Parker
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout and some violence
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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