Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful, personal, violent story of war and its aftermath.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
American Sniper
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Based on 40 kid reviews
Kids say this is a powerful war film that tackles themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of war, though it features extreme violence and strong language that may not be suitable for younger viewers. Many reviews highlight specific graphic scenes, including a particularly disturbing drill scene involving a child, emphasizing that the movie is intended for mature audiences, ideally 16 and older.
- graphic violence
- strong language
- mature themes
- parental discretion
- intense drama
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As a child, Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) was told that people are either sheep, wolves, or sheepdogs. He chooses to be a sheepdog and signs up to become a Navy SEAL. He meets and marries Taya (Sienna Miller), and after the 9/11 attacks, he's sent to Iraq. His mission is to protect his fellow SEALs, but his skill with a rifle is so awesome that he eventually breaks the record for the most confirmed kills in military history. Chris goes on to become a legend in Iraq and keeps signing up for more tours of duty, much to the despair of Taya and their children. When Chris finally decides to come home for good, he finds he can't get the war out of his head -- until he discovers that helping other veterans and victims of PTSD brings him solace.
Is It Any Good?
Clint Eastwood directs this fact-based story adapted from Chris Kyle's own memoir, and he gives it his usual strong touch -- uncluttered, confident, and without showing off. It's no surprise that the war footage is so brutally affecting, and it's no surprise that Cooper's performance is so striking. For the role, he bulks up and totally immerses himself into Chris; he's practically unrecognizable.
But what's so surprising about AMERICAN SNIPER is how subtly balanced it is. Chris' politics are firmly established. He believes that the war in Iraq is just and that he's protecting his country. But, as he did in the misunderstood J. Edgar (2011), Eastwood brilliantly inserts the character into a less black-and-white world in which there are no certainties. Chris is allowed to be totally human and sympathetic, regardless of his beliefs. Kathryn Bigelow's great The Hurt Locker covered similar territory, but American Sniper is different enough to be worthwhile.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about American Sniper's violence. How intense is it? How does it help to tell this particular story? Is it necessary?
Is Chris Kyle a role model? What are the arguments both for and against? Talk about the movie's idea of whether people are "sheep, wolves, or sheepdogs" -- what does that mean?
Why are movies about war appealing or interesting?
The movie is based on a true story. Do you think the filmmakers changed any facts? Why might they do that? How can you find out what's been altered?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : May 19, 2015
- Cast : Bradley Cooper , Sienna Miller , Jake McDorman
- Director : Clint Eastwood
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 134 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong and disturbing war violence, and language throughout including some sexual references
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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