Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stylized violence, little blood in fun, twisty spy thriller.
Parents Need to Know
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Where to Watch
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Argylle
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Parents say that the movie presents a mixed bag, receiving both praise and criticism for its plot, overall execution, and content suitability for younger viewers. Some found it entertaining and filled with unexpected twists, while others criticized its violent scenes, quirky execution, and disjointed plot, suggesting that it may not be worth watching in the end.
- entertaining twists
- mixed reviews
- violence concerns
- suitable for teens
- quirky execution
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say the movie features a mix of comedy and action but has polarized opinions, with some viewers appreciating its humor and plot twists, while others found it confusing and poorly executed. There are mixed feelings regarding its appropriateness for children due to elements of violence and a somewhat chaotic storyline, though it offers some funny moments and decent performances.
- mixed reviews
- confusing plot
- fun comedy
- mild violence
- decent performances
- targeted at teens
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As ARGYLLE opens, superspy Argylle (Henry Cavill) is on another exciting mission, tangling with the deadly LaGrange (Dua Lipa) with help from his stalwart colleagues Wyatt (John Cena) and Keira (Ariana DeBose). But it turns out that they're all characters created by Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), a neurotic but successful novelist who spends virtually all of her time alone with her cat, Alfie. On a train to visit her mother, Elly meets Aidan (Sam Rockwell), who at first professes to be a fan but is actually a real-life spy. When an attempt is made on Elly's life, Aidan dispatches an army of attackers and saves her from the train. She learns that she's being hunted by an evil organization called The Division, which is led by director Ritter (Bryan Cranston), because her books have come a little too close to the details of real-life spy operations. As a result, both Aidan and The Division believe that Elly might know something about an important file that's gone missing.
Is It Any Good?
Simultaneously cleverly complex and gleefully shallow, this slick, twisty spy movie borrows bits and pieces from earlier movies but links them together in a surprising and entertaining way. After his three ultraviolent Kingsman movies, director Matthew Vaughn (working from a screenplay by Jason Fuchs) finds a slightly gentler, less gruesome tone with Argylle. Few innocents die here other than minions working for the evil organization. And Vaughn doesn't try for breakneck speed, but rather spends time on characters and downtime, trying to come up with the next move.
For a long movie (139 minutes), Argylle has a nice pace, and it's not exhausting. There's also a striking contrast between the perfect, sculpted "fictional" characters in Elly's books and the more flawed "real-life" characters that feels right. And while it seems to have sprung from the seeds of Romancing the Stone, it's more progressive, giving Elly more to do and to ponder than simply falling in love with the hero. Maybe Argylle isn't about much of anything—even the Kingsman movies tried to tackle subjects like war, drugs, and climate change—but it's an appealing ride that checks all the right boxes and goes well with a bucket of popcorn.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Argylle'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?
What's the appeal of spy movies? How do you suppose movies about spies compare to the world/lives of real-life spies?
Do you consider Elly a role model? How does she change over the course of the movie? Does she face the consequences of her actions?
How does the movie approach male and female body image issues? How do the fictional characters compare with the "real-life" characters?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 2, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : March 5, 2024
- Cast : Henry Cavill , Bryce Dallas Howard , Sam Rockwell
- Director : Matthew Vaughn
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Universal Pictures , Apple TV / Apple Original Films
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 139 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence and action and some strong language
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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