Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wes Anderson comedy has smart teens; also nudity, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Asteroid City
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say this movie features beautiful visuals, clever editing, and humor, but it can be confusing and dense for younger viewers. While praised for its intriguing storytelling and superb cast, it includes moments of nudity and darker themes, such as references to suicide, which may not be suitable for all children.
- visuals
- humor
- confusing plot
- dark themes
- character depth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Junior Stargazers and their parents travel to ASTEROID CITY in the 1950s to receive awards in scientific achievement. When an alien encounter leads to a military-enforced quarantine, a variety of families find community -- and themselves -- in their unexpected week-long stay in the desert. The cast includes Bryan Cranston, Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Steve Park, Liev Schreiber, Maya Hawke, Adrien Brody, Matt Dillon, Willem Dafoe, Hope Davis, Rupert Friend, Hong Chau, and Edward Norton.
Is It Any Good?
All of writer-director Wes Anderson's hallmarks are present and accounted for as he takes viewers on a journey of creativity that's unexpected and unusual. But "unique" doesn't always translate to "entertaining." In the case of Asteroid City, your brain may be trying to understand and interpret what's happening so quickly that it could be hard to assess whether it was actually good -- for some, a second viewing may be required.
Teens have frequently sparked to Anderson's movies, perhaps because tweens and teens are frequently the most level-headed characters in his films. Here, there's a whole set of young "brainiacs" who are wise and confident beyond their years, including possessing a high emotional intelligence. But to truly appreciate this endeavor, you need to have an understanding of the 1950s and what was going on then in America at large, as well as in the theater and on screen. Ultimately, it's likely that only teens who identify as students of STEM, drama kids, film nerds, or Wes Fandersons will find Asteroid City out of this world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what was happening in the United States in the 1950s and how the characters, situations, and behaviors shown in Asteroid City reflect that.
What are the trademarks of a Wes Anderson film, and how are they in evidence in Asteroid City? Do you have a "signature style"?
Many of the characters, the TV show, and the play are a tip of the hat to existing people and properties from the mid-20th century. Whom or what do you recognize?
How are smoking and drinking portrayed? Are they glamorized? Are there realistic consequences?
Anderson says, "You're watching an actress play an actress play an actress." How does he manage to keep the characters and the stories straight for viewers? Did you find any of it confusing?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 16, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : August 15, 2023
- Cast : Jason Schwartzman , Scarlett Johansson , Tom Hanks
- Director : Wes Anderson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : brief graphic nudity, smoking and some suggestive material
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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