Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful woman at core of stylish, very violent spy story.
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Atomic Blonde
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a highly stylized and entertaining action thriller, though it features intense violence, graphic sexual content, and strong language, leading to mixed opinions about its appropriateness for younger audiences. While some find it empowering due to the portrayal of a strong female lead, others warn of its excessive gore and suggest it may not be suited for those seeking lighthearted fare.
- graphic violence
- strong language
- sexual content
- strong female lead
- mixed suitability
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In ATOMIC BLONDE, bruised MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) meets with her superiors to tell the story of her most recent mission. It's 1989 in Berlin, just before the wall comes down, and a secret agent has been caught and killed. He had a list with the names and sensitive information of every MI6 agent; it has presumably been stolen by the killer. Lorraine is sent to Berlin to meet with David Percival (James McAvoy) and find the list. There are many complications, including the presence of a man called Spyglass (Eddie Marsan) who has memorized the list, as well as a mysterious woman (Sofia Boutella) who seems to be following Lorraine. And perhaps even Percival can't be trusted. There are many fights and chases, but the question remains: Who's the double agent who's been leaking MI6 information?
Is It Any Good?
Theron fights, punches, kicks, and shoots her way through this beautifully choreographed, narratively complex, but slightly sluggish action movie from one of the makers of John Wick. Former stuntman David Leitch produced and co-directed (without credit) that Keanu Reeves film; given that it and Atomic Blonde are the same kind of nonstop, action-based stories, it's hard not to compare them. But when you do, this film comes up a little short. While John Wick was tightly constructed, visually playful, and stripped down to the point of existentialism, Atomic Blonde runs a bit too long, hits some slow patches, and requires quite a bit of work to follow.
Nevertheless, it stands head and shoulders above most shaky-cam action movies with its gorgeous fight footage. A scuffle involving a yellow garden hose is amazing. Another sequence, in which Lorraine must whisk away a wounded Spyglass and defend him from armed attackers, takes place in extremely long takes with combatants working from all kinds of angles, with all kinds of props, getting realistically exhausted as the fight rages on. It's also heartening to see Theron taking punches, collecting bruises, and still getting back up on her feet. She's no Wonder Woman, but she's still pretty awesome.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Atomic Blonde's violence. Do you think it's all necessary to the story? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Is Lorraine a strong female character? Is she a role model? How does she compare to someone like Wonder Woman? Does she show compassion? Courage?
How does the movie depict smoking and drinking? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why is that important?
How does Atomic Blonde compare to other spy movies you've seen? How does Lorraine stack up against other movie secret agents?
What was the significance of the Berlin Wall coming down in 1989?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 28, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : November 14, 2017
- Cast : Charlize Theron , James McAvoy , Sofia Boutella
- Director : David Leitch
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of strong violence, language throughout, and some sexuality/nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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