Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bleak crime drama has sexual violence, language, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
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Bad Lieutenant
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BAD LIEUTENANT, a corrupt New York cop (Harvey Keitel) descends deeper into a life of depravity and self-destruction as he investigates the rape of a nun. Spending his days drinking, taking drugs, gambling, and abusing his power, he moves toward a reckoning and potential redemption when he's forced to come face-to-face with his sins and his faith.
Is It Any Good?
The title of this gritty, disturbing crime drama doesn't even begin to describe just how depraved and detestable the central character really is. Keitel gives a bold and risky performance as the titular Bad Lieutenant, who's addicted to drugs and gambling, neglects his family, assaults women, and abuses his power at every turn. He's completely detached from the world, and his existence holds no moral fiber, despite a gradual resurfacing of his Catholic faith. Everywhere around him, the world is painted as violent and self-serving, and the sheer darkness makes this a difficult watch at times. There's very little light seeping through the cracks, and very little to like about Keitel's character, let alone the New York he inhabits. As fellow cops join him in talking about sports and placing bets at the scenes of gory homicides, we see just how little empathy there is for others. It's sold as a story of redemption, but don't expect a satisfying moment of self-realization. This is a bleak character study, and a portrayal of a pocket of society as lost to darkness as the lieutenant himself.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the central character in Bad Lieutenant. How is he portrayed? Does he have any likable or redeeming features? How does it feel to watch a movie where it's difficult to root for the main character?
Discuss the film's violence. Was it shocking? Thrilling? Both? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Are drinking, smoking, or drug use glamorized here? Are there realistic consequences for their use? Why does that matter?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What does it contribute? Is a certain kind of language expected in a film like this?
How are women portrayed in the movie? Are they given much of a voice? Why is it important to be aware of the way women, and other groups that are often sidelined, get portrayed on-screen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 20, 1992
- On DVD or streaming : November 10, 1998
- Cast : Harvey Keitel , Victor Argo , Paul Calderon
- Director : Abel Ferrara
- Studio : Aries Films
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual violence, strong sexual situations & dialogue, graphic drug use
- Last updated : July 6, 2026
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