Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Beware the Gonzo
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
High school reporter exposes bully in teen comedy with edge.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Eddie "Gonzo" Gilman (Ezra Miller) wants to be both the Woodward and Bernstein of Parker Prep, but Gavin Reilly (Jesse McCartney), the popular editor at the student paper, has no interest in that kind of investigative journalism. So when Reilly fires him, Gonzo and his fellow misfits start their own underground publication. Their mission: reveal the seamy underside of their high school and hopefully expose Reilly as the nasty bully he is.
Is It Any Good?
It's not totally clear whether the movie's title refers to the hero or his eponymous publication, but both of them do a great job of stirring up trouble and exposing hypocrisy. The film is a little bit over the top in portraying a clique of athletes who dominate the school's nerds and misfits with the tacit approval of the principal, but it's plenty of fun to watch Reilly and his pals get their long-overdue comeuppance, and it's just as entertaining to see Gonzo and the rest of the unseen students of Parker Prep get a chance in the spotlight.
Campbell Scott and Amy Sedaris have small roles as Gonzo's parents, who vacillate between support for his rebellious endeavor and concern when his actions may threaten his college prospects. And Zoe Kravitz stands out in a much meatier role as Gonzo's romantic interest who has her own reasons for taking down Reilly. Pitting nerds against popular kids isn't especially original, but the film is entertaining enough.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Gonzo's decision to start a newspaper. What were his motivations? Is it ever OK to use any kind of media to reveal others' secrets?
How does the movie portray bullying? How does physical bullying compare to cyberbullying?
Are the movie's characters relatable? Teens: Do they remind you of anyone at your school? Do you and your friends deal with similar situations? Does the movie have realistic consequences for the characters' behavior?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 9, 2011
- On DVD or streaming: January 24, 2012
- Cast: Ezra Miller , Jesse McCartney , Zoe Kravitz
- Director: Bryan Goluboff
- Inclusion Information: Non-Binary actors, Queer actors, Black actors
- Studio: Tribeca Productions
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 99 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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