BlacKkKlansman

Movie review by Michael Ordona, Common Sense Media
BlacKkKlansman Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Lots of language in Lee's fact-based dark comedy.

R 2018 135 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 14+

Based on 23 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 22 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

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.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that director Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman is a sometimes-absurd account of a real-life black cop's (John David Washington's) undercover mission in the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. Expect strong language throughout, as well as mature themes related to racism and terroristic violence -- but the film also portrays courage and cooperation in the face of extreme racial hatred. Though very little violence is actually shown, a particularly sadistic lynching is described in disturbing detail. And the script has lots of swearing ("f--k," "s--t," and many more); a stream of racial, anti-Semitic, and homophobic epithets (the "N" word, "k-ke," "f-g," etc.); and some sexual references. Adults drink socially, and smoking is common. Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, and Topher Grace co-star.

Community Reviews

ophiesay
ophiesay Adult
June 19, 2020
age 14+

great movie... tense, and the very end is tough to watch

This is a wonderful movie that is absurd in its premise (black cop infiltrates the KKK and befriends David Duke) but perfect it the storytelling, acting, pace, etc. 10 out of 10 for movie making. Though written several years ago, the topic seems to be especially relevant today with issues of BLM and police brutality at the forefront of current events. This movie deals with HEAVY topics: racism, white supremacy, anti-Semitism, "good cops", police brutality, activism .... While Spike Lee has made these topics palatable to a general movie going audience, this movie is tense and scary in its cruelty, anger, intolerance and ignorance. Topher Grace (that's 70's show) places a somewhat humorous, milquetoast David Duke.. so there is some light (but always dark) comedy. The storytelling and pace never leave you bored. The characters were cast so brilliantly - especially the white supremicist's wife (that character arc was terrifyingly metaphoric in so many ways). There are a lot of "bad"words - swearing and racist terms. But I never thought they were used gratuitously to shock, they were part of the story or character development. My kids got through it - a lot of discussion/explanations throughout the movie. They really enjoyed it... until the VERY VERY end with scenes from real life (Charlottesville). This real footage abruptly took us out of movie mode and thrust us into the cruel reality of today; it disturbed our kids a lot (but necessary).

This title has:

Great role models
HansonFam
HansonFam Adult
June 16, 2020
age 15+

Important film for families to watch and discuss together

Although the summary states that "very little violence is actually shown," it's important for families to know that the film ends with graphic real footage of racial violence from the 2017 Charlottesville white supremacist rally. No longer framed within the cinematic distance of the period film, this violence and horror were incredibly disturbing to my younger child. It's an important film to see--perhaps now (June 2020) more than ever. But definitely know that the R rating isn't just for language and themes.
See all 23 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In BLACKKKLANSMAN, it's the 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first black police officer in Colorado Springs. He becomes a detective and infiltrates the local Ku Klux Klan chapter by impersonating a white recruit on the phone. Stallworth enlists his white Jewish colleague Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) for the times when his undercover persona must appear at Klan functions and even befriends Klan leader David Duke (Topher Grace). As the deception risks unraveling, Stallworth learns that the beautiful young activist leader he loves (Laura Harrier) could be in danger.

Is It Any Good?

Although it's occasionally weighed down by cinematic choices, this dark comedy is director/co-writer Spike Lee's strongest work in years. While there's some tension around the fact that the jig could be up at any moment, this isn't a thriller. Rather, BlacKkKlansman plays as an absurd comedy with a premise that defies credulity. But the real Stallworth apparently did spy on the Klan by using a telephone persona and apparently did interact with Duke. Thanks to solid performances by an extremely well-chosen cast, the too-bizarre-to-be-true situation feels real. And because the interactions are so crazy, the film's deadpan approach makes them all the funnier.

Lee can't help but lecture at times, with extended public speech sequences and even excerpts of the infamous The Birth of a Nation designed as viewers' lesson for the day. Despite a few of these heavy-handed lapses that break the film's stride, Lee's commentary is perhaps his most effective since Do the Right Thing. The movie includes undisguised links to today's sociopolitical environment, with Duke and others reviving the 1930s-era isolationist/anti-Semitic slogan "America First" (which they did) and promising to "make America great again" via ethnic cleansing. As you'd likely expect from a Lee production, the cinematography and editing are excellent. And Washington and Driver form a solid, heads-down, hardworking team. Driver's Flip has a particularly affecting moment in which he reconnects with the importance of his Jewish heritage. As Duke, Grace is a fool you enjoy laughing at -- until he shows what lies beneath his three-piece-suit veneer in a moment of anger. Given BlacKkKlansman's subject matter and injections of the real-life horrors of racial violence from America's past, it's notable that its touch stays light enough to let its humor shine ... and then a devastating postscript reminds us how real and present this danger remains.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the language in BlacKkKlansman. Did it seem appropriate for the story, the characters, and the time and place? When does frequent strong language get in the way of your viewing experience, and when does it help? How did the stream of racial, anti-Semitic, and homophobic insults make you feel?

  • The film is based on a true story. Did any of it feel too hard to believe? How accurate do you think it is? Why might filmmakers choose to alter the facts in a movie inspired by real-life events?

  • Have racial tensions/relations changed since the 1970s? If so, how? What's different, and what's the same?

  • Do you think filmmakers/artists should be responsible for exploring big social issues in their work, or do you prefer movies and other works of art to be an escape from the real world? Why?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Do the Right Thing Poster Image

    Do the Right Thing

    Spike Lee's masterwork of racial unrest; discuss with kids.

    age 16+
  • Sorry to Bother You Poster Image

    Sorry to Bother You

    Very mature satire is unique, impossible to dismiss.

    age 17+
  • Malcolm X Poster Image

    Malcolm X

    Insightful and well-rounded portrait of Malcolm X.

    age 13+
  • Inside Man Poster Image

    Inside Man

    Smart heist movie is not for children.

    age 17+
  • The Departed Poster Image

    The Departed

    Violent, well-done thriller. Not for kids.

    age 17+

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