Common Sense Media Review
By Common Sense Media
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A dark, philosophical sci-fi drama for older teens.
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Blade Runner
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 24 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is a thought-provoking sci-fi classic, lauded for its engaging story and groundbreaking visuals, but it features intense violence, graphic scenes, and mature themes that may be inappropriate for younger audiences. While some appreciate its depth and complex narrative, others criticize its slow pacing and suggest that it’s better suited for older teens rather than children.
- thought-provoking
- intense violence
- mature themes
- slow pacing
- for older teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 59 kid reviews
Kids say that this film is a visually stunning, thought-provoking classic that delves into complex themes of humanity and morality, but it may be challenging for younger viewers due to its dark content and mature themes. Many appreciate the slow pace and depth of the story, but warn about its graphic violence and brief nudity, suggesting that it's best suited for mature teens and adults.
- thought-provoking
- graphic violence
- brief nudity
- visually stunning
- slow pace
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
BLADE RUNNER is set in dystopian Los Angeles, circa 2019. Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former Blade Runner, is recalled from retirement to exterminate a gang of rogue replicants (a type of human android). Replicants were invented to perform slave labor on off-world colonies. Law forbids them to live on Earth. Despite their artificial intelligent makeup, a glitch has allowed them to develop human emotions and a lust for life. The longer they live, the more powerful their emotions. Unofficial replicant leader Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) leads a pack of them to Earth to find and convince their maker, Tyrell (Joe Turkel), to invent a way to extend their five-year lifespan. As they become more desperate to find Tyrell, they grow weaker. Grappling with an intense love for model replicant Rachael (Sean Young) but bound by his duty to uphold the law, Deckard must rethink his views on what it means to be human, as he hunts down and kills his android nemeses.
Is It Any Good?
Based on the short story Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by legendary sci-fi author Philip K. Dick, this is a deeply philosophical yet violent picture. While it may come across as an action/adventure science fiction film, the movie is, in actuality, very slow-paced and visually dense. Constant tension, sad music, bloody visuals, and menacing sound effects add to the dystopian mood. When it premiered in 1982, Blade Runner bombed at the box office. Critics decried its unnecessary voice-over and inconsistent Hollywood ending. Audiences were alienated by its lengthy pace. As rumors circulated of studio interference, a cult following emerged seeking director Ridley Scott's original ending. The director's cut confirmed their suspicions in 1993 when the film was rereleased, this time without its original voice-over and cheesy finale. After well-deserved acclaim, Blade Runner is now considered one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.
Families considering viewing this film should avoid the first-released version like the plague; instead go with Ridley Scott's original vision. In 2007 Warner Bros. released a 25th anniversary digitally remastered by Scott "Final Cut" version that played in theaters and is available on DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Children in their mid-teens with a strong interest in the science fiction genre are more likely to enjoy this film. However, it is not appropriate for teens under age 15.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ethics of replicating humans. Replicants look and behave exactly like humans, but should they be treated as such?
How does Blade Runner's bleak urban vision of the future differ from that in other dystopian books and movies?
What do you think about the violence in Blade Runner? Is it effective? Artful? Over the top?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 25, 1982
- On DVD or streaming : March 24, 1997
- Cast : Daryl Hannah , Harrison Ford , Sean Young
- Director : Ridley Scott
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Robots
- Run time : 117 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and brief nudity
- Last updated : January 1, 2026
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