Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stylish but far-fetched cop thriller has violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Blue Steel
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BLUE STEEL, rookie New York cop Megan (Jamie Lee Curtis) kills a robber during a convenience store robbery, but doesn't see a witness—commodities broker Eugene (Ron Silver)—steal the man's gun from the scene. Suspended from work for killing what her colleagues believe was an unarmed man, Megan becomes the object of Eugene's affection, but it turns out his fondness for the stolen gun is even stronger.
Is It Any Good?
Directed by Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), this cop drama leans into all the tropes of the typical 1990s psychosexual thriller, while also turning some on their head. There's no doubt the plot of Blue Steel gets increasingly implausible as the minutes tick on, but there's something enjoyable about surrendering and going along for the ride. It's also hard to take your eyes off the screen. Bigelow went on to win two Oscars later in her career, and her stylish visuals stand out here too. Curtis's Megan is pretty well fleshed out, and a strong, likable character that's easy to root for—albeit another of the "woman pursued by a monster" roles that characterized her early career. There was plenty to fuel the character's determined vengeance without the requisite rape storyline, but the scene thankfully isn't made a strong focus here. It leans toward the ridiculous in places, and not all of the acting is as watchable as Curtis's. But the collaboration between the two Hollywood A-Listers and the feminist undertones they weave in make this an underrated addition to the genre.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the character of Megan in Blue Steel. Why is it important to see women in job roles stereotypically played on-screen by men? What instances of sexism did Megan come up against during the film? Why representation matters in kids' media.
Discuss the film's violence. Did it feel excessive or just right for the tone of the movie? What were the effects of violence on the characters? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Megan showed courage and perseverance during the movie. How did these traits help her to succeed? Why are they important character strengths in real life too?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this?
How were sex and relationships portrayed? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 16, 1990
- On DVD or streaming : December 3, 2002
- Cast : Jamie Lee Curtis , Ron Silver , Clancy Brown
- Director : Kathryn Bigelow
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : MGM
- Genre : Thriller
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 11, 2025
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