Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong violence, language in unsatisfying thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Chokehold
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In CHOKEHOLD, Yalin (Kivanç Tatlitug) makes a deal that allows him to go home free after his Ponzi scheme stole millions from innocent people. But returning to his hometown, where many people were duped by him, turns out to be more dangerous than he initially thought. He has a wife and his money to protect. Will his neighbors and fellow townsfolk let him off the hook?
Is It Any Good?
The purpose of this film is confusingly unclear. The main issue in Chokehold is that sympathy for the main character never happens, nor does it seem like it should. On screen nearly the entire run time, Yalin is decidedly a "bad guy" who ruined many innocent people's lives by stealing their money and got away with it because he ratted on his partners in crime. Then, one by one, various townspeople try to hurt and/or kill him, and he fights back, killing each one. Who cares? Is the viewer supposed to be rooting for him, or rooting for his demise? Is the viewer supposed to care whether he lives or gets punished? Is the viewer supposed to care about his wife, who seems to simply love him unconditionally? (She also seems incredibly naive in not anticipating or recognizing the danger that would inevitably threaten them the moment they returned home.) Indeed, her character seems to merely be present to complain that Yalin might be lying to her, voice concern that he is gone too long, and to have sex with him.
The ending is inexplicably confusing as well, as Yalin seems to easily get away with multiple murders, including the murder of someone incredibly close to him. So is the lesson that there is no lesson? Or that evil and criminality win? Is the viewer supposed to be sad, or happy? None of these questions are answered, nor is it clear who this film might be for or who it might satisfy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in dramas. Do you think the violence in Chokehold is justified? Why, or why not?
Why do you think Beyza appears at the very end of the film?
Why does Yalin do what he does at the end of the movie? Did you find this believable? Why, or why not?
Why do you think Yalin doesn't end up going to Lesbos?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 21, 2023
- Cast : Hakan Gunday , Funda Eryigit , Gürgen Öz , Kerem Arslanoglu
- Director : Onur Saylak
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 9, 2023
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