Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Drugs at center of sci-fi superpower sequel; guns, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Code 8: Part II
What's the Story?
In CODE 8 PART II, Connor (Robbie Amell) is released from prison, intending to live a life on the straight and narrow -- one that's far away from his former friends who control Lincoln City's Psyke drug trade. But when he encounters a powered teen (Sirena Gulamgaus) who's on the run after witnessing her brother's murder, Connor realizes that he may need to ask his enemy -- cartel chief Garrett (Stephen Amell) -- to be his friend once again. Garrett, meanwhile, is making drug production more ethical, paying the powered who supply the fluid that provides the high and creating medical centers where they can donate.
Is It Any Good?
It's an improvement on the original, but while this sci-fi crime thriller is more entertaining than the first movie, it's not more powerful. In fact, super powers are the icing on the cake here, not the spongy substance -- and the original film's premise, which positioned powered people as a metaphor for people of color, is essentially abandoned. Instead, this is a story about a power struggle.
Code 8: Part II isn't an overly thinky story about dirty cops versus drug dealers. But it does suggest that drugs are fine; it's the laws that are creating the problem. For families who watch, that could spark conversations about the mobs and violence that arose during Prohibition, the cartels and gangs that can be associated with modern drug rings, and how, in all eras -- including futuristic Lincoln City -- crime never pays.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Code 8: Part II depicts drug production and use. Do you think the filmmakers have a point of view on drug use? Is drug use normalized? Why does that matter?
How do characters demonstrate integrity and compassion? Why are these important character traits? Do you consider Connor a role model? Why, or why not?
Discuss Tarak's decision to steal money to help his sister and Garrett's declaration that his narcotics ring is helping his community. Is there ever a reason that justifies committing a crime?
How is the police force portrayed here? How does that portrayal compare to those in other futuristic/action films you've seen? Do you think Hollywood's negative depictions of cops influences society? If so, how?
Did you notice positive diverse representation in the film? Why is that important?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 28, 2024
- Cast : Robbie Amell , Stephen Amell , Sirena Gulamgaus , Alex Mallari Jr.
- Director : Jeff Chan
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Superheroes , Robots
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Humility , Integrity
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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