Parents' Guide to Cold Copy

Movie R 2024 96 minutes
Cold Copy Movie Poster: Tracee Ellis Ross and Bel Powley on a black poster, with an overlay suggesting redacted content

Common Sense Media Review

Monique Jones By Monique Jones , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Journalism drama is entertaining but mature; language.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

COLD COPY follows Mia (Bel Powley) a student who wants to impress the nation's hardest-hitting journalist, Diane (Tracee Ellis Ross) and earn a spot on Diane's TV show. To do that, Mia goes to extreme lengths, including lying and deceiving, to get Diane's attention. At the center of Mia's story is Igor, a boy (Jacob Tremblay) whose famous author mother died by suicide. Mia's decision to tell Igor's story also leads her to addressing her own trauma from her mother's death.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This is an entertaining drama/thriller, if not without its flaws. The cliche of the cutthroat, unethical journalist is a little tired at this point, though you could argue that it could be used to address the current state of real-world journalism tactics and techniques. But some of Cold Copy's plot threads, while compelling, don't feel fully resolved, such as Diane's stunted storyline with her ex-husband or a proper resolution between Mia and her former friend (Nesta Cooper). Still, in the end Cold Copy is a fun vehicle for Ross to showcase her talent as a dramatic actress.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about ethics. Are ethics important in journalism? How does Cold Copy address that topic?

  • How would you describe Mia? Is she a good friend? A role model? Why, or why not?

  • How would you rate Diane as a teacher and journalist? Is she a role model?

  • Did you notice diverse representations in the film? Why is that important?

  • What commentary is the film making about journalism in the United States?

Movie Details

  • In theaters : January 26, 2024
  • On DVD or streaming : January 26, 2024
  • Cast : Tracee Ellis Ross , Bel Powley , Jacob Tremblay
  • Director : Roxine Helberg
  • Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
  • Studio : Vertical Entertainment
  • Genre : Drama
  • Run time : 96 minutes
  • MPAA rating : R
  • MPAA explanation : language and some nudity
  • Last updated : January 25, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

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Cold Copy Movie Poster: Tracee Ellis Ross and Bel Powley on a black poster, with an overlay suggesting redacted content

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