Parents' Guide to

Colossal

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Amazing, quirky sci-fi movie has drinking, language.

Movie R 2017 110 minutes
Colossal Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 15+

Good for adults not kids

The preview makes it look funny which it starts out as, then it gets disturbing and deep. The R rating stands as correct.
age 15+

Just Under the Surface

There are some heavy themes lurking just underneath the surface. The antagonist/protagonist have an abusive relationship and that should be explained carefully. Issues with self esteem and how that motivates and drives the characters also manifest and offer an opportunity to explore those areas. Lots of material to discuss especially with daughters. Yes violence is scary but the psychological impact is much more significant.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (7):

Feeling for all the world like a Charlie Kaufman creation, this sci-fi movie is all over the map; it's constantly surprising, and yet it stays true to an emotional, human struggle. Talented Spanish director Nacho Vigalondo (Timecrimes, V/H/S: Viral) brings his unique vision to this story about both psychological and literal monsters. As Colossal unfolds, its vivid characters struggle with their day-to-day lives, stumble upon the mind-blowing secret of the monster, and then learn the rules.

It's only then that Vigalondo unveils the pain at the center of the movie, wounds created in childhood that adult lives may have been built upon. It's a fully satisfying arc, centered around a truly imaginative setting: Gloria's empty house and Oscar's half-finished bar. Emotions are allowed to run dark, and the performances, especially by Hathaway, Sudeikis, and Tim Blake Nelson, are stronger as a result. 2016's Swiss Army Man, as well as Kaufman concoctions like Being John Malkovich previously ventured into this kind of fresh, bracing territory, and now Colossal joins them.

Movie Details

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