Disconnect
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Intense, powerful film explores joys and dangers of the Web.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Disconnect
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
The many interconnected lives in this ensemble drama rotate around one powerful force: the Internet. TV reporter Nina (Andrea Riseborough) chances upon an adult website featuring seemingly underage teens and decides it will be her big story. But how will it affect her subject, Kyle (Max Thieriot), who may want out of his pay-for-Web-sex existence but hasn't yet tallied the price? A 15-year-old (Jonah Bobo) thinks he's made a friend online and tweets a fateful photo, one that sinks him into a nightmare that he and his father (Jason Bateman), mother (Hope Davis), and sister can't escape. His tormentor, Jason (Colin Ford), feels trapped, too, most times by his ex-cop father (Frank Grillo), who's hired by a couple (Alexander Skarsgard and Paula Patton) whose identity has been stolen.
Is It Any Good?
Like many ensemble dramas, DISCONNECT can sometimes feel crowded, its plotlines vying for attention. But bear with it, and try not to, well, disconnect. The film is simultaneously bleak and disturbing and thoroughly captivating, offering an incisive look at lives lived online -- sometimes disconsolately, other times dangerously, and even disastrously.
What makes Disconnect work, despite its flaws, is its stunning cast; to a person, everyone brings it. The performances are strong and authentic to the point that it's discomfiting for the audience. It's refreshing to see Bateman take on a role of substance and to have Skarsgaard play against beautiful type. Riseborough is a revelation, and Thieriot and Bobo will break your heart. Even fashion designer Marc Jacobs rises to the occasion in the role of a pimp. The way the stories wend in and out of each other will require some suspension of disbelief, but the characters' loneliness, deep sadness, and yearning for kinship feels altogether real.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role that the Internet plays both in Disconnect and in their lives. Is it mostly positive or negative? Or both?
Talk to your kids about smart online behavior and safety. How can bullying (both online and off) be prevented?
Does the film address the main concerns about the Internet in a realistic and approachable manner? Does it also depict the benefits/upside of the media?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 12, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: September 17, 2013
- Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Hope Davis, Jason Bateman, Paula Patton
- Director: Henry Alex Rubin
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: LD Entertainment
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 115 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: sexual content, some graphic nudity, language, violence and drug use - some involving teens
- Last updated: March 17, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Drama Movies That Tug at the Heartstrings
Courtroom Dramas
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate