Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, drinking in frustrating monster thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Elevation
What's the Story?
In ELEVATION, humanity is being extinguished by a new species of bug-like predators that abruptly emerged from the sewers across the globe. But the creatures are mysteriously unable to go higher than 8000 feet, so survivor communities have sprung up on mountain tops across Colorado. When Will (Anthony Mackie) needs to go below "The Line" to retrieve medically necessary supplies for his chronically ill son, he's joined by his best friend, Katie (Maddie Hasson), and their community's most disliked resident, scientist Nina (Morena Baccarin).
Is It Any Good?
This creature feature doesn't offer anything new, including answers to the questions it asks. Literally. At one point in Elevation, Nina lays out to Will that the mysterious underground monsters' behavior doesn't fit into the traditional predator model, because they're only killing people, not eating them—and other animals are left alone. She doesn't draw a conclusion, just says she has questions. By the time the movie (which marks the third collaboration between producer-actor Mackie and director George Nolfi) ends, more clues have been offered, but there's still no resolution. And after the first round of credits run, a final scene suggests more problems are on the way. Teasing a sequel is standard practice, but to make "the why" a plot point and then leave viewers completely in the dark about why exactly these monsters are running amok is an exercise in frustration. For teens, though, Elevation is a monster movie that's not too scary, and since it has only a smattering of iffy content, parents may be just fine approving it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why AI and tech are often used in sci-fi movies like Elevation as a threat to humanity. Does that seem realistic?
The survivors in the movie live in the beautiful mountains, but they can't leave without risking certain death. What environment would be ideal for you? And do you think you'd come to resent it if you could never leave?
Are the Reapers scary? What's the scariest monster movie you've seen? How does Elevation compare?
Are drinking or swearing normalized or glamorized here? Why, or why not? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
This movie marks a reunion between writer-producer and star Anthony Mackie and director George Nolfi, who've also worked together on The Adjustment Bureau and The Banker. What does this indicate to you about the importance of building relationships for future success?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 8, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : November 26, 2024
- Cast : Anthony Mackie , Morena Baccarin , Maddie Hasson
- Director : George Nolfi
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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