Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clichéd thriller mixes cop story, supernatural elements.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Exposed
What's the Story?
Detective Scott Galban (Keanu Reeves), a depressed New York City cop still mourning the death of his wife, investigates his partner's murder. In the process, he learns of his partner's criminal doings -- and the police department's fear of what a thorough search may expose. This includes run-ins with Dominican drug dealers, who might be connected to the murder. Meanwhile, the movie's subplot follows a young Dominican teacher (Ana de Armas) as she encounters a supernatural albino man walking in the middle of the air near the subway tracks. Ultimately, the two stories merge.
Is It Any Good?
Heavy with unexplained symbolism, ghosts, angels, and other ethereal entities, this isn't quite as much of a mess as you might expect from a movie that the director disavowed. (Declan Dale is a pseudonym for Gee Malik Linton, who took his name off the movie.) The two competing plots -- the police investigation and the seemingly unconnected story about the Dominican teacher -- merge convincingly enough at the end. The real trouble here is that clichés and seen-it-before plotting follow the separate threads all the way through. A good Law & Order episode would outshine EXPOSED in both quality and originality.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why a police officer sworn to stop criminals might become one himself. What do movies about corrupt cops tend to have in common? What, if anything, do they teach us?
What purpose does the violence serve in Exposed? Do you think it's all necessary to tell the story? What's the impact of violent media on kids?
Do you think old memories can be awakened by new experiences?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 22, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : March 29, 2016
- Cast : Keanu Reeves , Ana de Armas , Mira Sorvino
- Director : Declan Dale
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence including a sexual assault, and for language
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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