Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Likable video game comedy has guns, explosive action.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Free Guy
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 71 parent reviews
Parents say this film is a mixed bag with many enjoying its humor and positive themes, but numerous complaints arise regarding its strong language and adult content. While some families found it suitable for older children, others felt the movie included excessive vulgarity and suggestive humor that made it inappropriate for younger audiences.
- humor and themes
- strong language
- not kid-friendly
- mixed family reception
- adult content
- suggestive humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 190 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a fun and action-packed adventure that showcases positive messages about being true to oneself, with Ryan Reynolds delivering a standout performance. However, many reviewers caution about its heavy language and mature jokes, suggesting it may not be suitable for younger audiences despite its entertaining plot and humor.
- positive messages
- action-packed
- heavy language
- not for young kids
- fun adventure
- great performance
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In FREE GUY, Guy (Ryan Reynolds) is an NPC (non-player character) in a video game called Free City. He loves his life: He wakes up, says "good morning" to his goldfish, buys a coffee, and goes to work at the (frequently robbed) bank with his best pal, Buddy (Lil Rel Howery), and does it all again the next day. He doesn't know he's an NPC, but he still dreams of meeting someone special. Then, one day, he sees her: Molotov Girl (Jodie Comer). To spend more time with her, Guy steals a pair of glasses for himself and starts "leveling up," doing good deeds rather than perpetrating acts of violence. In the real world, Guy's acts become internet famous, prompting crooked game developer Antoine (Taika Waititi) to try to shut him -- and the game -- down. But Keys (Joe Keery), who developed a game that Antoine stole, thinks there's something more to Guy's behavior.
Is It Any Good?
A tad formulaic and not quite as edgy as it might have been, Shawn Levy's video game comedy still gets by on an unwavering cheerfulness, unvarnished likability, and a steady stream of solid giggles. Reynolds is the real selling point of Free Guy. He avoids a repeat of his snarky, look-at-me Deadpool humor and nails a new kind of sweet naivete that's not unlike that of Will Ferrell in Elf or Jim Carrey in The Truman Show. Comer is also quite wonderful: Molotov Girl/Millie is a fully fleshed-out female co-lead rather than simply a romantic sidekick. They make a fantastic pair.
The movie's visual effects and production design effectively capture the specific feel of a Grand Theft Auto-like video game (albeit PG-13 rated), which is something most movies have so far failed to achieve. But bits and pieces do feel borrowed from many, many other movies. And Levy's careful, streamlined flow prevents Free Guy from ever becoming hugely outrageous, zany, or gut-bustingly funny. Perhaps all that wasn't necessary, however, to maintain the movie's sweetness. And -- similar to Ted Lasso's -- the movie's overall messages of kindness, nonviolence, and free choice are always refreshing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Free Guy's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What's the difference in the way the blonde "bombshell" character and a character like Molotov Girl are portrayed? How does the movie perceive each in terms of agency?
How does the movie replicate the feel of a video game? How are movies and video games the same? How are they different?
Is Guy a role model? Why are characters who are cheerful and positive-thinking so rare -- and so difficult to pull off?
Would you prefer to play a game like Life Itself, which is about beauty and watching characters grow, or Free City, which is about violence and destruction? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 13, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : October 12, 2021
- Cast : Ryan Reynolds , Jodie Comer , Taika Waititi , Joe Keery
- Director : Shawn Levy
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong fantasy violence throughout, language and crude/suggestive references
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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