Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cheesy spectacle isn't just bad but also violent and racy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Gods of Egypt
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say the movie offers a mix of entertainment with some strong points, such as good action sequences and a compelling plot, despite the criticism it has received. However, many reviews point out the film's violence, racy content, and lack of depth, leading some viewers to find it boring or poorly executed while others appreciate its charm and visuals.
- mixed opinions
- violence noted
- racy content
- some enjoy it
- lacks depth
- action sequences
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Set in ancient Egypt, GODS OF EGYPT begins on the day that Osiris (Bryan Brown) is about to crown his son, Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), Lord of the Air, the next king. At the coronation ceremony, Osiris' bitter, jealous brother, Set (Gerard Butler), arrives to kill Osiris, defeat and exile Horus (by taking his all-seeing eyes), and take the throne for himself. Meanwhile, a mortal couple -- young thief Bek (Brenton Thwaites) and his devout love, Zaya (Courtney Eaton) -- mess with the gods by conspiring to steal Horus' eyes from Set's vault. Although Bek successfully retrieves one eye, Zaya's employer, Urshu (Rufus Sewell), Set's royal architect, kills her for her treason. Grief-stricken Bek takes Zaya's body to Horus, where he strikes a bargain: Horus' eye for a promise to revive Zaya. Together the mortal and the god embark on an unlikely journey to defeat the maniacal Set before he destroys all of creation.
Is It Any Good?
Starring a white-washed cast phoning in their performances, this cheesy, unimpressive action fantasy is so bad it's only good for watching as a guilty pleasure once it's on television. Director Alex Proyas publicly apologized for not making more diverse casting decisions, but he might as well have apologized for the film itself. Butler's Set is an uninteresting, ruthless Big Bad Villain with no nuance; by now audiences must wonder whether the actor is capable of anything but these terrible swords-and-sandals adventures. And although Game of Thrones star Coster-Waldau is obviously quite comfortable holding a sword and dealing with missing body parts, he looks as bored as the audience.
Bek and Zaya are the only likable characters; meanwhile, poor Chadwick Boseman will have to rely on the goodwill of his portrayals in 42 and Get On Up to erase the memory of his terribly affected God of Wisdom, Thoth. Overlong and featuring bland effects, Gods of Egypt is the kind of film that feels twice as long as its runtime and will cause many moviegoers to constantly look at their watches in hopes that the climactic battle between Horus and Set will come soon so the credits will roll.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why movies set in ancient civilizations are popular. How does Gods of Egypt compare to other films about ancient mythologies?
What role does violence play in the story? Do you think the amount of violence is appropriate for younger teens? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Do you think filmmakers have a responsibility to make casting decisions based on the heritage of the source material? Why is diversity in filmmaking important?
How are sex and drinking portrayed in the movie? Do the characters have healthy relationships with each other? Are there consequences for substance use?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 26, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : May 31, 2016
- Cast : Gerard Butler , Rufus Sewell , Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- Director : Alex Proyas
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 127 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : fantasy violence and action, and some sexuality
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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