Gold

Movie review by Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media
Gold Movie Poster

Common Sense says

age 15+

Disturbing images and clear message in Efron survival drama.

R 2022 97 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 2 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

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.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Gold is a dystopian Western-ish survival drama starring Zac Efron as an unnamed man who discovers and claims a large gold rock in the desolate wilderness. The slippery slope of easy money is put into perspective in the most memorable way: Stuck in the desert under a relentless sun, the man's face becomes increasingly blistered until it's essentially falling off. It's brutal to watch the man enduring animal attacks and a ferocious dust storm. There are bloody wounds, gruesome images, and a dying animal being hit with a rock to put it out of its misery. Just as stomach-churning is what happens to human nature in the throes of greed. Dialogue is limited, but what is said is peppered with profanity ("pr--k," "f--k"). A supporting character smokes throughout the movie.

Community Reviews

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

A man (Zac Efron) who's down on his luck discovers a massive GOLD rock off of a desolate roadway. While he waits for his partner (Anthony Hayes) to return with equipment, he must fend off potential claimants, as well as the brutal elements of nature.

Is It Any Good?

Efron's dystopian fable is something of a treasure: Its message is delivered with such visual impact that you'll never be able to scrub it from your memory. While his character tries to protect a patch of gold in the desert, he's slowly destroyed by the unforgiving environment, his body barely mobile, his mind turning to dust. It's hard to watch and impossible to forget.

Efron's "Man One" is made relatable by keeping his past and his thoughts out of viewers' reach: We don't know what he's been through, just that he and the world are experiencing turbulent times, and becoming rich seems like a godsend. As he navigates the dry, arid elements, the movie's long silences let viewers wonder what they might do if they were in his shoes. Writer-director and co-star Hayes uses gorgeous cinematography as a reminder that Mother Nature may be beautiful, but she will protect herself. Efron puts it all out there, and those who prefer to think of him as Troy from High School Musical should skip this one. The actor is making it clear, though, that he's more than a pretty face -- and after seeing Gold, you'll never look at his face the same way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Gold's violence. Do the disturbing images serve a purpose, and, if so, does that make a difference in their impact?

  • How does Gold put you in the shoes of the main character, understanding his financial desperation and empathizing with how he got into this position?

  • What is a fable, and what purpose does it serve? How is this story similar to myths/stories like the one about King Midas or "The Flies and the Honey Pot"? At times, we all face temptation: Do you think you'll remember the moral of this film?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

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