Gone
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fascinating main character saves kidnapping thriller.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Gone
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
14 and up.
Report this review
Appropriate for 13 and above...maybe even 12...
Report this review
What's the Story?
Several months before GONE begins, Jill (Amanda Seyfried) survived a kidnapping. She now lives with her sister in Portland, works as a waitress in an all-night cafe, and constantly looks over her shoulder. When she arrives home one morning, her sister is missing, and Jill becomes convinced that the kidnapper has returned. Unfortunately, given her history of mental illness and a lack of evidence, the police don't believe her. But Jill knows that she has roughly one day to save her sister's life, so she does everything in her power, including avoiding the police and conning just about everyone in town, to pull off her next-to-impossible task.
Is It Any Good?
Gone is a most unusual thriller. It's not particularly focused on the killer's identity, and though it does drop in a red herring, the actual reveal means nothing. Likewise, the heroine is rarely in physical danger. Rather, the main theme here is the "girl who cried wolf" story, in which the girl is tough, capable, and cunning. It's fun watching Seyfried bluffing and conning her way through scene after scene; no opponent can best her.
When viewers realize that the bad guy here isn't necessarily the killer, but rather the cops, the movie begins to take shape. The police are the ones who have labeled and cornered Jill, using underhanded tactics and slimy behavior. Her telephone conversation with the killer is the first honest, civil one she has in the movie. Overall, Gone is an odd but appealing combination of flat and subtle, sturdy and loony.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's violence. What's scarier -- the stuff you see, or what you don't? What's the impact of both types of scares?
Jill is tough, capable, and cunning, but she also lies and isn't above hurting people. Can people be role models despite serious flaws?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 24, 2012
- On DVD or streaming: May 29, 2012
- Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Carpenter, Wes Bentley
- Director: Heitor Dhalia
- Studio: Summit Entertainment
- Genre: Thriller
- Run time: 94 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: violence and terror, some sexual material, brief language and drug references
- Last updated: April 4, 2023
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.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
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