Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Medieval drama features sexual violence, strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Harvest
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
HARVEST takes place over the course of a week in a nameless, small medieval English village on the cusp of sweeping changes that will deeply affect its inhabitants and landscape. When powerful landowner Master Kent (Harry Melling) is a victim of an arson attack, outsiders are blamed. Tensions escalate further when a mapmaker, nicknamed Quill (Arinzé Kene), is tasked with charting the local area, which would see many locals put out of work. But is the real threat closer to home?
Is It Any Good?
This British drama is a feverish, historical parable for the modern world, with some very interesting ideas that are sadly presented in just too messy a fashion. Harvest's director Athina Rachel Tsangari should be commended for having such a singular vision—this is by no means your regular cinematic experience—but it falls short in one vital area: it's simply not very compelling. The sprawling narrative doesn't allow the film to thrive in the way that it could. The atmosphere is indelible; gritty, grimy, and visceral, with the constant chatter of the village locals pulling the viewer into the chaotic and immersive ambiance. But unfortunately the central character Walter lacks any real presence, and as good an actor as Caleb Landry Jones is, the less said about his accent here the better. So while the film touches on some interesting themes about "outsiders," they needed to be better executed. The result feels like a fever dream, which are rarely enjoyable experiences.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Harvest reflected modern issues like greed, xenophobia, and environmental destruction. What parallels did you see between the film's medieval village and today's world? How do economic pressures affect communities now?
Discuss the sexual violence in the movie. Did you think it was necessary to the story? Why, or why not? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the strong language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Talk about the gender representation in the movie. How were women portrayed in the film? Given that it's directed by a woman, were you surprised by the limited female roles? How can films better represent women's experiences in historical settings? How can I find positive gender representations in movies and on TV?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 1, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : August 8, 2025
- Cast : Caleb Landry Jones , Harry Melling , Arinze Kene
- Director : Athina Rachel Tsangari
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : MUBI
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History , Animals ( Wild Animals ) , STEM
- Run time : 133 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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