Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Incredibly vulgar, unfunny animated movie; don't bother.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hell & Back
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say the movie features a unique combination of humor, dark themes, and impressive animation; however, it is marred by excessive vulgarity and explicit content, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some viewers appreciate the humor and creativity, many find its crude language and disturbing themes ultimately detract from the overall experience.
- animation quality
- dark themes
- not family friendly
- crude humor
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Three friends work at a dilapidated amusement park that's on the verge of going out of business. Remy (voiced by Nick Swardson) finds an ancient book with images of a weeping devil, and he makes a blood pact with Curt (Rob Riggle) over a mint. When Curt breaks it, he's sucked into hell, and Remy and Augie (T.J. Miller) go in after him. A pretty half-demon, Deema (Mila Kunis), offers to help them find their friend if they'll help her find Orpheus (Danny McBride). Meanwhile, the devil (Bob Odenkirk) is having problems of his own, with a confusing bureaucracy and an unrequited crush on an angel (Susan Sarandon).
Is It Any Good?
It's a wonder how this stinker of a script -- packed with foul language, sex references, and scatological jokes -- attracted such a strong cast in the first place. And the finished film is no better. Presumably inspired by such filthy, funny features as South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) and Team America: World Police (2004), HELL & BACK desperately clings to swearing and bodily functions for its humor, and it emerges with not a single laugh.
The stop-motion animation is colorful and must have taken a great deal of work, but the result still looks rushed and cheap. The characters fall completely flat; no friendship or teamwork seems to exist between the "friends," and, really, it's hard to care much about any of these awful characters. (If anything, Odenkirk's devil is probably, ironically, the most appealing character.) Not even Miller whose voice work in Big Hero 6 and the How to Train Your Dragon movies is so lovable, can help here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Hell & Back's sex humor/references? Does it represent sex in a positive light? What audience do you think the jokes are aimed at?
Are women objectified in this movie? Are there any worthy female role models?
Does the movie glorify drug and alcohol use? If so, how? What would real-life consequences be?
Did you find the movie funny? What kind of humor does it use? What other kinds of humor are there? Which kind(s) do you prefer? Why?
This is an animated movie that's aimed at adults; why are animated movies generally considered to be for kids?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 2, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : January 5, 2016
- Cast : Bob Odenkirk , Mila Kunis , Nick Swardson
- Directors : Tom Gianas , Ross Shuman
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Freestyle Releasing
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive strong crude and sexual content, language and some drug use
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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