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Parents' Guide to

Impostor

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

A great cast can't save the poor script.

Movie PG-13 2002 102 minutes
Impostor Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 1 parent review

bigchungues
bigchungues Parent of 2, 5, 8 and 10-year-old
June 3, 2022
age 5+

This movie is sus

Because it has the word “impostor”
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In IMPOSTOR, Spencer Olham (Gary Sinise) is a brilliant scientist who has created a devastating weapon to be used in a war against genetically superior aliens. After a romantic weekend in the country with his beautiful doctor wife, Maya (Madeleine Stowe), and on the night he is to greet the head of the global government (Lindsay Crouse). But an inspector named Hathaway (Vincent D'Onofrio) tells Olham that the plans have changed. Hathaway has intercepted an alien message showing that Olham has been killed and replaced by an alien cyborg construction that so perfectly replicates Olham's memories and thoughts that even he does not know that he is no longer alive and himself.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Even an outstanding cast, some good special effects, and an intriguing idea from a first-rate writer can't save this sci-fi thriller from a poor script and unimaginative direction. The studio's lack of confidence and its troubled history is evident in its long-delayed release and obvious cuts to take it from an R to a PG-13. If the plot sounds vaguely like Blade Runner, that is because both are based on stories by pioneering visionary sci-fi author Philip K. Dick. Like Blade Runner, this story envisions a world in which identity is so blurred that even we do not know who we are. Unfortunately, though it tries to impersonate a much better movie, its ideas are lost among pedestrian chase scenes, and even a twist at the end cannot make it compelling.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Oppenheimer, learn more about his trial for treason, and discuss some of the conflicts scientists face.

Movie Details

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