Parents' Guide to Inception

Movie PG-13 2010 148 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson By Jeffrey M. Anderson , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

Intense, complex, brilliant sci-fi thriller; violent scenes.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

  • 2:10
  • Inception Trailer

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 104 parent reviews

 

 

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age 12+

Based on 381 kid reviews

Kids say that the movie is an exhilarating but complex film, marked by impressive special effects and action sequences; however, many reviewers caution that its intricate plot can be challenging for younger audiences, particularly those under 12, making it better suited for older kids. While the film includes some mild violence and language, overall, it is praised for its unique storytelling and engaging themes that resonate with older viewers.

  • complex plot
  • suitable for older kids
  • impressive visuals
  • intense action
  • moderate violence
  • unique storytelling
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 381 kid reviews

What's the Story?

In INCEPTION, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled "extractor," able to enter people's dreams to find information. A businessman (Ken Watanabe) hires Cobb to plant an idea in the mind of a competitor, even though this may not be possible. Cobb assembles a team (which includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Elliot Page) and prepares for the complicated job, which will require creating three dreams-within-dreams. Unfortunately, the subject (Cillian Murphy) has been trained for such invasions, and the job will be far more dangerous than planned -- and then there's the fact that Cobb's dead wife (Marion Cotillard) keeps unexpectedly turning up inside the dreams and wreaking havoc of her own. But if the team fails, they could end up trapped in a subconscious limbo forever.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 104 ):
Kids say ( 381 ):

Inception is an intense, complex story, but it's always coherent, imaginative, and entertaining. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan has proven himself a master of time juggling; he rarely presents a story in chronological order. He often flips time or stacks time on top of itself, balancing several simultaneous storylines precariously, but with remarkable clarity.

That said, although Inception is a terrific film, it lacks a strong emotional connection with most of the characters -- the movie's roller coaster ride feel means that there's little time to stop and get to know anyone. Likewise, unlike Nolan's The Dark Knight, it doesn't really represent any current fears or desires, save for a vague fear of technology. It's really just a very intelligent, slam-bang popcorn movie. And that's absolutely fine.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Inception's violence. How did it affect you? Was it thrilling? Did the fact that it takes place in a dream give it more or less impact?

  • Was the movie scary? If so, what made it scary?

  • Why is it important to dream? What do your dreams tell you? Is it right to plant an idea in a person's head, even if that idea makes the person happy?

  • We learn that Leonardo DiCaprio's character does what he does for a living because of several kinds of loss. Talk about loss and the importance of grief and how to grieve.

  • How did the characters exhibit teamwork to accomplish their mission? Why is teamwork an important character strength?

Movie Details

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