Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Book-based thriller with strong language, nonstop violence.
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Why Age 15+?
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Joe Baby
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
JOE BABY is based on the novel by Drew Fine and follows Joe Baby (Dichen Lachman), a tough, determined woman who works as a money collector for a private investigator. She's hired to track down $10 million stolen in a shady real estate deal, but her search quickly pulls her into a web of crime, secrets, and hidden motives tied to a mysterious death. Along the way, she confronts dangerous enemies, navigates betrayals, and faces moral dilemmas, all while dealing with escalating violence, explosions, and high-stakes action that puts her and those around her in constant danger.
Is It Any Good?
If you're in the mood for a stylish, action-packed crime thriller, this one's a lot of fun, mostly because of how magnetic the performers are. Joe Baby follows Dichen Lachman as the titular character, a fearless money collector caught up in a dangerous criminal web, and she's absolutely fabulous. Lachman brings a Karen Sisco-meets-Sigourney Weaver kind of energy, fully embracing the neo-noir world with gusto. Kenneth Choi is a delight as an FBI agent with hidden motives, and every scene he shares with Lachman is electric; their chemistry alone could carry a whole movie. Willa Fitzgerald is a blast as the femme fatale, slinking across the screen with charm and menace, though Lachman clearly steals every scene she's in.
The story is fairly predictable if you know film noir, and it sometimes trips over unnecessary subplots, but the action keeps it moving. There's nonstop fighting, explosions, and some seriously graphic injuries, so it's definitely too violent for kids, but older teens who can handle intense action and morally grey characters might really enjoy it. With its stylish sequences, brilliant performances, and even a perfectly timed ironic use of Mazzy Star's "Fade into You" during a love scene, Joe Baby is a thrilling ride that's entertaining even if the plot doesn't always surprise you.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the characters who are brave and loyal, but also willing to use violence and deception to get what they want. Do you think the movie is suggesting that the ends can justify the means?
Joe Baby often has to choose between protecting herself and helping others. What did you think about the choices she made, and what might you have done differently in her situation?
The movie uses familiar film noir tropes (like the femme fatale and the morally grey detective). How do these characters compare to ones you've seen in other thrillers or crime stories?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 15, 2025
- Cast : Ron Perlman , Harvey Keitel , Dichen Lachman , Willa Fitzgerald , Kenneth Choi
- Director : Steven Brand
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Korean Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : ITN Distribution
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 19, 2025
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