Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Effective, intense drama about racism and justice; swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Just Mercy
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Based on 21 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a deeply moving and powerful drama that addresses serious themes like racism, injustice, and the harsh realities of the death penalty, making it a tough watch for younger audiences due to its emotional intensity and strong language. Many reviewers praised the film for its educational value and role modeling, while cautioning parents about its graphic content and the emotional impact it may have on viewers, emphasizing its importance in raising awareness of ongoing societal issues.
- powerful messages
- emotional intensity
- serious themes
- strong language
- educational value
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In JUST MERCY, young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) decides, after completing an internship helping Death Row inmates, to devote himself to the cause full-time. He moves to Monroeville, Alabama (home of Harper Lee), teams up with Eva Ansley (Brie Larson), and starts focusing on the case of Walter "Johnny D." McMillian (Jamie Foxx). Johnny D. was accused and convicted of killing a teen girl based on the testimony of two unreliable witnesses. Bryan thinks it will be easy to prove that Johnny D. was nowhere near the crime scene at the time of the murder, but he quickly finds that the white establishment in Alabama isn't so eager to allow a convicted murderer back out on the street, no matter what the evidence says. Can Bryan find justice for his client?
Is It Any Good?
It follows a pretty traditional arc, but this prison/courtroom drama is still effectively tense and moving thanks to fine performances and the picture it presents of simmering racial injustice. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Just Mercy almost always feels like a movie. All of the familiar beats, speeches, and plot turns happen just when they're supposed to, without the messiness of life coming into it (as it did so vividly in Cretton's remarkable breakthrough feature, Short Term 12). But the film quickly establishes a good sense of place, from Bryan suffering the indignities of being Black in Alabama to the large gathering of friends and neighbors at the home of Johnny D.'s family when Bryan goes to see them.
Just Mercy also offers a slate of solid supporting characters -- including a subtly menacing district attorney (Rafe Spall), a candy-munching convict (Tim Blake Nelson), and Johnny D.'s next-cell neighbors on Death Row (O'Shea Jackson Jr. and Rob Morgan) -- all of whom add to the movie's texture. Then, as the pieces of the puzzle come together, occasionally blocked by bigotry and corruption, the tension and excitement start to ramp up. The final piece is Foxx, who's very good as Johnny D., hardened and reluctant to hope anymore. In the moments he does actually find hope, his emotion is palpable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Just Mercy's violence. Given that the movie chooses not to show its most violent acts, does that make the movie less violent?
Is Bryan Stevenson a role model? How does he demonstrate perseverance?
How does the movie portray racism? How about the relationship between racism and justice/the law?
How accurate do you think this movie is to events as they actually happened? Why might filmmakers choose to alter the facts in a movie that's based on a true story? Check out the documentary version of Bryan's story.
To Kill a Mockingbird is referenced many times in this movie. How does that story compare to this one?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : March 27, 2020
- Cast : Michael B. Jordan , Jamie Foxx , Brie Larson
- Director : Destin Daniel Cretton
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Multiracial Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 136 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic content including some racial epithets
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : November 25, 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