Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Engaging noir tale is dark and violent; some cursing, nudity
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Justice League: Gods and Monsters
What's the Story?
In Metropolis, Superman (Benjamin Bratt), Batman (Michael C. Hall), and Wonder Woman (Tamara Taylor) have formed the Justice League, in which vigilante justice is served above and beyond the law, with the government more or less looking the other way, so long as the ends justify the means. However, many citizens are wary of their unchecked power and begin to protest. As the protests increase, a group of esteemed scientists is murdered one by one, and the Justice League is clearly being framed for the killings. When the President orders their arrests, the three heroes/antiheroes must find a way to prove their innocence, fight the very people they've been trying to protect, and justify their existence in Metropolis.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of the more "noir" characterizations of the familiar superheroes Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman will find much to enjoy here. These versions are cynical, conflicted, and not all that nice. Themes of unchecked power, justice, and whether or not the ends justify the means are fully explored here, as are the origin stories of these three heroes/antiheroes. The result is fully developed characters, complex stories, and engaging action.
As in the other dark versions of these superheroes we've seen in recent years, this movie is not for families wanting more lighthearted fare or for parents expecting the more kitschy versions of these heroes they grew up with. But for those who welcome more "adult" versions of these immortal characters, this is one of the best stories out there.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in movies. Did the violence seem necessary to the overall story, or did it seem gratuitous?
How are these versions of the well-known superheroes Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman similar to and different from other versions you've seen in movies and on TV?
What were some of the issues this movie addressed? What are your thoughts on these issues?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 28, 2015
- Cast : Benjamin Bratt , Michael C. Hall , C. Thomas Howell
- Director : Sam Liu
- Inclusion Information : Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Violence throughout and suggestive content including nudity.
- Last updated : October 1, 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