Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cynical, unfunny, depressing mess about greed and murder.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Kill Your Friends
What's the Story?
In 1997, cynical A&R man Steven Stelfox (Nicholas Hoult) is in the midst of a boom time for English pop music but stresses over what to do next. To sign a band might cost him his job -- but to miss the chance of signing the right band could have the same result. He tries to sign beloved indie group The Lazies but is also faced with the prospect of signing a Spice Girls-like act. At the same time, Steven wants a promotion at work but fears that his cocaine-addicted co-worker will get it. So Steven murders him. This brings about blackmail, and further changes at the office require Steven to commit more crimes. Will he find his perfect hit?
Is It Any Good?
Sometimes bad behavior can be entertaining, but in this cynical story of the music industry, it's simply depressing. There's no vicarious thrill, no exhilaration, only uninspired, unpunished meanness. It calls to mind The Wolf of Wall Street, which cooked up a frenetic, intoxicating pace, as well as American Psycho, which was genuinely alluring and shocking at the same time. But KILL YOUR FRIENDS is none of these things. It goes too far into cynicism but not far enough into titillation. It doesn't even feel like satire.
Hoult is a fine actor, and he does what he can here, but Steven is just reprehensible enough to push viewers away. He's not funny, his crimes have no set-up and no payoff, and his activities in the music business mean nothing; he's not particularly excited or repelled by any kind of music, and not even the soundtrack with hits of the day (Blur, The Prodigy, Oasis, Radiohead, etc.) can help. In fact, it almost makes you want to never listen to music again.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Kill Your Friends' bloody violence. What effect does it have? Do different types of violence have a different impact on viewers?
How does the movie portray drinking, smoking, and drugs? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why is that important?
What role does sex play in the movie? What does it mean to the characters? Parents, talk to your kids about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Is this movie a satire? If so, what is it satirizing? Does it work?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 1, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : June 7, 2016
- Cast : Nicholas Hoult , Craig Roberts , Georgia King
- Director : Owen Harris
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Well Go USA
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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