Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent Prohibition-era gangster film has huge death toll.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Last Man Standing
What's the Story?
Set during Prohibition, LAST MAN STANDING tells the story of John Smith (Bruce Willis), a drifting gunslinger who roams from town to town, working for whoever pays him most handsomely. When Smith winds up in Jericho, Texas, he finds himself in the middle of a brutal gang war between the Irish and Italian mafias. Seeing an opportunity to play them both off against each other, Smith enters a prosperous, albeit dangerous, game.
Is It Any Good?
With its hazy, sepia-tinged lens, and helped along by the film-noir style narration, this Prohibition-era action-packed crime drama has the look and feel of a classic. Last Man Standing is unashamedly cinematic in that regard, playing up to it in a slick and confident manner. Released in 1996, Willis is truly at the height of his powers, in full flow as the gun for hire. Few actors have ever played antiheroes quite like he does, as he somehow keeps you on his side throughout, despite everything inside you telling you that he's a bad man.
However, the film does fall a little too lazily into gun shootouts. Where you may hope for a little more narrative exploration, or character development, large portions of the film are just spent watching men firing guns at one another. But the stylistic endeavors of director Walter Hill, as well as the supporting cast -- which includes Christopher Walken and Bruce Dern (not to mention a surprise cameo from Leslie Mann) -- ensure this remains on the right side of good, even if the characters do not.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Last Man Standing. What impact did it have? What consequences were there? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
There is a distinct lack of female characters in the movie. Did you find this problematic? How were the ones that were in the film treated? Why representation matters in kids' media.
Talk about the character John Smith. Did you find yourself rooting for him in spite of some of his actions? Why do you think this was? What do you think the term "antihero" means?
How was sex portrayed? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How was drinking and smoking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? Do you think our attitudes have changed when it comes to drinking and smoking?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 20, 1996
- On DVD or streaming : November 19, 1997
- Cast : Bruce Willis , Christopher Walken , Bruce Dern
- Director : Walter Hill
- Studio : New Line Cinema
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : History
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive strong violence and some sexuality
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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