
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Les Misérables
By Danny Brogan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Powerful French drama has police brutality, strong language.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Les Misérables
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
New to the area, Brigadier Stéphane Ruiz (Damien Bonnard) joins fellow police officers Chris (Alexis Manenti) and Gwada (Djebril Zonga) as they patrol a suburb just outside of Paris in LES MISÉRABLES. But when a lion cub is stolen by some teens it triggers a turn of events that threatens to spiral out of control.
Is It Any Good?
Set just outside of Paris, and loosely based on real events, this uncompromising French drama explores the dynamics and growing tensions between the police and the diverse neighborhood they serve. Les Misérables -- not to be confused with Victor Hugo's 19th century novel, although its presence lingers throughout -- shows the delicate threads that can hold a community together. Bonnard is excellent as "new kid on the block" Ruiz. Initially he watches on as his fellow officers bounce between community overseers to power-abusing overlords. But as the situation escalates, his conscience forces him to step in.
Comparisons to 1995's La Haine -- another superb French drama that tackled similar issues -- are well-founded. But Ladj Ly's feature-length directorial debut is deserving of its own standing. It's to Ly's credit that he can both generate sympathy and detest for the large array of characters. When the movie's final act kicks off, the scenes may be distressing, but you understand how they came about. A tough watch, that shines a light on issues that are all too sadly just as relevant today as they were in 1995. Perhaps even more so.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Les Misérables has to say about the relationship between the police and the communities it serves. Did you think the film was realistic? How did it reflect other events that have made the news?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Talk about the movie's violence. How did it affect you? Was it more shocking that the police were often those responsible? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
If French is not a language you speak, how did you find the subtitles? Were they distracting or did you get used to them quickly? What other international movies have you seen and how did this one compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 10, 2020
- On DVD or streaming: January 9, 2020
- Cast: Damien Bonnard , Alexis Manenti , Djebril Zonga
- Director: Ladj Ly
- Studio: Amazon Studios
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 104 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language throughout, some disturbing/violent content, and sexual references
- Last updated: August 24, 2022
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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