Lesson Plan
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Lesson Plan
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
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Lesson Plan is a Polish thriller-action film about a former cop who finds out his friend, a history teacher, died under mysterious circumstances. He takes his friend's job at the school to investigate what led to his friend's death. The film includes numerous scenes with discussions and images of drug use and drinking. Much of the film is comprised of fighting/violent scenes. A character gets shot in the head. It's insinuated a woman was about to be sexually assaulted by a gang of students. Someone allegedly dies by suicide. Language includes "f--k," "damn," "s--t," and "f--king."
What's the Story?
LESSON PLAN follows Damian (Piotr Witkowski), a former police officer with jiu-jitsu skills, on the hunt for his friend's murderers. Because his friend was a history teacher at a school known for drug use, Damian takes his friend's job to investigate the truth behind his friend's death.
Is It Any Good?
Lesson Plan is charming in the sense that it evokes a retro sense of the hero using martial arts to instill values into others around him. But overall, the film is bland at best, and confusing at worst. Why would a school randomly hire someone not qualified to be a teacher to fill a position? Why is Damian (Witkowski) trying to teach when he's not trained in history? Why is he using his teaching time to teach unauthorized jiu-jitsu classes? And why is his love interest Agata, another teacher at the school, less focused on teaching and more focused on being a stereotype of a feminine character defined by her status as a "love interest"?
Aside from these questions, the film might be enjoyable if you love films like these -- think Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris (who is name-checked in the film), or even Jackie Chan films. But if you aren't willing to turn off your brain and go along with standard action tropes, Lesson Plan might be a tedious watch for you.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about action-thrillers. How does this one compare to others you've seen?
What positive lessons does Damian give his students?
How is violence used as a plot device in the film?
What message does the film have about drugs and alcohol?
How does the film incorporate perseverance and teamwork?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 23, 2022
- Cast: Piotr Witkowski, Marcin Bosak, Pascal Fischer, Zuzanna Galewicz
- Director: Daniel Markowicz
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Thriller
- Character Strengths: Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 101 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: November 30, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Kindergarten Cop
Terminator meets Mother Goose; lots of violence, profanity.
-
Rush Hour
Buddy cop fun amidst explosions, bad guys, and language.
-
The Expendables 2
The Expendables are still very violent but much improved.
-
21 Jump Street
Slick, somewhat dated police procedural for teens.
For kids who love action and thrills
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