Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lots of violence, some language, in well-told alien story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Life
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is a slow-paced alien-themed horror film with a good cast, but it contains intense violence, gore, and strong language, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some find it to be a tense and suspenseful experience reminiscent of the classic, others criticize the ending and feel it fails to deliver originality, describing it as a derivative piece rather than a fresh take.
- slow-paced
- intense violence
- strong language
- derivative piece
- tension
- unsuitable for younger audiences
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say the film is very violent and unsettling, making it more suitable for viewers over the age of 16. While some found it a gripping blend of sci-fi and horror, others described it as boring or too intense for younger audiences, highlighting scenes of graphic gore and strong language that left many viewers recommending caution regarding its appropriateness for younger teens.
- violence and gore
- intense for teens
- strong language
- recommended for 16+
- suspenseful atmosphere
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In LIFE, six astronauts are aboard a satellite orbiting Earth as part of the Mars Pilgrim Mission. They retrieve a probe from Mars that contains a microscopic life form from the Red Planet. Biologist Hugh Derry (Ariyon Bakare) excitedly studies it, changes atmospheric conditions, and watches it grow at an alarming rate. Then it attacks and escapes, wounding his hand. Another crew member jumps in to intervene, but the creature, called "Calvin," kills him. It's up to the rest of the crew -- including Miranda North (Rebecca Ferguson), David Jordan (Jake Gyllenhaal), and Sho Kendo (Hiroyuki Sanada) -- to try to contain the monster. If they can't, they'll never be able to return to Earth.
Is It Any Good?
This sci-fi creature feature doesn't really do anything we haven't seen before, but its execution -- including smooth camerawork and tense editing and music -- makes it reasonably gripping. In Life, director Daniel Espinosa glides his camera along the corridors of the satellite as if it, too, were weightless, and the crisp editing and the intense score provide plenty of nervous suspense. It's not as dark and shadowy as the similar Alien, but the lights are used to interesting effect.
The characters are also interesting. Not only do they represent a diverse cross-section of cultures and sexes, but they're treated like smart people. No one wanders off alone to check something out, and no one splits up. Generally, the movie avoids the kinds of cliches the genre routinely falls back on. Plus, no one is an invincible hero stepping up to save the day. Even the creature is given credit for being clever -- a worthy adversary. Overall, Life is pretty basic, and it's a familiar story, but any story can feel fresh again when it's told well.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Life's violence. How gruesome is it? How much blood is shown? How does the movie use violence to generate suspense? Does exposure to violent media make kids more aggressive?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of scary movies/monster movies?
How did you feel about the diverse cast? Did they feel like real people? Were any of them stereotypes?
Do the characters show courage? What makes someone a hero? What role does sacrifice play in the movie?
What did you learn from the movie about the International Space Station and its history and goals? How does it encourage collaboration across nations?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 24, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : June 20, 2017
- Cast : Jake Gyllenhaal , Rebecca Ferguson , Ryan Reynolds
- Director : Daniel Espinosa
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Sony Pictures Entertainment , Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, some sci-fi violence and terror
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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