Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Smart, exciting sci-fi tale has violence, sex, and drugs.
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Looper
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 31 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a complex and intense sci-fi film that features significant amounts of violence, strong language, drug use, and sexual content that may not be suitable for younger viewers. While the plot is interesting and well-executed, with strong performances by the cast, many feel that the mature themes and graphic content may make it inappropriate for children under 14, despite its engaging storyline and the messages about sacrifice and making the right choices.
- intense violence
- strong language
- drug use
- sexual content
- complex plot
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In 2044, Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a "looper" -- aka hitman. Whenever gangsters from 30 years further in the future want to get rid of someone, they send the victims back in time, where loopers instantly dispatch them, leaving no record of anything. One day Joe is suddenly faced with the task of killing his own older self (Bruce Willis), who unfortunately escapes. Joe learns that the older Joe wants to kill three kids, one of whom will turn into a vicious gangster in the future. In trouble with his bosses, Joe hides out on a farm, the home of one of the three kids, Cid (Pierce Gagnon). He decides to wait there with Cid's mother, Sara (Emily Blunt), for the inevitable face-off with himself.
Is It Any Good?
Writer/director Rian Johnson delivers on the promise of his extraordinary debut Brick, with this, his ingenious third film. Looper has an unusual balance of intelligence and thrills, plus visual design and sharp dialogue. It's complex enough that sci-fi fans can dig deeper over multiple viewings, but thrilling enough that casual viewers can take it all in with one watch.
Perhaps the biggest drawback is that actors Gordon-Levitt and Willis don't look much alike, and Gordon-Levitt's makeup doesn't help much. But his performance is exceptional, and eventually the two actors start to seem like their characters, even if they don't look like them. Johnson also adds several little Western touches, including an ineffectual cowboy-like bad guy and an amazing use of wide-open spaces, stillness, and silence -- as well as a tribute to Shane. The characters are dark, but they each go on fulfilling journeys. This is the kind of movie Hollywood doesn't make enough of.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's gun violence. Why are characters obsessed with guns in this movie? Do all the guns and shooting help advance the story?
If you met your future self, what would you want to ask?
At what point does Joe learn to be less selfish? What made him change his mind?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 28, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : December 31, 2012
- Cast : Bruce Willis , Emily Blunt , Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Director : Rian Johnson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : FilmDistrict
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, language, some sexuality/nudity and drug use
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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