Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Outlandish post-apocalyptic action is brutal; has sexism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mad Max
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 29 kid reviews
Kids say that the film features intense violence and dark themes, including implied sexual assault, which may not be suitable for younger audiences despite some believing it can be watched by teens aged 11-14 depending on their maturity. While opinions vary widely, many found the movie to be a classic in action cinema with strong character arcs, though some criticized its pacing and low budget production quality.
- intense violence
- dark themes
- mixed opinions
- classic action
- low budget
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In MAD MAX, a deranged criminal called "Nightrider" (Vincent Gil) steals a cop car and leads several futuristic law enforcement agents on a high-speed chase through rural Australia. He's finally brought down by top cop Max (Mel Gibson). Nightrider's death enrages his gang of sadistic motorcycle riders, led by Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne), who vow revenge against Max. Max takes his wife (Joanne Samuel) and young son (Brendan Heath) to hide on the coast, but the villainous gang pursues them. Max will have to face them if he wants peace for his family.
Is It Any Good?
This memorable, groundbreaking low-budget exploitation hit established a certain set of rules for action movies and inspired many sequels and knock-offs. But today, Mad Max is perhaps more interesting historically than it is aesthetically. Certain sequences still dazzle, and director George Miller's close-to-the-street cinematography captures the thrill of speed in a highly effective way. But the film doesn't really establish the rules of its post-apocalyptic future, and it's too uneven in tone; the scenes of cartoonish violence are a lot more interesting than the idyllic home life images of Max and his family.
It's the least of the original trilogy; the sequel, The Road Warrior, is darker and more streamlined, with a more sustained atmosphere, and the third film, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, is more imaginative and fantasy-based.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the over-the-top violence in Mad Max. How does the movie try to justify the violence used by Max and the other members of Main Force Patrol? How did the use of violence affect Max?
If you've seen any of the other Mad Max movies, how do they compare to this original? What elements of the original Mad Max do you see in Mad Max: Fury Road? How has the franchise evolved over time?
Are there any acts of kindness in the film? How are they received?
How do the car chases in this movie compare to car chases in more modern movies, like in the Fast & Furious franchise? Do you prefer realistic car chases, like in Mad Max, using real cars with professional stunt drivers, or more fantastical car chases enhanced with computer-generated effects?
Why do you think the filmmakers chose to include sexual content? Did it serve a narrative purpose?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 9, 1979
- On DVD or streaming : December 4, 2007
- Cast : Hugh Keays-Byrne , Joanne Samuel , Mel Gibson
- Director : George Miller
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, language, and brief nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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