Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent multiverse animation has suicide, language, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Max Beyond
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In MAX BEYOND, Max (voiced by Cade Tropeano) is a young boy with dimension-hopping powers, held captive by a mysterious research organization. In each reality, his brother, Leon (Dave Fennoy), fails to rescue him. Will Max finally find a way to break through space and time to break free of the facility?
Is It Any Good?
This sci-fi action animation has an ambitious cyberpunk story at its core. Max Beyond's hero -- former marine Leon -- meets a bloody end each time he tries to free his dimension-hopping young brother Max from the shadowy people who want to exploit his powers. Unfortunately, the movie's delivery doesn't match its ambition. Created by an admirably small team, the film feels like a sketch more than a finished product. Broad writing and poor animation combine to let it down. The movie was created in Unreal Engine, which powers video games, and the bizarre facial animations too often look like a video game glitch compilation. Max Beyond has a solid sci-fi story but its execution makes it more of an outsider art curiosity than a must-see action thriller.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Max Beyond. Was it thrilling? Scary? Both? Did the animation make it feel less impactful? If so, why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
How did Leon's time in combat affect him once he returned to civilian life? Did the movie go into this enough for you to get an understanding of this issue?
Talk about the strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
Did you enjoy the scientific theories in the movie? Have you seen any other multiverse movies? What do you think makes the idea of living multiple lives appealing?
How was drinking and drug use depicted in the movie? Were they glamorized? Did the characters need to do these things? Were there consequences?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 23, 2024
- Cast : Dave Fennoy , Jane Perry , Cade Tropeano
- Director : Hasraf Dulull
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : The Movie Partnership
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 91 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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