Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Erotic thriller with graphic violence, sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Mea Culpa
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Mea (Kelly Rowland) is a well-respected Chicago lawyer asked to take on the high-profile case of an artist, Zyair (Trevante Rhodes), in MEA CULPA. Zyair is accused of murdering his girlfriend, though her body hasn't been found. Mea's brother-in-law, Ray (Nick Sagar), is prosecuting the case and asks her to recuse herself. Having trouble in her marriage to Kal (Sean Sagar), and tired of bullying and mistreatment from her mother-in-law (Kerry O'Malley), Mea refuses. But Zyair proves to be a complicated client, and Mea finds herself falling for him, not realizing that there are larger forces at work.
Is It Any Good?
This film is unbelievable, overly scripted, and sloppily resolved, but when has that stopped an erotic thriller with a spectacularly attractive cast from finding an appreciative audience? Writer-director Tyler Perry (of the Madea franchise) already has a built-in following. Rowland and a seductive Rhodes do what they can with the material, but the story gets increasingly farfetched and the male characters increasingly abusive as the tale dives into sordidness.
Unfortunately, not much about Mea's actions suggest she's the brilliant boss we're meant to believe. It's hard to understand why she and her sister-in-law stick around their no-good husbands (played by the real-life Sagar brothers) and their bully mother. The film's action-filled climax is neither realistic nor well-constructed. There's plenty here for the curious viewer, but keep your expectations low for story, character, and any positive takeaways about human behavior in general.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ending of Mea Culpa. What messages did you take away from the film's resolution and final scenes?
What is the presumption of innocence in the U.S. legal system, and why is it important?
Much of the film is shot at night. What effect does this have on the story and tone of the movie?
How does this compare to other Tyler Perry movies you've seen?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 23, 2024
- Cast : Kelly Rowland , Trevante Rhodes , Nick Sagar
- Director : Tyler Perry
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 120 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language, some violence and drug use
- Last updated : April 9, 2024
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