Parents' Guide to

Morgan

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Brutal, bloody sci-fi thriller about an artificial being.

Movie R 2016 92 minutes
Morgan Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Michael S.
Michael S. Adult
June 3, 2018
age 15+

A dangerous child

It has been compared to Ex-Machina but it is closer in narrative to the movie 'Hanna". A young child is bred to become a dangerous weapon but they want to give her (it) enough of a moral grounding to control her. So, is Morgan really to blame for the violence she performs?

This title has:

Great messages
WorldsStrictestMoM
WorldsStrictestMoM Adult
September 3, 2016
age 12+

OK movie, suitable for younger audiences, but very predictable.

The movie itself did not deserve its R rating AT ALL. PG-13 would have sat fine with me, but definitely not R. It was very bland as far as mature subject matter goes. The violence was at a minimum for an R rated movie, then everything else... Pretty PG. the story was exceptional, but how they tied everything together and planned it out, was pretty subpar. They could have made it so much for interesting, but instead they made a sugar-coated version of 'Ex Machina'. The youngest a child could be to see this and understand and enjoy it, would be about 10. Anyone under that age could view it, but probably get bored of it. • Language- 1/5 Violence- 2/5 Sexual content and Nudity- 1/5 Drugs and Alcohol- 2/5
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In MORGAN, Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) from "corporate" arrives at a remote scientific compound after an accident, apparently to determine the validity of the research going on at the site. The research subject, Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy), was created and raised in a lab; now she's growing fast and seems to have gained some powerful abilities. Despite sympathy from doctors and researchers like Amy (Rose Leslie), Morgan has already injured Kathy (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Psychologist Dr. Alan Shapiro (Paul Giamatti) doesn't fare so well, either. And unfortunately, Shapiro sets off a chain of events that leads to Morgan's escape, with Lee responsible for going after her.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (4):

Despite a great cast and similarities to Ex Machina, this sci-fi movie doesn't really have much to say outside of a vague cautionary message. And it doesn't offer much in the way of thrills aside from the many killings. It's the directorial debut of Ridley Scott's son, Luke Scott, who also shot second-unit footage for his father's epic dud Exodus: Gods and Kings. While Morgan does have a few momentarily interesting visual ideas -- including the reflective glass cage in which Morgan lives, as well as the woods surrounding the compound -- Scott can't manage to tie these into the story or its themes (not to mention that these same visual ideas were used to much better effect in Ex Machina).

Then, when it all comes inevitably down to a chase/fight scenario, Scott chooses choppy editing and fast, whipping camera work, making it more disorienting than exciting. What's most perplexing is how such a phenomenal cast, including Leigh, Giamatti, Brian Cox, Michelle Yeoh, Toby Jones, and Mara, came on board for a script that feels so unfinished.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Morgan's violence. How does it make you feel? Do the characters face consequences for their actions? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • How does it affect the movie that the most important characters are female? Are they role models? Are they stereotypes?

  • Is Morgan a sympathetic character? Did you identify with her? Care about her feelings? What does the movie have to say about artificial beings in general?

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