Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gritty British crime drama with violence, drugs, swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
My Brother the Devil
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
MY BROTHER THE DEVIL follows drug dealer Rash (James Krisha Floyd) and his vulnerable brother Mo (Fady Elsayed) as they navigate coming of age in gangland East London.
Is It Any Good?
This British inner-city crime drama is full of familiar tropes. But that doesn't stop a fine cast and a strong sense of place, conjured by writer-director Sally El-Hosaini, from making My Brother the Devil intriguing viewing. Starring in early roles, Krishna Floyd and Elsayed have enough screen presence to sell what could have been a tired dynamic between a charismatic, criminal older brother and his impressionable young sibling, who yearns for status and credibility. While some of the plot's more predictable turns are perhaps just a fair reflection of gang life, it does feel as though El-Hosaini misses an opportunity to inject any new stories or surprises into what slowly turns into a standard revenge drama with an ending that's light on impact. A TV version of this would likely dive deeper into its characters' lives over the course of a season. But this remains a fine calling-card script and starting point for several young talents, including Letitia Wright, whose quiet but confident turn as the well-balanced Aisha stands in neat contrast to the chaos that threatens to consume the main characters' lives.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in My Brother the Devil. Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Was it shocking, or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
How did the film depict drinking, drugs, and smoking? Were they glamorized? Why does that matter?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this?
Talk about Rashid's struggles with his sexuality in the film. How did his identity conflict with expectations in his community? Why do you think coming out was so difficult for him? How did others react, and what impact did that have on his choices?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 22, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : November 30, 2016
- Cast : James Krishna Floyd , Fady Elsayed , Elarica Johnson
- Director : Sally El Hosaini
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Multiracial Movie Director(s) , African Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Paladin
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 111 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 27, 2025
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