Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Great animation, solid messages; lots of cartoon violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Next Gen
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 107 parent reviews
Parents say the film is significantly darker and more violent than anticipated for a children's movie, with many reviewers deeming it unsuitable for kids under 12 due to intense action scenes, use of profanity, and themes of violence and revenge. While some appreciate the emotional depth and character development, particularly around the protagonist's struggles with anger and loss, most emphasize that the overall tone, alongside the explicit language and violent content, overshadows any potentially positive messages.
- excessive violence
- inappropriate language
- dark themes
- unsuitable for kids
- mixed emotional depth
- complex character development
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 52 kid reviews
Kids say the movie has potential with its themes of loss and coping, but the execution falls flat due to overdone violence and a lack of depth in storytelling. Many reviewers suggest it's not suitable for younger audiences due to the intense action, frequent swearing, and questionable role models, making it more appropriate for preteens and older.
- potential themes
- not for young kids
- intense violence
- overused swearing
- lack of depth
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Young Mai (voiced by Charlyne Yi) is one angry girl in NEXT GEN. She hates robots; she's bullied; she can't seem to get her mother's attention. And she's never recovered from her father's leaving her and her mom, Molly (Constance Wu), years earlier. Molly hasn't helped matters; she's obsessed with robots, as well as Justin Pin (Jason Sudeikis), the genius behind IQ Electronics, who like Steve Jobs before him, is revered as the face of the future. But unbeknownst to Justin Pin, in a secret lab at IQ Electronics, Dr. Rice (David Cross) has created an extraordinary prototype AI (artificial intelligence), whom he calls 7723 (John Krasinski). When 7723 escapes from the lab, in a stroke of great serendipity, it's Mai whom he encounters. Bent on revenge, Mai sees 7723's powerful strength and abilities as the answer to what she calls her "unfocused rage": getting back at the bullies and the robots. Awed by his first real view of the world outside the lab, 7723 sees Mai as a new and wonderful friend in need of his guidance and protection. As their relationship surges, changes, and ultimately becomes a very important one, the two discover a dire threat to the world that only they may be able to stop.
Is It Any Good?
A warmhearted story lies beneath the vibrant animation and imaginative cartoon mayhem, all made distinctive by the outstanding cast of actors and the original characters they've created. Charlyne Yi's Mai is unique: surly, funny, needy, and smart. John Krasinski is wonderful as 7723, evolving almost magically from robot to almost-human. Jason Sudeikis and David Cross are simply terrific. Next Gen is long and packed with many characters and plot complications that probably didn't need to be as complicated, and it has some striking changes in tone. But it's easy to see why Netflix came up with a lot of money when the film was up for sale in Cannes, France. Recommended.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Next Gen. Most of the victims in the story are robots. Does it have the same impact as when human characters are killed or injured? For kids? For adults? Why or why not?
In the movie, a scientist says "Perfect is the enemy of good." What do you think he meant? Has "trying to be perfect" ever gotten in the way for you? How so?
Track the evolution of Mai's character as the story progresses. She started out angry and hopeless. How did she end up? What events made the changes possible?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 9, 2018
- Cast : Charlyne Yi , John Krasinski , Jason Sudeikis
- Directors : Kevin R. Adams , Joe Ksander
- Inclusion Information : Non-Binary Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Robots
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : January 17, 2026
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