Common Sense Media Review
Witty Hitchcock thriller piles on suspense and innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
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North by Northwest
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 24 kid reviews
Kids say the film offers a mix of excitement and suspense along with some predictability and pacing issues, making it entertaining yet occasionally boring. While it has thrilling action sequences and notable performances, some viewers express concern over the heavy use of innuendo and outdated gender portrayals, yet many still recommend it as a classic for older kids and adults alike.
- suspenseful action
- classic masterpiece
- predictable twists
- innuendo concerns
- family-friendly film
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In NORTH BY NORTHWEST, Cary Grant stars as Roger Thornhill, an advertising executive who's mistaken for a spy named George Kaplan. When his life is turned upside down as a result, Roger decides that the only way to get his life back is to track down the real Kaplan himself. Racing across the country to clear his name, Roger encounters the alluring Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint), whose true motives are unclear.
Is It Any Good?
Sure to entertain viewers with a wide range of tastes, the film is a true cinematic pleasure with an impressive pedigree. North by Northwest is consistently light and comic, with some sort of silly comment or joke relieving even the tensest scenes. Grant is superb as Roger, a character who demands large tonal shifts, from "mama's boy" to suave sophisticate, from terrified man on the run to indignant pawn of the government. Grant pulls it all off convincingly, and Saint is the perfect foil—her Eve is cool and mysterious, leaving Roger unsure of whether to trust her for much of their time together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the lasting appeal of Hitchcock movies like North by Northwest. Why do so many people consider this film a classic? What are some techniques that he uses that you've seen used in other movies?
Talk about who Roger is at the beginning and the end of this movie. Have his experiences made him a better person? What's the movie's underlying message?
How do the characters in North by Northwest demonstrate integrity, perseverance, and courage? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 17, 1959
- On DVD or streaming : September 7, 2004
- Cast : Cary Grant , Eva Marie Saint , James Mason
- Director : Alfred Hitchcock
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Classic
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 131 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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