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Parents' Guide to

Observe and Report

By James Rocchi, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Dark, disturbing comedy is for adults only.

Movie R 2009 82 minutes
Observe and Report Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 16+

Based on 13 parent reviews

age 17+
This film is not like Paul blart Mall cop Seth Rogen place a mall security that goes brutal and Gore.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
age 13+

Darker For A Seth Rogen movie

This movie was dark and funny. Not the best Seth Rogen movie but still good. The end was great but very inappropriate. I believe kids should be allowed to watch most things when once there 13.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (13 ):
Kids say (17 ):

Written and directed by Jody Hill, Observe and Report is a dark comedy that goes far, far over the edge. But Hill's headlong plunge into dark, disturbing comedic territory is somehow sure-footed enough to keep him from stumbling too badly. Some viewers will see the film as a cold, clear-eyed satire of Ronnie's character, while others may see it as a celebration of his character -- which is, one hopes, not the point.

Rogen's work as Ronnnie is strong and deeper than you'd think; Ronnie's a fool and a weakling, but he occasionally has flashes of decency, and Rogen captures Ronnie's struggle toward goodness with the befuddled look of a dumb, loyal dog. Observe and Report is decidedly not for kids (try Paul Blart: Mall Cop instead...or don't), but grown-ups with a taste for the bizarre and bleak will find it as haunting as it is hilarious.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: April 10, 2009
  • On DVD or streaming: September 22, 2009
  • Cast: Anna Faris , Ray Liotta , Seth Rogen
  • Director: Jody Hill
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Run time: 82 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: pervasive language, graphic nudity, drug use, sexual content and violence
  • Last updated: September 9, 2023

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