Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bloody, boozy buddy-assassin actioner misses the mark.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Old Guy
What's the Story?
In OLD GUY, assassin Danny Dolinski (Christoph Waltz) is facing forced retirement due to his age. But his employer, The Company, offers an alternative: Train a cocky Gen Z assassin (Cooper Hoffman). When the two travel to Belfast for a routine job, bringing along Danny's friend Anata (Lucy Liu), they realize that The Company has bigger, more dangerous plans for them.
Is It Any Good?
Con Air director Simon West puts a new hat on an old outfit, and, instead of pulling together a new look, it looks like ... a new hat on an old outfit. Old Guy starts strong, opening with a fast-moving, animated title sequence accompanied by a banger beat, and continues with appealing visuals like clear, beautiful cinematography and snazzy editing. Stylistically, it's got a young aesthetic. And the story is the type of mashup of classic genres that makes for a fresh approach to widely appreciated material.
So, where does Old Guy go wrong? The script. The dialogue doesn't pop: There's nothing original said, and the characters are scraped from the obvious, without being given enough depth. One potential upside is that Wihlborg's frequent comments throughout the movie about why Danny's behavior is unhealthy and unwise may convey to teens that these vices are what old people do, while young people know better. But ultimately the movie's youthful energy can't disguise the truth: This Old Guy is tired.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the style of Old Guy matches the concept and characters: How is a young, fresh approach teamed with a classic genre and storyline? Do you think it worked? Why, or why not?
What is a "buddy comedy"? How does Old Guy fit into the definition? How does it compare to other buddy action comedies you've seen?
Discuss how Danny's drinking, drugs, smoking, casual sex, and use of the "R" word are used to define his age and lack of adaptability. Did any of the depictions make his behavior seem more or less appealing? How can entertainment influence our own actions and opinions?
What is integrity? Discuss Dolinski's professional code: Considering what he does for a living, would you consider this integrity?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 21, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : February 21, 2025
- Cast : Christoph Waltz , Lucy Liu , Cooper Hoffman
- Director : Simon West
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : The Avenue
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, language and some drug use
- Last updated : March 30, 2025
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