Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, sex references, suicide in rebellious teen drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pump Up the Volume
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In PUMP UP THE VOLUME, high school student Mark (Christian Slater) runs a pirate radio station, where his rebellious persona is a far cry from his under-the-radar personality at school. Speaking his mind about local injustices, and taking calls live on air from fellow disillusioned youth, his popularity quickly grows, encouraging other teens to question the status quo. One in particular, Nora (Samantha Mathis), is determined to uncover his true identity, while Principal Cresswood (Annie Ross) is determined to shut him down.
Is It Any Good?
This 1990 coming-of-age movie pulsates with the energy of disenfranchised youth that's finally found somewhere to channel their spirit. Slater is the perfect vessel as the unassuming new kid who comes alive at night as a rebellious pirate radio DJ in Pump Up the Volume. What starts as a way to get things off his chest and joke around quickly gathers momentum, and pulls together a community of isolated, directionless teens who just need a little push to find their voices and their cause. Freedom vs. censorship is a huge theme, as is the idea of not rocking the boat—something Mark's father strongly advises, but ultimately learns himself that there are more important things than steady waters. It covers some dark topics—corruption, abuse, suicide—but its core audience of older teens (and nostalgic adults) will be all too aware of the difficulties of high school years. It's not a neat, happy ending kind of a film, but it does feel like a kind of call to arms for viewers of all ages to wake up and speak up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the teenage experience is portrayed in Pump Up the Volume. What does the movie say about the difficulties of that time of life? What are some of the things Mark and his listeners go through? How does showing empathy and building community help?
The movie features a character who takes their own life. Did you think the topic of suicide is handled sensitively and realistically? Where might you go if you or someone you know was having suicidal thoughts?
How is authority portrayed in the film? What makes the teens speak out against authority figures? Do you think it's OK to challenge authority sometimes? Can you think of examples of when it might be important to do so? Do you agree with the way the teens here go about it? What else might they have done? Would it have been as effective?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What does it contribute? Is a certain kind of language expected in a film like this?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 22, 1990
- On DVD or streaming : December 21, 1999
- Cast : Christian Slater , Samantha Mathis , Cheryl Pollak
- Director : Allan Moyle
- Studio : New Line Cinema
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 13, 2026
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