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Parents' Guide to

Random Acts of Violence

By Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Gory, meta slasher movie doesn't go deep enough.

Movie NR 2021 85 minutes
Random Acts of Violence Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Random Acts of Violence Movie: Scene #1
  • Random Acts of Violence Movie: Scene #2
  • Random Acts of Violence Movie: Scene #3

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What's the Story?

In RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE, comic book creator Todd Walkley (Jesse Williams) and publisher Ezra (Jay Baruchel) have had a huge success with their R-rated indie title Slasherman, which was based on a real-life case. To promote what will be the book's final issue, Todd and Ezra take a road trip, along with Todd's girlfriend, Kathy (Jordana Brewster), and assistant, Aurora (Niamh Wilson). They pass through the real killer's original small-town territory. Kathy hopes to do a book about the killer's victims, while Todd searches in vain for the proper ending for his tale. Unfortunately, a rash of new killings starts, and the crime scenes scarily resemble scenes from Todd's comics.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (3 ):

Jay Baruchel's adaptation of a 2010 comic delivers lots of gore and a few relatable characters. But its main theme, a meta meditation on violence in media and in real life, remains curiously superficial. As Random Acts of Violence begins with an intriguing look at Todd and Kathy's relationship, it looks as if it's going to have a certain dedication to character development. Certainly the movie's characters -- including Ezra and Aurora -- are fun and/or likable, but it's not long before they sputter and stall. Todd's writer's block, for example, isn't the most dynamic or visual thing, and Ezra is little more than a pest, forever badgering Todd to finish his book.

Moreover, the disconnect between Kathy's empathetic book about the victims and Todd's exploitative comic about the killer should have driven more of a dramatic wedge into the story and characters. But Random Acts of Violence never goes very deep. When the killings start, they all involve new characters who were introduced moments earlier, so there's no emotional connection for viewers. Finally, the commentary on violence just runs around in circles with a life-imitates-art-imitates-life motion without ever landing on an idea. Certainly gore hounds will squeal to the movie's creative killings, but Random Acts of Violence promises, and could have been, much more.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Random Acts of Violence's violence. How shocking is it? How did it affect you? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? Or is it some combination? How, and why?

  • Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror movies?

  • What's the difference between Kathy, who wants to write about the victims, and Todd, who exploits the violence for his comic book? Why do you think the comic book is so successful?

  • How is the movie different from the comic book it's based on?

Movie Details

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