Rogue Hostage

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Rogue Hostage Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Violence, language in ruthlessly mediocre action movie.

NR 2021 87 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Rogue Hostage is a Die Hard-like action movie in which terrorists take over a department store and a Child Protective Services worker/former soldier (Tyrese Gibson) must save the day. Violence includes guns and shooting, deaths, bloody wounds and gurgling blood, fighting/punching, fighting with knives and blunt objects, children in peril and brandishing knives and guns, and an explosion. Language includes a few uses of "f--k" and "s--t," plus a few other words. The main character appears very drunk in one scene and is shown smoking, but he also demonstrates bravery and selflessness. Another character smokes a cigarette too. The performers seem game, but the movie is so generic and listless that it doesn't really deserve their efforts.

Community Reviews

LEM
LEM Adult
April 24, 2022
age 16+

Bad movie

Very low budget movie with unnecessary bad elements of swearing, violence etc. Please note that there is a strong lesbian message and kissing which some families will not appreciate.

This title has:

Too much violence
GafA-17marshal
GafA-17marshal Adult
June 25, 2021
age 11+

Just plain boring.... Not what you'd expect from 2021.

See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ROGUE HOSTAGE, Kyle Snowden (Tyrese Gibson) works in Child Protective Services and suffers nightmarish flashbacks to his wartime service. The widowed father of a young daughter, he also lives his life under the gaze of his powerful stepfather, Congressman Sam Nelson (John Malkovich). After rescuing a young boy from a violent situation, Kyle and his partner (Brandi Bravo) find themselves at one of Nelson's department stores, where he's set to give a speech. Suddenly, terrorists, led by Eagan (Christopher Backus) and bent on revenge, invade the store and take everyone hostage. Can Kyle protect his daughter and the young boy and save the day?

Is It Any Good?

Other than the above-average efforts by Malkovich and Gibson, this ruthlessly mediocre action movie fails to muster enough energy to move itself out of the well-worn grooves of its story. Decades after Die Hard, Rogue Hostage is yet another copy of that 1980s hit, with generic villains threatening a group of hostages in an enclosed space while the heroes lurk, hidden in the shadows, plotting ways to save the day. This movie adds little that's new or fresh to the formula, blowing through its plot points as if it were a checklist of chores.

Director Jon Keeyes doesn't seem particularly interested in establishing the physical space or using it to generate suspense, and the cheap-looking CG visual effects and choppy shaky-cam certainly don't help matters. Impressively, the performers -- not just the two leads, but others, too -- seem to be the only ones giving a little more than the bare minimum; Malkovich especially seems to be in touch with his character's emotional and practical center. Michael Jai White as Nelson's bodyguard, Luna Lauren Velez as a store manager, and Holly Taylor as a shoplifting employee all bring a little something extra as well. It's too bad that the utterly routine movie around them isn't worthy of them.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Rogue Hostage's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve that effect?

  • How are alcohol and smoking depicted? What reasons do the characters have for using? Is substance use glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?

  • What is terrorism, and what makes it different from other types of violence? How are terrorists typically portrayed in the media? Do you think that's accurate?

  • How are characters of color and LGBTQ+ characters represented? Did you notice any stereotypes?

  • Do you consider Kyle a role model? What are his faults? What does he do to overcome them?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate