Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Paid-assassin tale has explicit violence, some language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Role Play
What's the Story?
In ROLE PLAY, Emma (Kaley Cuoco) and Dave (David Oyelowo) are a happily married couple with two children. Trying to spice up their love life after Emma returns from a work trip and forgets their anniversary, the pair agree to meet as strangers in a hotel bar and have a sexy night out. Things go awry from the start when Dave gets stuck in traffic and a stranger named Bob (Bill Nighy) approaches Emma at the bar. Turns out Bob has recognized Emma as a wanted assassin with a bounty on her head, and when he tries to take her hostage, she kills him. That's when Emma's secret life unravels and, faced with the reality of his wife's actual job, Dave has to decide whether to come to her aid or help the authorities find her.
Is It Any Good?
The likable lead duo of this film can't quite compensate for misfires in tone, pace, and music. As the slightly nerdy, very loving, in-over-his-head husband, Oyelowo is the best part about Role Play. His character embodies the film's amusing comedic moments. But he -- and the amusement -- all but disappear in parts of the action-heavy middle section, which aims for a more dramatic tone. Role Play offers a gender-swapped version of True Lies or The Family Plan, and Cuoco manages to be believable as the covert paid assassin. She handles the action scenes well, too, which can almost distract from the heavy-handed techno beat laid on top of her work.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of a secret life, like Emma's in Role Play. Do you think a married parent could actually hide a profession or past like she does? What other films have you watched with characters who aren't who they say they are?
What genre would you call this movie, and why?
The violence in this film is graphic. Did you ever feel it went too far? When is violence excessive in a movie, in your opinion?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 12, 2024
- Cast : Kaley Cuoco , David Oyelowo , Connie Nielsen
- Director : Thomas Vincent
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Prime Video
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and language
- Last updated : January 30, 2024
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