Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Humanistic look at Iraq war; violent battles, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
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Sand Castle
What's the Story?
Matt Ocre (Nicholas Hoult) has made a stunningly ill-timed decision in SAND CASTLE. Assured that enlisting in the Army will eventually provide him with a college education, Ocre joins up. The month, July. The year, 2001. In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, however, the United States no longer retains a "peacetime" army, and Matt Ocre finds himself a solider at war. Even a purposeful accident -- he smashes his own arm with a car door -- doesn't prevent his deployment. Once in Iraq, Matt's small unit is sent to repair a pumping station damaged by the fighting. The station is the only source of water for an isolated village. Its people are desperate. Understaffed, the army calls upon the villagers to help with the almost-impossible task. No one answers the call -- they're afraid for their lives. Any help given to the Americans will be seen as aiding the enemy. The young soldiers do their best, but it isn't nearly enough. It's only when a courageous teacher assembles a group of scared but willing townspeople that real progress begins. But, as the saying goes, "no good deed goes unpunished." The enemy attacks... first their own people, then a battle in earnest with the American troops.
Is It Any Good?
Deftly connecting American soldiers with the Iraqi citizens in their midst, along with relationships and battles that feel very real, make this well-acted and directed war movie a cut above. It helps that the audience is carried into the story and along Sand Castle's suspenseful journey by a reluctant young soldier who did not sign up for the events he confronted. As his eyes open to the enormous cost of war -- most specifically in human terms -- so do ours. The film avoids cliches, stereotypes, and forced in-fighting amongst the unit. The affecting war footage, brutal treatment of civilians as well as soldiers, and language are not suitable for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about one unique facet of Sand Castle as a war drama. Why do you think the filmmakers placed so much emphasis on the soldiers' interactions with the villagers? How did both the soldiers' and the villagers' attitudes toward each other evolve over the course of the story?
What is the meaning of the word "irony?" What was ironic about the date -- July 2001 -- when Private Matt Ocre decided to join the Army to earn funds for a college education? How did his early action (the car door incident) reflect his feelings about his ill-timed decision? By the end of the movie, do you think his perspective had changed? Why?
In the mid-20th century, after World Wars I and II, movies about war contained no swearing or obscenities. The Hays Code (a set of restrictive "guidelines") did not allow it. Do you think such language is essential to the telling of stories like this one? Do you think it reflects reality? What other stories or events depicted on film might call for profanity?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 21, 2017
- Cast : Nicholas Hoult , Henry Cavill , Logan Marshall-Green
- Director : Fernando Coimbra
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Teamwork
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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