Common Sense Media Review
Extremely violent '80s crime classic with drugs, sex, etc.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Scarface
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Parents say that this film is a classic but is heavily laden with graphic violence, drug use, and strong profanity, making it unsuitable for children. While many adult viewers appreciate the storytelling and performances, particularly by Al Pacino, they stress the importance of discussing the film's themes with teenagers if watched together.
- graphic violence
- drug use
- strong profanity
- adult themes
- discuss with teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 64 kid reviews
Kids say that this film is a classic but filled with extreme violence, drug use, and strong language, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some viewers appreciate its powerful message about the pitfalls of crime and the American dream, others warn that the graphic content, including nudity and disturbing scenes, can leave a negative impression on impressionable viewers.
- violent content
- strong language
- drug use
- parental guidance
- mature themes
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The powerful triumvirate of director Brian DePalma, screenwriter Oliver Stone, and actor Al Pacino came together to create this 1980s soaked reworking of the classic Howard Hawks gangster film, SCARFACE. It's the story of Cuban refugee, Tony Montana (Al Pacino) who climbs to the top of Miami's cocaine scene, eventually falling prey to both addiction and his own assassination. As Tony's wife Elvira, Michelle Pfeiffer plays the role drugged out and disinterested, convincingly enough to make her appeal to Tony almost unfathomable. In a holdover from the 1932 version, Tony's overbearing relationship with his sister Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) has tones of incestuous desire; only in this version, Gina actually confronts him about this in a shockingly violent manner.
Is It Any Good?
Al Pacino gives his first of many truly over-the-top performances with gusto in Scarface. This film's reputation stands up there with Pulp Fiction (1994) as a "must see" for hip teens (especially males) who love their violence spiked with copious amounts of darkly humorous dialogue ("Say hello to my little friend.").
Every bit of the film, from the camera moves to the set design is excessively done, like Tony's life, and in that sense, the film is imbued with a feeling of 1980s self-indulgent immorality. This film is extremely violent and is not recommended to anyone under the age of 17.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Tony's story is a rise-and-fall scenario, and how it makes the obvious point that the decadent lifestyle of a drug kingpin can crumble very easily. Does Al Pacino's character make his violent lifestyle more attractive than it really is?
Is the graphic and verbal violence necessary to convey the story, or is it overindulgent?
What can be said of Tony's troubled relationships with women? Does Tony ever even appear to be happy or content for a moment of the film? For that matter, do any of the characters?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 9, 1983
- On DVD or streaming : September 30, 2003
- Cast : Al Pacino , Michelle Pfeiffer , Steven Bauer
- Director : Brian De Palma
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Competition , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History ( War: Other ) , Sports
- Run time : 170 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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