Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lots of fighting, language in likable, diverse action movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shadow Force
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In SHADOW FORCE, Isaac Sarr (Omar Sy) is a former elite killer for hire who's doing his best to singlehandedly raise his son, Ky (Jahleel Kamara), apart from his absent wife, Kyrah (Kerry Washington). One day, when Ky ends up in danger during a bank robbery, Isaac's old skills kick in, and he easily dispatches the robbers—but his actions are caught on tape, and he's exposed. Isaac takes Ky to a safe house in Bogotá, Colombia, to lie low—Kyrah finds them there and reunites with her son for the first time in four years. It turns out that both Isaac and Kyrah were part of an elite team of assassins called the Shadow Force, but they broke the rules by falling in love. In order to be truly free and clear, Kyrah has been trying to dispatch the rest of their number. But their old boss, Cinder (Mark Strong), now a secretary general, has put a bounty on their heads, and their former team members are gunning for them. It's time for them to call in some help from fellow agents "Auntie" (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) and "Unc" (Method Man) and prepare for a showdown.
Is It Any Good?
Surprisingly likable, brisk, and funny—at least until the third act starts to drag a bit—this action flick easily gets viewers rooting for its loving family of main characters. Directed by Joe Carnahan, Shadow Force's secret weapon is young actor Jahleel Kamara, who's instantly lovable as Ky, endlessly asking questions ("Are there piranha in here? Are there fish in here?"), scolding his parents for swearing, and singing along with gusto to Lionel Richie's 1982 ballad "Truly." Kamara forms a natural rapport with Sy, and when Washington's Kyrah lays eyes on her son after four years of being apart, you can feel her character's absolute joy; her wide smiles and utter adoration feel genuine. (When he sleepwalks to her and rests his head on her shoulder, she's visibly touched.)
Carnahan keeps the good stuff going with the inspired pairing of Oscar winner Randolph and former Wu-Tang Clan rapper Method Man as "Auntie" and "Unc"; their loving bickering is endearing. And the angular, tightly coiled Strong makes for a mesmerizing villain, hitting all the right notes without feeling like a psychopath. Where Carnahan and co-writer Leon Chills go astray is in not bothering to properly introduce viewers to the rest of the Shadow Force, five deadly assassins with killer looks and no personalities. As a result, when the showdown begins, the fights lack meaning. But, note for note, Shadow Force still has enough going for it to make it worth an evening's diversion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Shadow Force's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
The theme of the movie is that family is more important than anything—but that it's OK to protect that family by whatever means necessary, including violence. Do you agree? Why, or why not?
How is drinking depicted? Is it glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Do characters demonstrate positive communication? How well do Isaac and Kyrah communicate as compared to how "Auntie" and "Unc" communicate?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 9, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : May 30, 2025
- Cast : Kerry Washington , Omar Sy , Da'Vine Joy Randolph
- Director : Joe Carnahan
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, and language throughout
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : July 25, 2025
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