Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unexceptional, violent comic-action tale has sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Spenser Confidential
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a mix of humor and violence, showcasing an entertaining plot driven by Mark Wahlberg's performance. While many found it funny and enjoyable, they noted the presence of strong language, violence, and a moderately explicit sex scene, suggesting parental guidance for younger viewers.
- funny
- violent
- strong language
- parental guidance
- enjoyable
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Eager to get out of Boston and start a new life when he's released after five years in prison for aggravated assault, Spenser (Mark Wahlberg) just can't quite make the break in SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL. First, his mentor and friend, Henry Cimoli (Alan Arkin) wants Spenser's help in training a young boxer, Hawk (Winston Duke), with terrific potential. Plus, the corrupt police chief whom Spenser beat up is murdered the very day Spenser gets out. Events continue to pile up and keep him in Beantown, especially when a young cop whom Spenser knows to be clean "kills himself" and is outed as the police chief's killer. No longer employed by the city, Spenser feels responsible to Henry and can't help but want to clear up the mystery of both deaths. So, he puts his dream of being a long-haul truck driver on hold, continues an erratic relationship with his old girlfriend, and sets about to right an abundance of wrongs.
Is It Any Good?
This unimpressive, lazily-plotted update may disappoint old Spenser fans, but will possibly find new ones on Netflix. Mark Wahlberg is a natural in this role created for him, with pal Peter Berg directing. Around the fifth time Spenser is cornered and outnumbered by the bad guys, there's no suspense, really. Either he'll overpower them all, or the saintly sidekick will show up to save his sculpted fighter's body.
The good news is that everyone appears to be having a great time making Spenser Confidential. Winston Duke as Hawk may evolve strongly, though he's the polar opposite of Robert Parker's original body man. Comic actor Iliza Shlesinger lights up the screen every time she shows up, and at least there's suspense there -- what will she do next? And for some action fans, predictable is often comforting, as is watching bad guys of all shapes, colors, and sizes get what's coming to them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the extreme violence in Spenser Confidential. Do you respond differently to exaggerated violence than you do to serious, realistic violence? How does each type of violence make you feel? Why is it important to be aware of the impact of media violence on kids? Do you think the fact that the violence is over the top or comic makes a difference for kids?
Think about the marketing value of creating a "new" franchise from an already-existing popular one. Even if the characters are changed substantially, why is it a benefit to use the well-known names? Why do you think the character of Spenser was altered substantially? How might casting Mark Wahlberg in the role have had an influence on the filmmakers' choices?
Land developers, dishonest businesspeople, and corrupt law enforcement officers are often villains in movies. What negative character traits (i.e., dishonesty, greed) do they always seem to have in common? How do such stereotypes impact kids?
How is sex portrayed in the movie? Is it linked to love? Passion? Casual fun? What message does it send? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 6, 2020
- Cast : Mark Wahlberg , Alan Arkin , Iliza Shlesinger
- Director : Peter Berg
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 111 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, language throughout and sexual content
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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