Parents' Guide to

Stillwater

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Excellent, character-driven crime drama; violence, language.

Movie R 2021 140 minutes
Stillwater Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

UnashamedJesusFreak96
UnashamedJesusFreak96 Parent
August 4, 2022
age 18+
Matt Damon did a remarkable job at his portrayal. Overall, though, the film dragged on. Not suggesting this movie to be watched close to bedtime. Falling asleep will occur. 😴

This title has:

Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
doctora
doctora Parent of 5-year-old
June 22, 2022
age 15+

A slow burn character driven film

This film is different than how it is advertised. It is advertised as a high tension thriller, and it is a slow film that allows the audience to invest in these characters. It feels indulgent and lovely to spend time with these characters on their journey. Damon drives it and Cottin and Siauvaud hold it down on their end. The film takes some interesting turns that I am not sure serve the film well, but it does make the film a bit more interesting, thoughtful, and complex.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In STILLWATER, Bill Baker (Matt Damon) is an oil worker in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He prepares for a trip, the latest of many, to Marseille, France, to visit his daughter, Allison (Abigail Breslin). Allison has been in prison for five years after being found guilty of murdering her roommate, but she has always maintained her innocence -- and now she has an idea who the real killer could have been. She asks Bill to deliver a letter to her lawyer, but the lawyer immediately shuts down the idea. In his hotel, Bill befriends a local woman, Virginie (Camille Cottin), and her 9-year-old daughter, Maya (Lilou Siauvaud). Unable to afford a private investigator, Bill decides to stay and hunt for the killer himself, with Virginie's help. He starts staying at her place -- and to become a father figure for Maya. Time passes, and then the killer shows his face.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (3):

Like director Tom McCarthy's best movies, this slow-burn neo-noir unfolds as a detailed, nuanced character study, with no detail too small and plot twists layered expertly into the tapestry. A plot synopsis or a trailer can't do justice to the impressive way that Stillwater plays out, with McCarthy (The Station Agent, Spotlight, etc.) making full use of the film's 140-minute running time to dig deep into human emotions and hard choices. One of the key scenes -- Bill spotting the killer at a crowded soccer match -- comes at a moment after the movie has lulled us into a sense of comfort. Consequently, the discovery comes as a jaw-dropping shock rather than a routine twist.

In the midst of the storytelling, Stillwater deals with outsiders' presence in places that are foreign to them and the way that they can be viewed through lenses of hate, suspicion, or mistrust. Bill is portrayed as a bullheaded, pushy American, with sunglasses parked over his grim face or perched on top of his dirty baseball cap. (Damon gives an impeccable, immersive performance.) He shoves his way into situations, demanding to know whether anyone speaks English, unafraid -- or unaware -- of being rude. His slow transformation into someone who cares about others feels genuine, even though it can't fix his ultimate character flaw, which is the reason the movie is really a noir. In the end, Stillwater brilliantly, brutally turns its lens back on the Americans.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Stillwater'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?

  • How does the movie handle the topic of suicide? When is it important to talk about mental health, especially if you're worried about a friend or family member? What resources are available to help both kids and adults?

  • Does Bill make the right decision by kidnapping Akim? What does he gain from this choice? What does he lose? What were his other options?

  • Is smoking glamorized here? Are there consequences for smoking? Why does that matter?

  • How is Bill's alcohol dependency discussed? Is his sobriety shown in a positive light?

Movie Details

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