Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Profound sci-fi explores parenting rights; sex, rape.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Assessment
What's the Story?
In the future, resources are scarce, and having a child is a privilege and luxury the government grants only to couples they deem worthy. The state recognizes that brilliant agricultural scientist Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and genius computer engineer Aaryan (Himesh Patel) are excellent candidates for parenting: They're making significant contributions to a society that is equal parts utopian and dystopian, and they have high hopes to be rewarded with a child. Enter evaluator Virginia (Alicia Vikander), who arrives on their doorstep to conduct THE ASSESSMENT.
Is It Any Good?
Chilling because it's both outlandish and alarmingly grounded and plausible, this sci-fi drama is likely to be scrutinized in your own dome long after the credits roll. Given how often reproductive freedom is the subject of regulation and debate, The Assessment is clearly making a point by suggesting a future in which the government would ban pregnancy and childbirth. Minnie Driver's two-minute mid-movie monologue explaining how this perfectly controlled society was established is a gobsmacker that we can only hope will hit the ears of real-life leaders. (Viewers may well pick up on the irony that the same government that apparently allowed personal freedom to destroy the planet and the future of humanity is now overbearing in its reproductive regulations.)
When stern, rigid assessor Virginia shows up at their door, Mia and Aaryan have no idea what to expect, as the evaluation process is kept under wraps. Viewers experience their bafflement alongside them, and our entertainment is partially based in not knowing what's coming (and why you should see it before spoilers, clips, and memes emerge). The point is that children are unpredictable, and, like the baby Mia and Aaryan are pursuing, The Assessment may give you some sleepless nights.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Assessment sets out the differences between life in the future and "the old world." What would you do if you were living in the characters' circumstances?
Do you think parenting should be a right, or a privilege? What are examples of governments creating laws around reproductive rights? What does history suggest are the likely consequences?
Why do you think so many futuristic movies, series, and books show humanity living in a dystopian environment? How does this compare to other sci-fi movies you've seen?
Parents, talk about how Mia and Aaryan are tested during their assessment. Do you think you could pass? What other evaluation criteria might you add?
Discuss the sexual violence in The Assessment. How did it make you feel? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 21, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : April 8, 2025
- Cast : Elizabeth Olsen , Alicia Vikander , Himesh Patel
- Director : Fleur Fortuné
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Magnolia Pictures
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content, language, suicide, sexual assault and brief nudity
- Last updated : March 28, 2025
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