The Book of Eli

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
The Book of Eli Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Future-set action epic is heavy on comic book violence.

R 2010 118 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 28 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 41 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Book of Eli is very violent -- there's lots of weapon use, body parts getting chopped off, fighting, and dead bodies, as well as suggested rape (sounds of ripping clothes and women's screams) -- and takes place in a bleak future. But it has a "comic book" tone that keeps it from being a total downer, and it actually feels more like a Western than a sci-fi epic, with a loner hero (Denzel Washington) who wanders into a lawless town and tangles with the kingpin (Gary Oldman). The movie's subtext tackles religion: The bad guy wants to use the world's last remaining Bible to control and dominate the "weak and desperate," while the hero wants to deliver the book to a safe place. Expect some sexuality (though no nudity), strong language (including "f--k"), and -- worth mentioning again -- lots of action violence.

Community Reviews

Jbrod
Jbrod Adult
May 15, 2022
age 16+

For older teens

Minute 19:35 attempted rape scene makes this for much older teens. Minute 26:16 a man mentions to another man to “get some p*ssy”. I would not watch this with a young child.
Lucylola
Lucylola Adult
June 10, 2020
age 12+

Great Message

This movie is great for families with teens who can be mature enough to understand and take away the powerful message this movie gives. There are positive messages and Eli (Denzel) is a positive role model. Whoever reviewed this movie for Common Sense is anti-religion doesn’t understand the Bible. Eli is being led by God to deliver the Bible to a unknown place keeping it safe from those who want to use the Bible to manipulate other people. Very powerful and Denzel, as always, is perfect. If your not religious, you will still enjoy the plot line, fight scenes, as well as Denzel and Gary Olman.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 28 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In a post-apocalyptic future, Eli (Denzel Washington) has one goal: to carry the last remaining copy of The Bible toward the West, hoping to find a safe place for it. Meanwhile, he encounters all kinds of villains, scoundrels, and cannibals on the road and must use his weapons and considerable combat skills to get past them. Wandering into a lawless town looking for water, he meets the educated Carnegie (Gary Oldman), who's after a copy of the Bible that he can use to control the townspeople. Eli merely wishes to continue with his mission, but Carnegie won't take no for an answer. Eli's situation gets tougher when he finds himself attached to pretty young runaway Solara (Mila Kunis).

Is It Any Good?

THE BOOK OF ELI is an effective post-apocalyptic action movie with elements from both comic books and Westerns thrown in for good measure. For instance, to protect themselves from the harsh sunlight, all the characters wear sunglasses or goggles, but rather than rendering them impersonal or distant, they only ramp up the movie's cool factor.

The action is exceedingly well directed, exciting, and sometimes surprising, even if the storytelling relies on some tried-and-true chestnuts. Like the best science-fiction tales, it has an underlying agenda -- this time it's mainly about organized religion's use of the Bible -- but the message never outweighs the story's thrust. Washington is powerful as the stoic, loner hero, and Oldman happily chews the scenery as the bad guy. But Kunis' role unfortunately seems little more than a plot device.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. How does the movie's tone affect the impact of the action/fight scenes? Does it feel realistic?

  • What do movies set in post-apocalyptic futures (Children of Men, I Am Legend, The Road, etc.) have to say about the way we, as humans, feel at the moment?

  • What are the movie's messages about religion? Is it trying to make a specific statement about the subject?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

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    Touching but grim futuristic tale won't appeal to kids.

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