Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A secret's consequences play out in intense spy film.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Debt
What's the Story?
Idealistic and committed, young Rachel Singer (Jessica Chastain), a junior agent in the Mossad, is given a challenging assignment: Help catch former Nazi Dieter Vogel (Jesper Christensen), the so-called "Butcher of Birkenau," who conducted brutal experiments on prisoners and carried out Hitler's grim and grotesque final solution. It turns out Vogel is hiding out in plain sight in East Berlin as a gynecologist -- so, posing as the wife of David (Sam Worthington), who's undercover as a chemist, Rachel becomes Vogel's patient, collecting crucial information for team leader Stephan (Marton Csokas). Soon, a plan to abduct Vogel and bring him to justice in Israel is solidified, but it all goes awry, leaving the three with Vogel on their hands and no clear path to follow. Within weeks, they go home as heroes ... but the truth has a way of revealing itself. A generation later, Rachel (now played by Helen Mirren) is a legend with a book about her involvement in the triumphant capture of Vogel just published, Stephan (Tom Wilkinson) has risen through the ranks, and David (Ciaran Hinds) is still deeply haunted by their past.
Is It Any Good?
THE DEBT isn't a perfect movie. The plot is leaky, with a central event -- the botching of a carefully laid-out plan -- left fuzzy around the edges. A supremely intriguing romantic triangle is also told in overly broad strokes, leaving so much potential by the wayside. Yet, The Debt is still a masterful film that recalls the suspense and intelligence of decades-old thrillers (the original Taking of Pelham 123, The French Connection, and Dog Day Afternoon, to name a few).
It relies on the basics: a smart (holes aside) script, sharp actors, taut pacing, the works. (Mirren is as flawless as ever, but it's Chastain who stands out, exuding gravity, melancholy, and determination, sometimes all at once.) Plus it has an emotional core that compels the audience to watch and care: What will happen to these three? What did happen after all?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about secrets and lies. Is there ever an appropriate time to lie? What are the consequences of hiding the truth -- both in real life and in this movie?
How does the violence in this movie compare to that in other action thrillers? Does it have more or less impact than bigger, showier, explosion-type violence?
How does this movie portray spies? Is it typical to see older actors playing agents? How does this compare to other spy movies/TV shows you've seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 31, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : December 6, 2011
- Cast : Helen Mirren , Jessica Chastain , Tom Wilkinson
- Director : John Madden
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence and language
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate