The East
age 15+
Possibly controversial messages in eco-terrorism thriller.
- Review Date: May 30, 2013
- Rated: PG-13
- Genre: Thriller
- Release Year: 2013
- Running Time: 116 minutes
What parents need to know
Positive role models
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The East is a thriller about a spy who infiltrates a violent eco-terrorist group and becomes involved with its members. The movie doesn't specifically condone this anarchist behavior, though it's clearly angry about irresponsible corporate behavior and suggests that other solutions may be possible. There's not much fighting or shooting, but some blood is shown, and there are some strong images and dangerous acts. Some sexual situations arise, and nudity is suggested but rarely shown. Language is minimal, and a "natural" sleeping drug is used on the heroine. The movie's reactionary message will likely appeal to many teens; hopefully it will inspire good deeds instead of destructive ones.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
What's the story?
Sarah (Brit Marling) works as a secret agent for a private intelligence firm; her job is so hush-hush that she can't even tell her boyfriend. Her latest assignment is to infiltrate an eco-terrorist group called "The East," whose crimes are designed to mirror the crimes that corporate entities have committed upon the world (poisoning the water, releasing deadly drugs on the market, etc.). She succeeds in joining the group and convincing them of her sincerity, but she finds herself falling for the group's charismatic leader, Benji (Alexander Skarsgard), and he for her. Things get even more complicated when one of the group's members, Izzy (Ellen Page), designs an attack (called "jams") that's a little too personal.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
If it weren't for the ludicrous ending, this film might be nearly outstanding. The incredible Marling, who wrote (or co-wrote) the screenplays for Another Earth and Sound of My Voice -- as well as producing and starring -- moves into a slightly bigger budget bracket with THE EAST, though the mood is still the same: thoughtful and emotionally risky. Like Sound of My Voice, the concept here is also the infiltration of a cult.
However, the plotting of The East has also advanced a bit more toward Hollywood. Most of the movie works like gangbusters, with Sarah's journey taking precedence over the anti-corporate messages. Her involvement with the cult and with Benji grows ever stranger and more precarious as the "jams" get more dangerous. Unfortunately, the filmmakers felt the need to tack on a fairly overcooked ending that feels both rushed and ridiculous. It knocks the entire movie down a few pegs, but there's still a lot here to admire -- and to think about.
Families can talk about...
- Families can talk about The East's somewhat violent eco-terrorist, anti-corporate message. How do the movie's main characters justify their actions? Are they right, or is there a better way to get involved?
- How does the anarchist collective demonstrate teamwork? How about trust? How does Sarah prove that she can be a member of their team?
- Who are the "good guys" and "bad guys" in this story? After a while, does the anarchist collective seem bad? Does Sarah's boss seem good?
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | May 31, 2013 |
| DVD release date: | September 17, 2013 |
| Cast: | Alexander Skarsgard, Brit Marling, Ellen Page |
| Director: | Zal Batmanglij |
| Studio: | Fox Searchlight |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 116 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic elements, violence, some disturbing images, sexual content and partial nudity |
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
About Our Rating System
The age displayed for each title is the minimum one for which it's developmentally appropriate. We recently updated all of our reviews to show only this age, rather than the multi-color "slider." Get more information about our ratings.
Great handpicked alternatives
-
Disquieting indie drama reveals the cost of cult life.age 17+ -
Intense, evocative drama examines faith, compulsion.age 17+
-
Lurid, twisted, and violent. Not for kids.age 17+
For kids who love doing good in the world
Browse more movies
Top advice and articles
What parents and kids say
Share your thoughts with other parents and kids Write a user review
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines
Compelling Eco-Terrorist Drama is Okay For Teens.
Parents, this compelling terrorist drama from the co-writer of "The Pianist" is a thoughtful and tense film, but the mature themes and terrorist attacks are too disturbing for younger teens. Violence includes a character cutting her arm open with a torn aluminum can, people being drowned in poisoned pools of oil, burning bodies, explosions, a man being forced to jump into a heavily polluted lake, which kills him, terrorists slipping dangerous drugs into champagne at a large party, and disturbing news footage is shown of animals and torn open bodies, covered in oil. Sex includes some partial nudity (flashes of female breasts & male buttocks and genitals), same-sex kissing, a sex scene, and themes of infidelity, along with some pretty graphic sexual references (about sex addiction and lesbian relationships). Language includes one whispered use of "f--k" and one use of "b-tch". In the end, this compelling terrorist movie is fantastic, but not for younger kids.
SUGGESTED MPAA RATING:
Rated PG-13 For Some Grisly Images, Violent Thematic Material, Disturbing References, Sexual Content, Partial Nudity And Brief Language
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much sex
Was this review useful?
The East
Intense movie with some strong sexual themes and blood, is quite good, but only for teens and up.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much sex
Was this review useful?
Communism!
Nasty propaganda, full of liberals and junkies!
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Was this review useful?
