Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful, thought-provoking drama about race, activism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Hate U Give
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 41 parent reviews
Based on 90 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a powerful and emotional exploration of racism and police brutality that resonates with viewers of all ages, though it contains intense themes, violence, and mature content that may not be suitable for younger children. Many recommend it for older teens and stress the importance of discussing its themes with younger viewers to help them process the serious issues it raises.
- powerful message
- emotional themes
- mature content
- recommend for teens
- discussion needed
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Based on author Angie Thomas' award-winning young-adult novel, THE HATE U GIVE follows high schooler Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg), who explains that she feels like she lives two lives. In the first, she's part of a loving family in a predominantly black community in the underserved neighborhood of Garden Heights. In the second, she's "Starr 2.0," one of very few kids of color at Williamson Prep, a posh private school on the affluent side of town. She never quite feels herself there, but she makes the best of it: She's popular, plays basketball, and has a romance with fellow sneaker-head Chris (K.J. Apa), who's white. But then Starr's life takes a tragic turn after she leaves a Garden Heights house party with her childhood friend, the Tupac-loving Khalil (Algee Smith), and he's stopped by the police for a seemingly unnecessary reason. When Khalil reaches into the car for a hairbrush, the officer shoots -- fatally, as it turns out. Starr is traumatized by Khalil's death and decides not to go public as the witness. But after the story goes national, Starr feels conflicted by how her prep-school classmates respond and how Khalil is depicted in the media. So she re-evaluates her decision to speak out for her late friend.
Is It Any Good?
Propelled by Stenberg's performance and an excellent cast, this is one of the rare adaptations that does right by its source material, offering a powerful exploration of race, racism, and activism. Working from an adapted screenplay by Audrey Wells, director George Tillman Jr. captures the spirit of Thomas' break-out novel, giving readers and viewers a lot to unpack. The movie opens with Starr's father, Maverick (Russell Hornsby), giving his kids "the talk" -- not about sex but about how to act when they're around police. One of the best aspects of the movie is how supportive and loving the Carter family is: Maverick, who owns the local grocery; mom Lisa (Regina Hall), a nurse at a local clinic; Starr; and her brothers Seven (Lamar Johnson) and Sekani (T.J. Wright) are a tight unit. Starr's beloved uncle Carlos (Common) is a police officer who moved out of Garden Heights, adding layers of complexity to the situation. Rounding out the fabulous cast are Issa Rae as a lawyer/social justice activist and Anthony Mackie as the boss of a Garden Heights gang who has a history with Maverick. There's not a false note among the cast, and Hornsby and Hall are particularly effective as Starr's parents.
So many young adult adaptations fall short of expectations, but this one is up there with The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Fault in Our Stars. It's an ideal movie to see with teens -- nothing is too cringeworthy for parents to handle while sitting next to their kids -- and then talk about candidly afterward. You can discuss everything from what to do when a party gets dangerous to how to deal with a fair-weather friend to even bigger, more troubling issues of institutional racism, the tension between police and the communities they're charged to serve, and how class and privilege affect the way we see law enforcement and race in America. Because it's so thought-provoking, The Hate U Give isn't the sort of escapist teen flick that helps you get away from the news cycle. This movie, like the book that inspired it, is about more than a police shooting; it's about speaking out against injustice; healing wounds; the importance of family, finding true friends, and uniting communities; and, for parents, supporting kids as they find their voice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Hate U Give's violence. How realistic is it? What techniques do filmmakers use to create realistic violence as opposed to fantasy violence? Which has greater impact?
How do Starr and the other characters display courage and compassion through their words and actions? How do they demonstrate communication? Why are these important character strengths?
How does the movie deal with racism/issues related to race? Are lessons learned? If so, how would you describe them? What do you think Lisa means when she says that "white folks want diversity but not too much diversity"?
Phones play a significant role in the story, both for communication and recording important events. How does Starr's phone give her power in a situation where she otherwise wouldn't have any? What do you think about how much time kids -- and adults -- are spending on devices?
If you've read the book: What did you like most about the movie, and what, if anything, did you miss?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 5, 2018
- On DVD or streaming : January 22, 2019
- Cast : Amandla Stenberg , Regina Hall , Russell Hornsby
- Director : George Tillman Jr.
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Non-Binary Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism , Book Characters , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage
- Run time : 172 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mature thematic elements, some violent content, drug material and language
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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