The Interview

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
The Interview Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Not-so-political comedy concentrates on vulgar jokes.

R 2014 112 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 21 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 33 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 Interview is a controversial comedy that was co-written and co-directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and stars Rogen and James Franco as a producer and talk show host tasked with assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Reportedly due to the movie's subject matter, distributor Sony Pictures was the victim of a huge Internet hack, which they were led to believe was the work of terrorists. Under pressure and responding to threats, Sony first opted to pull the movie but shortly after decided to release it in a limited theatrical run and on VOD. The extra publicity has made the movie quite famous, and parents should know that teens may very well want to sneak a peek. Those who do will be met with extreme foul language and strong sexual innuendo, as well as brief nudity (breasts, bottoms, etc.) and simulated sex acts. It also has several scenes of blood and gore, shooting, fighting, and explosions, many of which are played for laughs but are still graphic. There are also some scenes of drug use (Ecstasy) and brief drinking, as well as a reference to smoking pot.

Community Reviews

Flowers4You
Flowers4You Adult
February 9, 2020
age 15+

Funny For An Older Audience

The Interview is, for many reasons, a controversial film. Any movie even the least bit political is sure to be a hot topic for debate, especially considering some of the mature subject matter in this flick. There is slight racism (a character apologizing with a fake Asian accent; a character referring to the USA as "a place where they don't eat dogs" while leaving a nation in Asia), but if your children is well-rounded and has common sense, they'll be able to understand that this was for comedic effect and that comments like those should not be repeated. Though it is vulgar, there is no nudity further than a woman's breasts. There are two scenes where a boner is concealed by clothing. There is language, mild drinking/smoking, and some blood at the end (as well as the brutal destruction of a helicopter, and the shooting of multiple people, all within the final twenty minutes), but there's no denying that, albeit stupid, this film is guaranteed to give quite a few laughs.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
John Hopkins
John Hopkins Adult
January 3, 2021
age 11+

Best Seth Rogen Movie!

This movie has very little drugs and alcohol besides at the beginning. The fact that this movie is controversial doesn't matter. My only problem with this movie is the violence and language. At the end of the movie they bite peoples fingers off and shoot 15 people with machine guns.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 21 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Dave Skylark (James Franco) is the slick, smarmy host of a popular celebrity TV talk show, an interviewer so skilled that he can even get Eminem to open up about his sexuality. When Dave and his producer, Aaron Rapaport (Seth Rogen), learn that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un (Randall Park) is a huge fan of the show, they arrange to interview him. But, having learned this, the CIA sends agent Lacey (Lizzy Caplan) to convince the boys to use their opportunity to assassinate Kim instead. Once in Korea, Aaron finds himself attracted to one of Kim's top aides (Diana Bang), and Dave starts developing a bond with Kim himself. Can our heroes do the right thing and still get out of the country alive?

Is It Any Good?

Co-writers/directors Rogen and Evan Goldberg follow up their acclaimed all-star apocalypse comedy This Is the End with THE INTERVIEW, a less metaphysical and more topical comedy. It's an attempt at a political satire, stirring up trouble before its release -- or at least tangentially involved in trouble -- but resulting in less a political satire than a bromance with jokes about body parts and bodily functions.

The best part about The Interview is Franco, whose cheerfully loony performance recalls his award-winning role in Spring Breakers. Dave Skylark is so comfortable with his inappropriate behavior that he's instantly hilarious. He's incapable of a false note, even though he's all surface. Unfortunately, as the plot begins to kick in and take hold in the second half, less time is given to jokes, and we're left with not much more than yelling, chasing, explosions, and some gratuitous finger-biting and blood spurts.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the controversy surrounding The Interview. What was the result of Sony being hacked? Who was offended, and who was hurt? How did Sony respond to the threats? Do you agree with their decisions? Did the story surrounding the movie make you more or less interested in seeing it?

  • How violent is the movie? Is the violence intended for shock, humor, or both? How is it handled? Is it excessive?

  • How much of the movie's humor is sexual in nature? Who is that content intended to appeal to? Do you think it succeeds?

  • Did you notice any stereotypes in the movie? How does it portray the North Koreans? Are they all viewed the same way? Do you think the movie would have had the same impact and tone if the target of the plot had been a fictional character from a fictional country?

  • Why would Dave Skylark's show be popular? What's appealing about celebrity interviews versus "actual" news?

Movie Details

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