Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Relevant dystopian drama has violence, threat, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Kitchen
What's the Story?
Set in a dystopian London, where the divide and gulf between the rich and poor is striking, THE KITCHEN is where a community of the underserved live. It's also the home of Izi (Kane Robinson), who cuts something of an isolated figure, until teen Benji (Jedaiah Bannerman) fortuitously comes into his life, providing him with an ally, in a world -- and system -- that is otherwise stacked against them both.
Is It Any Good?
This dystopian drama is an impressive debut feature behind the lens for acclaimed actor Daniel Kaluuya, who shares directing duties with Kibwe Tavares. With The Kitchen, the duo have together created a film that both looks the part and has a powerful, profound narrative. What helps bring a sense of intimacy into an otherwise grand world -- a near-future, rundown London, full of maze-like overbearing tower blocks -- is the father-son like relationship between Izi and Benji (played by newcomer Bannerman). The performances are strong. Robinson does a fine job as Izi, bringing nuance and depth to the role, able to convey so much with just his eyes. There's also a strong cameo performance from former English soccer star Ian Wright. The film walks a fine line between fantasy and reality, at times feeling otherworldly. But it's a film that is constantly grounded by its impactful, human tale. It also has a lot to say, without ever feeling heavy-handed, with its themes about the disparity between rich and poor, and the crash of social housing, all ringing true.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence and threat in The Kitchen. What were some of the reasons why it occurred? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
What do you think the filmmakers were trying to say about society today and the disparity between different communities? Did it do this in an effective way?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 8, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : January 19, 2024
- Cast : Kane Robinson , Jedaiah Bannerman , Ian Wright
- Directors : Daniel Kaluuya , Kibwe Tavares
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : January 30, 2024
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