Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark, unkind psychiatric comedy has drugs, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Mimic
What's the Story?
Based on a true story, THE MIMIC begins as The Narrator (Thomas Sadoski) realizes that there's something off about his new neighbor, whom he calls The Kid (Jake Robinson). Believing that The Kid may be a sociopath -- and therefore might provide good material for his next screenplay -- The Narrator starts researching the personality disorder while spending more time with him.
Is It Any Good?
This true story might be fascinating if it wasn't so mean-spirited. Some critics may assess the film on its witty repartee, but that's a distraction. Something much darker is afoot -- and it's something that teens are likely to be more sensitive to than adults. Thomas F. Mazziotti's film explores people's curiosity about others' adeptness (or lack thereof) at social interactions in a WebMD world. What if someone did get out a medical textbook and start measuring another person's behavioral traits -- like how long they hold eye contact -- to try to diagnose them? The problem, though, is that Mazziotti makes a point of saying that everything that happens here is real. In interviews and press materials, he said that The Kid is based on a real person in his neighborhood, that the famous actors in cameos are their real neighbors, and that the shooting location is their real community. That twists this "quirky comedy" into something grotesque. It's like a high-society form of bullying.
That bullying extends to Mazziotti's misogynistic views, which creep into the film. The Narrator surrounds himself with women, all of whom he makes snarky and condescending remarks about in one way or another. He judges women's value on age and beauty, including trying to figure out how The Kid could possibly have a wife so beautiful (he believes she'd be better off with The Narrator himself). The light does eventually get pointed on The Narrator: Is he a sociopath? But the film misses the opportunity to point out how easily many people label others behind their backs -- personality disorders are weaponized as insults. Also missing is anyone listed in the credits with a Dr. in front of their name or even an MFT behind it. Instead, the complete diagnostic text seems to be The Narrator's interpretation of the 2005 nonfiction book The Sociopath Next Door, which is referenced several times. The film does end on a happy note with a positive yet cloudy epiphany. But the lack of resolution only muddles the very subject it attempted to shed light on.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to be a sociopath and how The Mimic tells viewers how to identify one. Do you think either of the characters meets the criteria? Do you think there's another explanation for what's going on with The Kid?
Why do the words "based on a true story" pull us into a story and keep us engaged? What other comedies have you seen that also stated they had roots in real experiences? How accurate do you think most fact-based movies are?
How does The Narrator demonstrate curiosity and communication? Are those typically seen as worthy character strengths? Does The Narrator employ these traits for a positive purpose?
Writer-director Thomas F. Mazziotti based this film on himself and a real person, then shot the movie in their real neighborhood, using their real neighbors as actors. He says The Kid still lives in his neighborhood. Do you think this is a kind thing to do? How would you feel if you were the person The Kid is based on?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 5, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : February 5, 2021
- Cast : Thomas Sadoski , Jake Robinson , Tammy Blanchard
- Director : Thomas F. Mazziotti
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Gravitas Ventures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 81 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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