
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
The Player (1992)
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Noir masterpiece has nudity, lots of strong language.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Player (1992)
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Report this review
What's the Story?
Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) is THE PLAYER, a Hollywood studio executive whose career may be slipping away thanks to an up-and-comer gunning for his job. And to make things worse, he's receiving increasingly threatening postcards from a disgruntled writer he brushed off in the past. Griffin tracks down the writer to try and confront him about the threats. The confrontation turns ugly, and Griffin soon finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation. Worse still, the postcards keep coming. Who has it out for Griffin, and will he find his own happy ending?
Is It Any Good?
This is the one with Robert Altman's famous eight-minute opening scene, a beautifully orchestrated, continuous tracking shot that perfectly sets up the rest of this thrilling noir crime drama. It's the head of the snake devouring itself as The Player draws the viewer into an endless circle. The performances are great. The script is a rock solid, sly, and clever framework for Altman's devilish digs at the Hollywood studio system.
It's a must-see for film buffs, who'll enjoy peeling away the layers of references, in jokes, Altman's masterful display of technique, to say nothing of the sheer fun of seeing so many cameos and so many terrific performances. But even if it didn't have all that, it also works as a taut, suspenseful crime drama in the great film noir tradition. Mature teens who can handle the nudity and strong language may not get all the in jokes, but they'll enjoy sinking their teeth into the world of movie-making while they're kept on the edge of their seats right to the end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the nudity and sex in The Player. Is it gratuitous? What does it add to the movie?
What about all the profanity? Is it realistic? Is it necessary?
Do you think The Player paints a realistic picture of how decisions are made about which movies get the green light? What's the difference between a studio picture and an independent film? Which do you tend to like better, and why?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 3, 1992
- On DVD or streaming: July 16, 1997
- Cast: Tim Robbins , Greta Scacchi
- Director: Robert Altman
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Fine Line Features
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 124 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: Language and some sensuality
- Award: Golden Globe
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Inclusion information powered by
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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