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Parents' Guide to

The Rover

By Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Downbeat, violent post-apocalyptic Australian crime movie.

Movie R 2014 102 minutes
The Rover Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 18+

Based on 2 parent reviews

RobinAwe
RobinAwe Parent
March 29, 2016
age 17+

Not an upper - but incredibly moving and well done

This movie is for sure not for every older teen, but my son and I found it very good. The movie is violent to be sure, but this world after an economic collapse is an interesting one. Lots of good discussion afterwards with my son about what would happen in an economic downturn, and how a relative "innocent" (the character Rey) would manage to survive (or not) in this world when left without his brother and "gang", and how he nearly changes the main character. Although we had hoped for real change and a happier ending, it was a beautiful movie in some ways.
shimmer1
shimmer1 Parent of 3, 5 and 9-year-old
May 25, 2015
age 18+

A Complete Waste of Time

Writing the bad review of this title was worth more time than watching the actual movie. Pattinson does a good job convincing the audience that he is actually mentally challenged, if that is what the film is going for. However, the movie lacks a cohesive plot, the characters are flat and lack any depth, and the musical selection is terrible. When neither the scenery nor the dialogue give viewers something to hold on to, you may as well stop watching. I would recommend you spend your time somewhere other than in front of a screen where this movie is playing.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In a dreary future, after a global market crash, lowlifes, has-beens, and criminals from all over wind up in Australia. During a botched robbery, the gut-shot, simple-minded Rey (Robert Pattinson) is left behind by his brother. Unfortunately, the robbers make the mistake of stealing a car belonging to Eric (Guy Pearce), and he wants it back. Eric rescues Rey, planning to use him to find the robbers, and they hit the road. They travel through a desolate, baking-hot, dusty land filled with strange refugees and odd characters, with death and violence lurking at every stop. Eventually Rey will have to face his brother, Henry (Scoot McNairy), and decide which side he's on. And Eric will have to decide how many lives are worth whatever is in his car.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (5 ):

This is a spare, bleak story that relies on ambiguity and mystery. Made through the Australian film collective Blue Tongue Films, THE ROVER is the second feature film by director David Michod, whose Oscar-nominated Animal Kingdom was a great, complex, dense gangster film. This movie is almost the polar opposite. It's bound to remind viewers of The Mad Max/Road Warrior movies with its silences and baking-hot open spaces. When characters do speak, the language sounds lyrical and sometimes profound.

The dystopian setting is slightly problematic, since it tends to raise stray questions when audiences should be focusing on what's happening in any given moment. And the movie never settles on why Rey would willingly go along with Eric, although the mesmerizing presentation is enough to smooth over any plot hiccups. A spooky musical score by Antony Partos completes the package.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Rover's violence. How shocking is it? How many violent incidents take place on screen? Off screen? What's the difference in their impact?

  • How does the movie see the future? Is money the reason for our downfall, or is it something else? How can we avoid such a future?

  • What's the appeal of post-apocalyptic movies? How do they help us view the present?

Movie Details

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