Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bullets and profanity fly in feminist friendship comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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The Spy Who Dumped Me
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a raunchy and violent comedy that often mixes humor with intense action scenes, which some viewers found inappropriate for younger audiences due to nudity and harsh language. While many found it hilarious and entertaining, especially praising the performance of one of the lead actresses, there is a consensus that it is best suited for older teens and adults due to its graphic content.
- violent comedy
- inappropriate content
- funny performances
- best for older teens
- strong language
- graphic scenes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME, Audrey (Mila Kunis) believes she can't finish anything she starts. So when she learns that her ex-boyfriend, Drew (Justin Theroux), is actually a CIA agent who's being chased by assassins, she's determined to finish his assignment to save lives -- including her own. Audrey and her best friend, Morgan (Kate McKinnon), hop a plane to Europe, winging a plan to infiltrate the spy ring. The deeper they get, the more unclear it becomes who to trust, the more severe the consequences, and the more they realize that they're kind of good at this spy gig.
Is It Any Good?
This often hilarious action comedy is a great pick for a ladies' (not girls' -- it's not for kids!) night out: The fun is increased exponentially by how many friends are watching with you. McKinnon has established herself as a master of character creation, and Morgan is her most down-to-earth (but still hysterical) personality yet. And Kunis is credible as an everywoman, making an over-the-top situation relatable. Writer-director Susanna Fogel lets viewers play along, evaluating the decisions they might make in those circumstances.
Stories about female friendship often have a moment in which women have a rift or a misunderstanding that must be resolved. Fogel avoids this cliché, demonstrating that real women are much more about encouragement and support than tearing each other down or leaving each other behind. What's most notable is that time is devoted to point out the strengths of all the women, even the female villains. Fogel uses the big screen to show that women can be tough and capable without sacrificing their femininity -- the tough female assassin is just as comfortable on the runway as she is toting a machine gun. It's not just Audrey who learns she can do anything; by making this movie, Fogel proves that women can clearly succeed in areas it's been believed they "can't" -- including writing and directing a violent action-adventure comedy that features beautiful cinematography in exotic locations.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether The Spy Who Dumped Me defies gender stereotypes by depicting women in a variety of roles. How does it compare to other action/spy movies? Do you think it's beneficial to see women in "bad guy" roles? Why or why not?
Audrey and Morgan don't know who to trust, but they work well together to try to do the right thing. How do their communication skills enhance their teamwork?
How does the violence in The Spy Who Dumped Me compare to what you might see in movies more focused on action than comedy? Does the movie's tone change the impact of the content? Does exposure to violent movies make kids more aggressive?
Do you think the movie's strong language has a purpose? Do curse words make lines funnier? Would the movie have worked without as much swearing?
Audrey has a lot of self-doubt. Where do you think that thinking comes from? Do you have friends who think that way? What do you do to encourage them?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 3, 2018
- On DVD or streaming : October 30, 2018
- Cast : Mila Kunis , Kate McKinnon , Sam Heughan
- Director : Susanna Fogel
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Lesbian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Teamwork
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, language throughout, some crude sexual material and graphic nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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