Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intense bullying, assault, language in revenge thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Wasp
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE WASP infestation that Heather (Naomie Harris) is battling in her kitchen doesn't sting as much as her crumbling marriage to Simon (Dominic Allburn). She sees the possibility of a solution in her former classmate, Carla (Natalie Dormer), who at different times was her best friend and her worst bully. The movie is based on the same-named play by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm.
Is It Any Good?
Contemplative and talky, with characters who are smarter than their decisions, this play-based thriller is as frustrating as a flying bug that you just want to swat. Swarming with etymological metaphors, The Wasp is actually a game of cat and mouse. Heather believes the best person to help her solve a problem is her former best friend-turned-bully, Carla. The issue is that there's no basis of trust to make it realistic that these women would agree to team up, which creates a hole of believability in the story.
Beyond that, there's a way to depict the sexual abuse of a child that makes viewers feel compassion, empathy, and understanding—and there's also a way that's too visceral. Director Guillem Morales chooses the latter route, and it's impossible to come back from that. No matter what the movie's subsequent twists and turns are; instead of creating a buzz of excitement, that directing choice leads to a greater desire to exterminate the whole production.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the bullying depicted in The Wasp. Do you think it could have been stopped before it got out of control? What should you do if you or someone you know is being bullied?
Explain the movie's tarantula hawk wasp metaphor. What is it saying about the beauty and brutality of the natural world? Should we expect the human world to be different?
If you were friends with young Carla and aware of her situation, what advice or help would you give her? If you were friends with young or adult Heather, what advice or help would you give her?
Do you think the characters' decisions are realistic? How can desperation lead to bad decision-making?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 30, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : October 12, 2024
- Cast : Naomie Harris , Natalie Dormer , Dominic Allburn
- Director : Guillem Morales
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Shout! Studios
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Bugs ) , Family Stories , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , Activism ( Gender equality ) , STEM ( Science ) , Superheroes
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence, sexual assault, and language
- Last updated : September 6, 2025
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