Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Graphic violence, language, drugs in intense action mystery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Wrecking Crew
What's the Story?
In THE WRECKING CREW, when a man (Brian Keaulana) dies in a hit-and-run on a Hawaiian street, the circumstances of his death bring his estranged sons, James (Dave Bautista) and Jonny (Jason Momoa), back together. The brothers are opposites—James is an orderly Navy Seal with a family, and Jonny is a hard-drinking former cop with a history of leaving messes, so much so that his girlfriend (Morena Baccarin) has just dumped him. Their investigation brings up long-buried feelings between them. It also angers violent local gangs and unveils a far-reaching conspiracy that will impact their family and their local Hawaiian community as a whole.
Is It Any Good?
Although the promise of muscly action is sure to draw plenty of viewers, this film sails when it lets its characters behave like real, emotion-driven humans and not just trained killers. The complicated relationship between Momoa and Bautista, playing brothers, and the noir-ish mystery they're pursuing, takes The Wrecking Crew to a more interesting place than the action scenes—no matter how professionally choreographed and filmed these are. There is suspense, a rocking soundtrack, a gorgeous backdrop, and unique characters. By the end, you're into the world created here. But that makes the insistence on extended killing sprees to tie up loose ends less satisfying—not to mention intentionally disturbing. Then again, some viewers may feel the opposite.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Wrecking Crew. Did it ever seem gratuitous or like it went too far? Or was it necessary for the story? Why?
What do Jonny and James learn about themselves, each other, and their personal demons over the course of the film? How does this awareness help them mend their relationship?
The film is set in Hawaii and touches on a variety of different local cultural aspects. Can you name any you noticed? Where could you go to learn more?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 28, 2026
- Cast : Dave Bautista , Jason Momoa , Claes Bang
- Director : Angel Manuel Soto
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Prime Video
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Family Stories
- Run time : 128 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, sexual material, pervasive language and some drug use
- Last updated : February 15, 2026
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