Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, drugs, death in very funny doomsday movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
This Is the End
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Based on 50 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is hilarious and entertaining, with many viewers declaring it one of their all-time favorites despite its raunchy humor and graphic content. The strong language, drug use, and over-the-top violence are frequent points of discussion, and while it carries a message about friendship and selflessness, many emphasize it is definitely not suitable for children due to its explicit material.
- hilarious
- crude humor
- strong language
- graphic content
- friendship message
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Seth Rogen picks up Jay Baruchel at the Los Angeles airport, hoping to show him a good time during his stay. They smoke some pot, play some video games, and then go to James Franco's house for a huge party. Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, and other popular comedy actors are there. Jay seems uncomfortable and wants to leave, but suddenly, quakes rock the city, and blue lights beam down from the sky. Monsters start rampaging as flames lick the countryside. In Franco's house, the survivors try to make the best of their situation, but unfortunately, Danny McBride has crashed the party and is now making quick work of their provisions. If this is judgment day, can these actors learn to be good people before it's too late?
Is It Any Good?
This enjoyable comedy extravaganza is a remarkable mix of monsters, visual effects, vulgar humor, and feel-good optimism. Rogen and writer Evan Goldberg, who previously teamed up on the screenplays for Superbad, Pineapple Express, The Green Hornet, and The Watch, make their co-directing debut here. At first, the novelty of watching these actors play "themselves" is good fun in itself, but eventually they turn into truly interesting characters (and probably quite unlike their real selves). As with other Rogen/Goldberg movies, this one eventually focuses on a "bromance," i.e. two guys' attempt to work past their differences and establish a lasting friendship. Amazingly, it's also about redemption and trying to become genuinely good people. Rogen and Goldberg successfully keep the jokes organic and flowing, escalating the stakes and the surprises throughout and creating a comedy for the ages in the process.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about This Is the End's apocalyptic violence. How does it affect the movie's flow and tone?
How does the movie portray drinking and drug use? Are there any real-life consequences?
Is the movie scary? Are the monsters scary? What about the end of the world?
How close do you believe these characters are to the real-life actors? Why do you think they all opted to play versions of themselves?
Why are there so many movies about the end of the world? What makes that topic interesting and/or relevant?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 12, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : October 1, 2013
- Cast : James Franco , Jay Baruchel , Seth Rogen
- Directors : Evan Goldberg , Seth Rogen
- Studios : Columbia Pictures , Sony Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude and sexual content throughout, brief graphic nudity, pervasive language, drug use and some violence
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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