Trespass Against Us

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Trespass Against Us Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Uneven, violent drama about unlikable criminal family.

R 2017 100 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Kids say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

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 suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Trespass Against Us is a mature drama about a working-class criminal family in England. The patriarch made sure his adult son followed in his footsteps -- and now seems to expect his young grandson to follow suit. Language is constant and extremely strong (including "f--k," "c--t," and much more). There's also some fairly intense graphic violence -- fights, car chases, police raids -- not to mention several scenes of gangsters in action. While there isn't much in the way of sexual content, a fight scene does show a naked man's private parts. Characters also smoke.

Community Reviews

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

In TRESPASS AGAINST US, Chad Cutler (Michael Fassbender) is part of a well-known criminal family, but he wants to get away from the influence of his gangster dad, Colby (Brendan Gleeson), and take his own kids somewhere safe. They live in a ramshackle mobile-home park; Chad's wife wants to move to a real house, but he knows his father will object. Things get even more complicated after a big heist lands Chad on the most-wanted list, the kids get thrown out of school, and a landlord refuses to let them live in his house.

Is It Any Good?

This crime drama is an ultimately uninteresting story about a very unpleasant family. That's both surprising and disappointing, given the subject matter and cast. Yes, they're talented: As patriarch Colby, Gleeson is determined that his adult son remain part of his gang -- and it looks like he'd be happy to see his young grandson follow suit. Fassbender's Chad wants better for his wife and kids, but he doesn't seem to know how to make it happen, and watching the character struggle against his nature is tragic to see.

But we're given little reason to like anyone in Trespass Against Us, nor any reason to care what happens to them. In fact, given the atrocious parenting on display across multiple generations, some viewers might side with the cops and others who are trying to rein the Cutlers in, even though director Adam Smith clearly wants to make them the heroes of his film.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence in Trespass Against Us. How does it compare to what you've seen in other movies about crime/criminals? What impact did it have on you?

  • How does the movie's criminal family compare to the gangs we've seen in other movies, from mafia classics like The Godfather to the U.K. drama Legend? Do you think it's possible for someone to get out of this kind of life, especially if they were born into it?

  • How is Chad trying to make sure his kids have a better upbringing than he had? How successful is he? Do you consider him a good dad?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

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