Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sandler gambling drama has lots of swearing, gun violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Uncut Gems
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 35 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is an intense and chaotic drama that features a relentless plot centered on morally ambiguous characters, making it unsuitable for younger audiences due to its copious use of profanity, depiction of violence, and adult themes. While some viewers praised the strong performances and high-tension storytelling, many were turned off by the overwhelming negativity and lack of likable characters, leading to division among audiences regarding its value as a cinematic experience.
- intense drama
- adult themes
- strong performances
- overwhelming negativity
- unsuitable for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie showcases a complex and intense performance from Adam Sandler, highlighting themes of gambling, addiction, and personal turmoil, while also being criticized for its pervasive use of strong language and explicit content. Many viewers appreciate the film as a stark departure from Sandler's typical comedic roles, calling it both a modern masterpiece and a stressful watch that is clearly not suitable for younger audiences.
- intense performance
- strong language
- gambling themes
- not for kids
- modern masterpiece
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In UNCUT GEMS, New York jeweler Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is on the brink of a major windfall, having secured a precious block of rare black opal. He's fully leveraged himself, so he tries to balance collectors, his family, and professional relationships in hopes that his conniving and intuition will result in the ultimate win.
Is It Any Good?
Writer-directors/film festival favorites the Safdie brothers place Sandler inside a cacophony of stress, danger, and annoyance in this tense crime drama. Uncut Gems is an assault of the senses: It has a loathsome central character, unsteady camera work, a thunderstorm of profanity and yelling inside a world of antagonistic relationships, and an out-of-place early-1980s synthesizer score. The elements work against each other. The whole movie feels almost like an exercise in seeing how much an audience can tolerate, including how it plays into negative stereotypes. Favors were surely called in to cast key roles, and while former NBA superstar Kevin Garnett comes off just fine playing himself, you have to wonder why The Weeknd would accept a role that shows him snorting coke, sexually pressuring a woman, and getting beaten up by a 48-year-old schlub.
Sandler isn't new to playing obnoxious or even objectionable, but he does stretch his chops here, plunking down a memorable "ugly cry." That aside, his character's behavior is such a horror show that he misses the mark. No empathy can be felt for this pathological gambler. Ratner is supposed to be charismatic—a word easily used for Sandler—but it's impossible to understand why anyone would trust him, work for him, do business with him, or be his friend. The Safdie brothers add a clever touch, working in a gradual awareness that the film's hero is also its villain. First, it becomes obvious that Ratner is his own worst enemy. But slowly we realize that Ratner's enemies are actually, in some ways, his victims. It just feels like viewers become victims as well, robbed of more than two hours of their life. Ratner's wife, Dinah (Idina Menzel), might as well be speaking for this viewer when she tells her soon-to-be-ex, "I hate being with you. I hate looking at you. I never want to look at you again." Amen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about gambling in Uncut Gems. What's the difference between making bets for fun and a compulsion? What are the long-term effects? What does the movie suggest is the psychological appeal of gambling? Where might you go for support if you or someone close to you suffered with a gambling addiction?
How does the film depict drug, alcohol, and tobacco use? Is substance use glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
What do you think of the filmmakers' use of "street casting" (using untrained actors in roles similar to their real selves)? What did you think of how Kevin Garnett and The Weeknd allowed themselves to be portrayed? Why do you think they agreed to do the film?
Sandler's films often carry a message of learning to value family and friendships. Do you think this film carries a similar message? What do you think are the takeaways?
Did you notice any stereotypes in the film? Why do you think filmmakers often rely on stereotypes? Why is it damaging to see them unchallenged on-screen? Does it matter if it's filmmakers and actors from the same marginalized community creating these portrayals? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 13, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : March 10, 2020
- Cast : Adam Sandler , Idina Menzel , Julia Fox
- Directors : Benny Safdie , Josh Safdie
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : A24
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 135 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive strong language, violence, some sexual content and brief drug use
- Last updated : February 1, 2026
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