Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Weak spy drama has strong language, brief nudity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Wasp Network
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WASP NETWORK tells the story of a small group of people from Cuba who flee to the United States, leaving their loved ones behind. They begin helping other refugees survive the dangerous journey to freedom. Soon their efforts get them entangled with organizations working to bring democracy back to Cuba, and they're branded as traitors in their home country. When the U.S. government learns the truth about their activities, they're captured and imprisoned for many years. Will they ever see their home country again?
Is It Any Good?
Not even the talented cast can save this confusing mashup of what should be a very compelling spy story. The cast of Wasp Network does the best they can with a weak script, although there are two or three genuinely moving scenes. But the plot is very confusing, jumping around in place and time, and either glossing over or just plain skipping information that might help make things clearer. Most of the information about characters and events are told to us, instead of being shown to us by characters and their actions. There's even a long section in the middle where a narrator tries to tie everything together, but it only enhances the feeling that we're missing some key information somewhere.
It seems likely that if you have strong feelings about Cuba either way, they'll be a strong influence on your reaction to this movie. It's strongly pro-Cuba and pro-Castro, but viewers who can take that with a grain of salt and remain open to learning about another point of view will learn a bit about the history between the U.S. and Cuba. Strong language and brief nudity make it best for mature teens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the politics of Wasp Network. How do you think your opinion, if you have one, about Cuba's government affects what you think about the movie?
What about the strong language in the movie? Is it realistic? If it is, does that make it OK?
How can you find out more about the real Wasp Network, and about the history and culture of Cuba? Search online, or use your local library as a resource.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : June 19, 2020
- Cast : Penelope Cruz , Gael Garcia Bernal , Edgar Ramirez
- Director : Olivier Assayas
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism , History
- Run time : 123 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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