Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language and violence in generic female-led action thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
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Wildcat
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In WILDCAT, Ada (Kate Beckinsale) wakes in the night to find her brother Edward (Rasmus Hardiker) and daughter Charlotte held at gunpoint by intruders. The masked men kidnap her daughter, leaving Edward to explain that he owes £500,000 to some of the most dangerous players in London's criminal underworld. Ada must rely on her special forces background, and gather her old team—fellow operatives Curtis (Bailey Patrick) and ex-lover Roman (Lewis Tan)—back together for one final job where the personal stakes are higher than ever.
Is It Any Good?
There's something very British about the gritty settings, (attempted) dark humor, and relentless physical violence in this action thriller from Tower Block director James Nunn. The concept of Wildcat isn't as interesting as his 2012 debut, which used the claustrophobic setting of the inner city high rise to great effect. Here, there's a fairly run-of-the-mill story about an ex special forces op pulled out of "retirement" when things get personal. The setting invites viewers into a shady underworld of warring criminal organizations, estates abandoned by police and taken over by violent gangs, and a bondage club that feels thrown in purely to titillate and further sexualize its star. The way characters walk from setting to setting, guns blazing, from one (seemingly random) physical altercation to the next has a video game feel at times. And the script's clumsy exposition and attempts at humor only serve to enhance that notion. Beckinsale's sleek action prowess has been proven in the Underworld series, and she continues to deliver on that level here, but elsewhere interaction can feel a little stilted, and some accents don't quite convince. For those who appreciate a strong female lead without too much digging into how she's presented, and enjoy a good violent kill, this will likely offer a fairly mindless 99 minutes that ticks the boxes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Wildcat. Most scenes included violence or threat of violence. Did you think there was too much in the movie? Do you think prolonged violence can lose impact and leave audiences desensitized?
Discuss the use of strong language in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
How were women portrayed in the movie? Did you think any of them made positive role models? Were they respected by the men around them? Did you think the central character was sexualized more than a male action star might be?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 25, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : November 25, 2025
- Cast : Kate Beckinsale , Lewis Tan , Rasmus Hardiker
- Director : James Nunn
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Aura Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong/bloody violence, pervasive language, and some sexual material
- Last updated : November 24, 2025
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