Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Entertaining fifth Indy movie has some shocking violence.
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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say that the latest film in the series offers thrilling action and adventure but is characterized by excessive violence that some find off-putting. While many enjoy the entertainment value and humor, others feel it disrespects the iconic character and lacks the charm of earlier installments, making it more suitable for older children.
- excessive violence
- thrilling action
- character disrespect
- suitable for older kids
- enjoyable for many
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY opens with a sequence set at the end of World War II, with Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his friend Basil (Toby Jones) trying to rescue an ancient religious artifact from the Nazis. What they find instead is half of Archimedes' Antikythera mechanism, a mechanical dial that's said to bring untold power to whoever possesses and masters it. Indy tangles with sinister Nazi scientist Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), but he and Basil manage to escape with the dial. Years later, in 1969, Dr. Jones is freshly retired from teaching when he receives a visit from Basil's daughter, Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), who's eager to get her hands on the dial. But why, exactly? Indy quickly finds himself caught up in yet another adventure as the truth unfolds.
Is It Any Good?
This satisfying fifth (and presumably final) Indiana Jones adventure hits all the right beats, understanding that these movies have always been about more than just chases and fights. Directed by James Mangold, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has some of the same flavor that he brought to his earlier movies about seasoned adventurers (3:10 to Yuma, Logan), and plenty of soul. Ford, 80 at the time of the movie's release, is allowed to look and feel his age (while climbing a stone wall in a cave, he complains about his aches and pains). And yet the stunts and action are all very much still exciting, with Waller-Bridge more than holding her own. A pair of flashbacks that use de-aging digital technology to give us a younger Indy are nearly seamless, too.
One of the best things about the Indy movies is that they revel in scenes set in musty old libraries or storage rooms and delight in the piecing together of 1,000-year-old puzzles -- and this one is no different. These beats provide rests between chases and build the characters. Even though Mangold goes long with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, at 154 minutes, the pacing largely feels right. We really get the sense of just who Indiana Jones is here, what his history is, and how he feels about things. Now that his story is well and truly told, he's still our hero, but we feel like part of his family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Do you agree with Indy that historic artifacts belong in museums? What are today's best practices around preserving cultural treasures?
How are drinking and smoking portrayed here? Are they used casually? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
How does this film compare to the previous Indy movies in terms of positive diverse representations?
If you had a Dial of Destiny, how would you use it?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 5, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : December 5, 2023
- Cast : Harrison Ford , Phoebe Waller-Bridge , Mads Mikkelsen
- Director : James Mangold
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 154 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of violence and action, language and smoking
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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