Common Sense Media Review
By Matt Cabral
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gripping thriller has great performances, gritty violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Old Man
What's the Story?
Based on the 2017 novel of the same name, THE OLD MAN stars Jeff Bridges as the titular aging former CIA operative Dan Chase. After living off the grid for three decades, Chase is sent on the run by old FBI frenemy Harold Harper (John Lithgow.) As Chase's mysterious past catches up with him, Harper -- as well as other antagonists -- aggressively pursue him with increasingly deadly means. In response, Chase calls on his old, albeit lethal, skills to not only survive and protect those close to him (including an adult daughter and new friend Zoe, played by Amy Brenneman) but also to leave a brutal, bloody path of death and destruction in his wake.
Is It Any Good?
Packed with spy-versus-spy thrills, bone-crushing action, and deliberate, but heart-pounding pacing, the series weaves a tight, compelling tale that'll continuously nudge you to the edge of your seat. Thanks to popular film franchises, like Taken and John Wick, the concept of older, outnumbered action heroes doling out vigilante justice has become an enormously popular sub-genre. The Old Man smartly builds on this reliable template, but also trades the more straightforward revenge tale formula for a more cerebral story of cat-and-mouse.
The solid storytelling is also significantly elevated by Bridges, whose nuanced performance makes you feel every single one of his 70-plus years with each facial grimace, emotional dialog delivery, and labored step he takes. Witnessing the actor's past-his-prime ex-CIA operative hold his own in incredibly raw, visceral physical altercations with adversaries half his age is worth the price of admission alone. Toss in stellar performances across the board -- not to mention a pair of loyal, butt-kicking canines -- and The Old Man easily delivers one of the summer's best reasons to stay in and stream.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the series' complex characters. Who are the good guys and bad guys? Do the protagonist and antagonist both display good and bad qualities? Who do you find yourself rooting for?
As an older protagonist, how does the main character compensate for his lacking physical prowess? Is physical strength more powerful than intelligence? Are the protagonist's methods of survival believable?
How is the story's central father-daughter relationship different from other family dynamics? How does the protagonist show his love for his daughter? How does she show her love for her father?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 16, 2022
- Cast : Jeff Bridges , John Lithgow , Amy Brenneman
- Network : FX
- Genre : Action
- Topics : Book Characters , Animals
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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