Parents' Guide to

Carnage

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Talky play-based film examines parental woes; some swearing.

Movie R 2011 80 minutes
Carnage Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 4 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 5-year-old
June 12, 2022
age 16+

Like a gloves off PTA meeting

Clearly a play...competent actors that know their way around each other, the set, and the material. There are certain turns that make sense in a play but in a film come off as a bit contrived. But the dialogue is stellar and seeing mild-mannered upper class New Yorkers go at each others throats is therapeutic as an audience member who has been in PTA meetings with many people like this. A slice of "regular" life and its ugly underbelly.
armadillo989
armadillo989 Adult
March 7, 2022
age 18+

An interesting film that takes place in one setting. Heavy language meant for adults.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Husband and wife Michael (John C. Reilly) and Penelope (Jodie Foster) have invited over another couple, Alan (Christoph Waltz) and Nancy (Kate Winslet), to discuss a most unfortunate incident: Alan and Nancy's son hit Michael and Penelope's son with a stick at a Brooklyn playground, injuring him. At first it everything seems to go well; everyone's civil and on their best behavior. But soon the meeting devolves into an airing of recriminations and regrets -- not just about what happened, but of marriage, parenting, and life in general.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (3 ):

We get to see four fine actors do what they do best here, and that may be this film's biggest offering. You can imagine that CARNAGE, in its original, Tony-winning stage version, would be thrilling to watch -- so quick is the patter, so witty the banter, so sharp the material. And all that's definitely still here. The film is incisive, breathtakingly well-acted (Foster is at her brittle, earnest best), and uproarious in many parts.

But well within the first half-hour, it feels limited by its setting: a living room in Brooklyn. It's so clearly a play that you can't help but be distracted by the staginess. Viewers who didn't know it was a play first will probably be particularly perplexed about why we're stuck in this one apartment; the only reprieve (and it truly feels like one) is when the couples briefly go out into the hallway. The dialogue is also sometimes a giveaway; it's expository, and everyone talks a lot.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays parenting. Are the characters good parents? How do they compare to other parents you've seen in the movies/on TV?

  • Are either or both sets of parents hovering too much over their kids? Or are they the opposite? Is either style better than the other?

  • Can you tell that this movie was based on a play? Do plays generally translate well to the big screen? Why or why not?

Movie Details

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