A Dark TruthMovie Reviews

No
Avg. Critic Score: 31 out of 100 Generally unfavorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
15 Iffy for 15+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 50
    Variety | Justin Chang

    A self-serious eco-thriller assembled with a competent but heavy hand, A Dark Truth decries corporate corruption and Third World oppression in an all-too-obvious manner. Read full review

  • 40
    The Hollywood Reporter | Frank Scheck

    Interweaving clumsily staged action sequences with endless pontificating about evil mega-corporations privatizing public resources, the mediocre environmental-themed thriller A Dark Truth wears its good intentions on its sleeve. Read full review

  • 38
    The Globe and Mail (Toronto) | Rick Groen

    A lightweight flick about a heavy-duty subject, A Dark Truth plays like a TV movie back in the days when TV wasn't worth watching. Read full review

  • 30
    Village Voice |

    The film's heart is in exactly the right place, but there's not a brain in its pretty little head. Read full review

  • 30
    Los Angeles Times | Gary Goldstein

    For all the attempted intrigue and mayhem, the film is dullsville, mired by a poky script, unremarkable action and, the hard-working Garcia aside, uninspired performances. Read full review

  • 25
    Slant Magazine | Michael Nordine

    A Dark Truth is one of those unfortunate projects whose component parts are immediately at odds with one another. Read full review

View more reviews for A Dark Truth on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 15+ Generic thriller has plenty of dead bodies, few surprises.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that the bad guys in A Dark Truth are business executives trying to hide a huge blunder that left an entire South American village massacred. They'll stop at nothing to keep the truth buried, but ex-CIA operative Jack Begosian (Andy Garcia) is just as determined to expose them. Expect plenty of violence in this corporate thriller, including a few disturbing images of people being shot and stabbed, as well as the central massacres, an unexpected suicide, and suggested rape. Language is infrequent but includes "bulls--t"; there's some drinking and smoking and a few product placements.
  • Families can talk about A Dark Truth's message. Do you think corporate executives in the real world are willing to go as far as the ones in this movie when it comes to maximizing profits?
  • Is it always important to do the right thing in the face of deception? Can you think of other movies with this theme?
  • Why did Jack leave the CIA? And what motivates him to take this job?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: The movie's main take-away is that corporate greed is taking over the world, and faceless multinational conglomerates will do whatever it takes to make sure their deals go through -- even if they have to massacre an entire village to hide a deadly accident. On the other hand, some characters do try to do the right thing, even if doing the right thing is dangerous.
  • rolemodels true2 Positive role models: Jack is determined to reveal the truth about a deadly massacre, even if it requires risking his own life and standing up to a powerful and ruthless corporation.
What to watch for
  • violence false4 Violence: Plenty of people die -- in shootouts and hand-to-hand combat, via self-inflicted gunshots, and in two massacres of innocent civilians by soldiers. There's a good bit of blood and a few close-ups of people being killed, including an unexpected suicide. One scene features soldiers about to rape a young woman.
  • sex false0 Sexy stuff: A strained married couple kisses.
  • language false2 Language: Infrequent swearing includes "bulls--t."
  • consumerism false2 Consumerism: Some well-known brands are visible, including a Ford SUV and an Apple laptop. The movie's whole premise is that corporate greed is destroying the world.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1 Drinking, drugs and smoking: One person drinks a beer in a bar; another smokes an occasional cigarette.
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