Gone Baby GoneMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Gone Baby Gone."

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Avg. Critic Score: 72 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
16 Iffy for 16+
Read Common Sense Media review

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

  • 88
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Gone Baby Gone is full of dark secrets, and how they unravel will keep you glued. Read full review

  • 88
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    There is a compelling ethical question raised skillfully that will haunt viewers. The poignant conclusion probably will incite debate. Read full review

  • 88
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    The result is a superior police procedural, and something more -- a study in devious human nature. Read full review

  • 80
    The Hollywood Reporter |

    It's a tribute to this thoughtful, deeply poignant, splendidly executed film that we replay the conclusion in our minds long after the lights come on. Read full review

  • 80
    The New York Times | Manohla Dargis

    One of the graces of Gone Baby Gone is its sensitivity to real struggle, to the lived-in spaces and worn-out consciences that can come when despair turns into nihilism. Read full review

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    A story so good that maybe anybody could have turned out something decent. Read full review

  • 70
    Washington Post | Stephen Hunter

    The movie is taut, fast, achingly authentic and terribly melancholy. Read full review

  • 70
    Variety | Lisa Nesselson

    Moral ambiguity is the real star of Ben Affleck's helming debut, Gone Baby Gone, an involving Boston-set tale of mixed motives, selflessness and perfidy in the wake of a 4-year-old girl's disappearance. Read full review

  • 70
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    By and large a notable piece of work, a strong directing debut by actor Ben Affleck that highlights attention-getting performances...But, as adapted from the novel by Dennis Lehane, this brooding, somber film is also ragged around the edges and not without problematic aspects. Read full review

  • 67
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Affleck the director shows excellent instincts, not least of which is letting his younger brother, Casey, hold the center as a young guy not as smaht as he thinks he is. Read full review

View more reviews for Gone Baby Gone on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+ Deeply affecting crime thriller for grownups.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this crime thriller (which is Ben Affleck's directorial debut) is so disturbing in spots that it may even make adults flinch. It doesn't shy away from the story's dark elements -- of which a 4-year-old's abduction is just the beginning. There's also neglect, drug use, barroom brawls, gunplay, murder, and plenty of strong language (including "f--k"). That said, older teens and grown ups who do end up seeing it will likely be able to look past the base, repugnant characters and appreciate the leads, who are compassionate and dedicated and fight for justice.
  • Families can talk about why people will want to see this movie -- because of the story, or because Ben Affleck directed it? Why do you think some actors choose to go into directing? Which role gives them more power within the media industry, and why? Families can also discuss how the media handles stories about missing people, particularly children. Do you think cases are covered differently based on their circumstances (i.e. a child being kidnapped from a tough, working-class neighborhood instead of a pretty, manicured suburb)? If so, why?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: This is a dark and dreary world, peopled by junkies, neglectful parents, drug dealers, corrupt cops, and morally bankrupt city officials. They lie and hurt to protect themselves and their livelihood, sometimes to the detriment of a child's life.
What to watch for
  • violence false5 Violence: Heavy and brutal, and a sense of menace pervades the film. Guns are trained on people at point-blank range and fired fairly frequently, killing more than one victim (one scene reveals what happens when someone is shot in the head). Realistic, painful barroom brawls. Crimes are perpetrated against children, who are also severely neglected.
  • sex false0 Sex: Some kissing and sexual innuendos, but nothing explicit. Some references to sexual acts.
  • language false5 Language: Strong and frequent, including "c--ksucker," "pu--y," jackass," and the always-popular "f--k."
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Nothing really obvious. Names of some drugs and the occasional store signage.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Viewers don't really see any explicit scenes in which characters shoot up or snort drugs, but there's lots of talk about it, including discussion of "bumping rails" (snorting drugs) in bathrooms and doing heroin. Plenty of drinking, especially in dark, seedy bars.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Looking for more reviews? Movies.com Critics Say:

Dave White

4.5

Dave White Profile See Dave White's Profile

… twisty, turny, a deep-down bummer … Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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