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A Dark Truth Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

  • 2.0
    31

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    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

    out of 100

    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

  • 40

    out of 100

    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

  • 50

    out of 100

    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

  • See all A Dark Truth reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

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

    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

    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

    Sex: 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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