Parents' Guide to

Blue Beetle

By Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Loving family, intense scenes in DC's Latino superhero tale.

Movie PG-13 2023 127 minutes
Blue Beetle Movie Poster: A collage of the main characters

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 14 parent reviews

James H.
James H. Parent of 11-year-old
August 27, 2023
age 14+

Good character and visual style but not suitable for children.

I took my 11 year old and we left halfway through as he found the swearing and adult content too much (characters refer to genetalia several times, there's an overt drug taking reference, and constant use of swear words). There's a quite disturbing transformation scene also which he didn't like, and he's not the type of kid that gets scared or disturbed easily. Overall the story was good, but I could see how the family unit could also be overwhelming for children as they talked fast in and out of Spanish and English, all loud and quite volatile. For an example of a film that did this family dynamic and adult themes better but still suitable for families, go check out Transformers Rise of the Beasts.
burkeman
burkeman Parent of 14-year-old
August 29, 2023
age 13+

Great Fun

There was more swearing, which I expect in a DC movie, but it was more than I thought was necessary. And I am not a prude. Overall the film was very good for the non-epic story where a character gets introduced to us.
See all 14 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When Kord Industries board member Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) gives recent college graduate Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) the responsibility of protecting a mysterious package, he thinks he's on his way to getting a job where he can use his degree and help his family during a financially uncertain time. But the package turns out to contains the Scarab, a symbiotic alien biotechnology that transfers its powers to Jaime, transforming him into BLUE BEETLE -- whether he wants it or not.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (14 ):
Kids say (12 ):

A Latino superhero is long overdue in the DCEU, and this warm, funny adventure makes it worth the wait. Blue Beetle's plot points are pretty familiar -- Jaime Reyes' (Maridueña) origin story has a lot in common with that of Marvel's insect-powered character, Spider-Man. But there's a distinct difference for Reyes: He's not a lone wolf. While Peter Parker keeps his alter ego a secret, Reyes' family is 100% with him from the get-go. Jaime may be the Blue Beetle, but the Reyes family members are the legs that hold him up and allow him to run.

Other elements also help make Blue Beetle's story feel like a breath of fresh air in a packed superhero market. For starters, the location: Palmera City is to Miami as Gotham City is to New York, and, true to Miami, most of its residents are Latino. Soto uses the Reyes' story to illustrate the challenges of being a Mexican or Central American immigrant in the United States, from the fears that come with having undocumented family members, to the perseverance and bravery of those who risk it all to try to give their family a better life, to the love of a supportive extended family. Jaime's family is simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary: Sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo) goads him relentlessly but is his ride-or-die, Uncle Rudy (George Lopez, like you've never seen him before) is off-color and wacky but always comes through in a pinch, and Nana (Adriana Barraza) has a certain set of skills beyond cooking. Bottom line? Reyes isn't just the first DC film superhero who's Latino -- he's also the first movie superhero to show that while his physical power comes from his super-enhancements, his fortitude comes from a loving family.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Blue Beetle's significance as a Latino superhero. Why is representation important?

  • Director Angel Manuel Soto describes the movie's setting, Palmera City, as "a mixed salad of Latino cultures around the world." What elements of Latino culture or experiences are brought to light?

  • Compare Blue Beetle's origin story to that of other superheroes. What's similar? What's different?

  • How are humility, integrity, compassion, and courage demonstrated? Why are these important character strengths?

  • How are women depicted in Blue Beetle? How does this compare to their depiction in other movies in which the hero is male?

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