Honest Thief: What Parents Need to Know About This Liam Neeson Thriller
TL;DR: This 2020 PG-13 action thriller is pretty tame by Liam Neeson standards, with moderate violence, some strong language, and a surprisingly earnest redemption story. It's fine for most teens 13+, though younger sensitive viewers might find the gun violence and corrupt cop storyline intense. If your kid loved The Adam Project or can handle Spider-Man: No Way Home, they can handle this.
Honest Thief stars Liam Neeson as Tom Dolan, a bank robber who's stolen $9 million over the years but wants to turn himself in after falling in love. The twist? The FBI agents assigned to his case are corrupt and try to frame him for murder to steal his money. Now he's on the run, trying to clear his name while protecting his girlfriend.
It's basically a Liam Neeson action movie with training wheels—less brutal than Taken, more morally straightforward than The Grey. Think of it as "Liam Neeson Does the Right Thing: The Movie."
Violence
The action is surprisingly restrained for this genre. Yes, there are shootouts and fistfights, but the camera doesn't linger on gore or brutality. A few people get shot (some die), there's a significant explosion, and Neeson's character takes some beatings. The violence is more "network TV drama" than "John Wick."
What's shown: Gun violence with minimal blood, a building explosion, hand-to-hand combat, characters threatened at gunpoint.
What's not shown: Graphic injuries, torture, excessive blood or gore.
For context: if your teen has watched any Marvel movie or Stranger Things, this is comparable or milder.
Language
There's some strong language scattered throughout—a handful of uses of "shit" and "damn," plus one or two F-bombs (can't remember if they made the PG-13 cut or got muted). It's not constant or gratuitous, but it's there in moments of tension.
Sexual Content
Essentially none. Tom and his girlfriend Annie (Kate Walsh) kiss and clearly have a romantic relationship, but there's zero sexual content. They're shown in bed together fully clothed in one scene. That's it.
Substance Use
Some social drinking in bar scenes. No drug use, no one gets drunk on screen.
Themes Worth Discussing
Here's where it gets more interesting than your average action flick:
Redemption and second chances: The entire premise hinges on whether someone who's done bad things can change. Tom never hurt anyone during his robberies (he used bombs to clear buildings, not harm people), but he still stole millions. The movie asks: does love make us want to be better? Can we make amends for our past?
Corruption and institutional betrayal: The "bad guys" are FBI agents abusing their power. For some kids, this might be their first exposure to the idea that authority figures can be corrupt. That's worth a conversation.
Moral complexity: Tom is technically a criminal, but he's the hero. The FBI agents are supposed to be good guys, but they're villains. The movie doesn't present a black-and-white worldview.
Ages 13-14: This is right on target for the PG-13 rating. Kids this age who are comfortable with action movies will be fine. The violence isn't graphic, and the moral questions are actually age-appropriate—middle schoolers are starting to understand nuance and moral complexity.
Ages 15-17: Totally fine. They've likely seen way more intense content on Netflix or in other action films.
Ages 10-12: Probably too intense for most kids in this range, not because of content but because of tone. It's a slower-paced thriller with corrupt cops and moral ambiguity. Younger kids typically want clearer heroes and villains. Plus, the gun violence, even though not graphic, might be scary for this age group.
Sensitive viewers: If your teen gets anxious about gun violence or corrupt authority figures, maybe skip this one. The whole movie revolves around both.
The Good Stuff
- Positive messages about love and redemption: Tom genuinely wants to change his life and face consequences for his actions
- No gratuitous content: The PG-13 rating feels earned, not pushed to the limit
- Strong female character: Annie isn't just a damsel in distress—she makes smart decisions and holds her own
- Consequences matter: The movie doesn't glorify Tom's criminal past; he's trying to make it right
The Meh Stuff
- It's pretty formulaic: If you've seen one Liam Neeson action movie, you've kind of seen them all
- Predictable plot: Your teen will probably see most twists coming
- Not particularly memorable: It's fine entertainment, but it's not going to spark deep conversations or stick with them
The Conversation Starters
If you watch together (or your teen watches and you want to discuss after):
- "Do you think Tom deserves a second chance? Why or why not?"
- "What would you do if you realized someone in authority was corrupt?"
- "The movie shows Tom never physically hurt anyone during his robberies. Does that make his crimes less serious?"
- "How do you think Annie felt when she found out Tom's secret?"
Honestly? It's fine. Not great, not terrible, just... fine.
If your teen loves action movies and you're looking for something to watch together that won't make you cringe or have awkward moments, this works. It's competently made, the action is decent, and Liam Neeson does his reliable Liam Neeson thing.
But it's not going to blow anyone's mind. The plot is predictable, the dialogue is serviceable, and the whole thing feels like it was designed by committee to hit every beat of a standard action thriller. Your teen won't be quoting it at school or rewatching it multiple times.
Better alternatives in the same vein:
- The Adam Project (more fun, similar rating)
- Red Notice (lighter tone, more humor)
- Extraction (if they want more intense action and are old enough for R-rated content)
Honest Thief is a perfectly acceptable PG-13 action thriller that earns its rating without pushing boundaries. The violence is moderate, the language is present but not excessive, and there's essentially no sexual content.
For teens 13+, especially those who enjoy action movies, it's fine viewing. The themes of redemption and moral complexity are actually age-appropriate and might spark decent conversations. But it's not must-see cinema—it's more "rainy Saturday afternoon when nothing else sounds good" viewing.
If you're trying to decide whether to let your teen watch, ask yourself: are they okay with gun violence (shown but not graphic) and morally complex protagonists? If yes, go for it. If no, there are plenty of other action movies for teens that might be better fits.
And if your teen does watch and enjoy it? Great! You've got about 47 other Liam Neeson movies with similar vibes to explore. The man has a brand, and he sticks to it.