Alex Rider is a competent adaptation of the beloved book series that doesn't pull punches. It's a genuine spy thriller that happens to star a teen, not a sanitized kids' show with spy window dressing.

The good: It respects its audience's intelligence, delivers solid action sequences, and explores genuinely interesting ethical territory around youth, agency, and manipulation. If your kid loved the books, this is a faithful-enough adaptation that takes the material seriously.

The reality check: This isn't appropriate for younger kids who might be drawn in by the teen protagonist. There's real violence, real stakes, and some genuinely dark moments. The premise itself—adults recruiting and endangering a minor for espionage work—is ethically fraught and worth discussing.

It's entertaining enough for its target demographic (tweens to mid-teens), though it won't revolutionize the spy genre. Think of it as a solid gateway into more mature thriller territory for kids aging out of Percy Jackson but not quite ready for full-on adult spy fare.