Is it too violent for a 10-year-old?

It's on the edge. While there isn't much 'blood and guts,' the psychic attacks are depicted as physically painful, involving screaming and blood coming from eyes or noses. If your 10-year-old is sensitive to 'body horror' or people in pain, wait a few years.

Why did critics hate it so much?

Critics in 2009 found the plot confusing and the editing too frenetic. It was released during a time when every movie was trying to be The Bourne Identity. If you can get past the jumpy camera work, the actual story is much better than the reviews suggest.

Does it have a 'happy' ending?

It's a win for the protagonists, but it's not a 'sunshine and rainbows' ending. It leaves the door wide open for a sequel that never happened, so be prepared for a bit of a cliffhanger feel.

Is there any 'adult' content I should worry about?

There's a scene in a club with some suggestive dancing and a character who 'pushes' someone into a romantic attraction, which is a bit creepy when you think about the consent side of it. Otherwise, it's mostly just sci-fi peril and occasional swearing.

Push

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2009

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Before he was Captain America, Chris Evans was a 'Pusher' in this gritty, psychic-warfare thriller that’s basically X-Men without the spandex.

6.1/10

23%

42%

→

Push

movie

PG-13, 2009

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Before he was Captain America, Chris Evans was a 'Pusher' in this gritty, psychic-warfare thriller that’s basically X-Men without the spandex.

6.1

23%

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6.1/10

23%

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Screenwise Verdict

Push is a 'mid' movie with a high-tier concept. It’s the kind of thing that would have been a massive hit as a Netflix series today, but as a 2009 movie, it feels a bit cramped and messy. The critics absolutely trashed it, but if your kid loves the idea of secret societies and psychic 'classes,' there’s enough here to keep them engaged.

It hasn't aged perfectly—the cinematography is peak 'Bourne-clone'—but it’s a fun alternative for a family movie night when you’re tired of the same three franchises. Just don't expect a masterpiece. It’s a vibe, not a classic.

Age Fit

This is a firm 13+ pick. It’s not that it’s 'inappropriate' in a sexual or profane way, but the gritty tone, the violence, and the complex plot are designed for a teen audience who can handle a bit of edge.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a gritty revenge story centered on government assassins and psychic warfare. While there's a loose 'found family' element between the leads, the tone is cynical and the world is fairly bleak.

Imaginative

The psychic power system is the movie's best feature. Categorizing powers into 'Pushers,' 'Watchers,' 'Bleeders,' and 'Sniffers' creates a clever, internally consistent logic that's more interesting than your standard superhero fare.

Safe

Standard PG-13 action violence, but it leans into the 'gritty' side. Expect gunplay, psychic-induced brain hemorrhages (nosebleeds), and some intense chase sequences. No significant sexual content, but the underworld setting feels mature.

Enriching

Mostly a style-over-substance action flick. It doesn't offer much in the way of ethical complexity or personal growth beyond basic survival and sticking it to the man.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The world-building is surprisingly deep, with a cool taxonomy of psychic abilities that feels more grounded than typical Marvel movies.
The Hong Kong setting gives the movie a vibrant, neon-drenched aesthetic that stands out from the generic American cities usually seen in sci-fi.
It's a great pick for kids who are over the 'polished' superhero look and want something that feels a bit more underground and indie.
Dakota Fanning turns in a strong performance as a clairvoyant teen, avoiding the typical 'damsel' or 'annoying kid' tropes.

⚠

What to Watch For

The shaky cam and fast-cut editing are very 2009 and can be genuinely headache-inducing for some viewers.
Psychic attacks often result in gory nosebleeds or characters screaming until their blood vessels pop—it's more 'body horror' than 'laser beams.'
The plot is notoriously convoluted; if your kid isn't paying close attention to the rules of how the powers interact, they will be lost by the forty-minute mark.

Conversation Starters

"If you could have one of the psychic powers from the movie—like being a Sniffer or a Pusher—which would you pick and why?"
"The Division thinks it's okay to experiment on people for the 'greater good.' Where do you draw the line on government secrets?"
"Cassie's drawings of the future are always changing. Does that mean the future is set in stone, or do we actually have a choice?"
"Why do you think Nick was so hesitant to help at first, and what finally changed his mind?"

Deep Dive

The 'X-Men' Alternative

By 2009, we were already starting to see the superhero fatigue that would eventually dominate the 2020s. Push was an attempt to do something different: a superhero movie that felt like a spy thriller. It swaps out capes for hoodies and leather jackets, and it swaps out saving the world for just trying to survive the night in Hong Kong.

What makes it work—and why it still has a cult following—is the power system. Unlike most psychic movies where people just throw things with their minds, Push treats abilities like a deck of cards. You have Pushers who can plant memories, Watchers who see the future (but only if the future doesn't change), Bleeders who use sonic vibrations to shatter glass and eardrums, and Sniffers who can track you by the 'scent' of your history on an object.

For a kid who loves RPGs or tactical games, this logic is catnip. It turns the action scenes into puzzles rather than just 'who can punch harder.' However, the movie suffers from its era. The 'shaky cam' trend was at its peak, and some of the CGI has definitely seen better days.

If your teen liked Chronicle or the more grounded parts of The Umbrella Academy, this is a solid Saturday night watch. It’s also a fun look back at Chris Evans before he became the face of the MCU; you can see the leading-man charisma starting to bake, even if the script doesn't always give him much to work with.