Parents' Guide to

Burn Out

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Tedious French action film has violence, language, drugs.

Movie NR 2018 107 minutes
Burn Out Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Burn Out Movie: Scene #1
  • Burn Out Movie: Scene #2
  • Burn Out Movie: Scene #3

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age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

Alexander W.
Alexander W. Adult
September 14, 2023
age 16+

See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

BURN OUT follows Tony (Francois Civil), a young French motorcycle racer who has a part-time job at a warehouse while he trains to gain a spot on a prestigious racing team. Just when it looks like he might get a break, he learns that his ex-girlfriend Leyla (Manon Azem), who is the mother of his son, has agreed to hold drugs for a local dealer for some extra money. When the drugs she held are stolen, she's beaten by the gang, which is run by Miguel (Olivier Rabourdin) and his henchman, Jordan (Samuel Jouy). Leyla's life is in danger until she can pay Miguel back. Tony asks his childhood friend Moussa (Narcisse Mame), who is a lower-level drug dealer, for advice, but although he's told to stay out of it, Tony confronts Jordan and Miguel. They tell him if he does two months of speeding -- nighttime motorcycle deliveries of cash and drugs -- he can work off her debt. Miguel is merciless and doesn't seem to care that by forcing Tony to speed, he's taunting the police to chase him on his runs. Somehow Tony evades them, but on his last run, Jordan orders him around once too many times and Tony snaps. A beating and shooting ensue, and Moussa has to step in to save Tony and his ex-girlfriend from Miguel. Just when it seems everything is OK, Tony foolishly and inexplicably puts himself back in danger.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Unless you love motorcycles, the movie is bound to feel tedious and repetitive. Burn Out is a generic chase film, start to finish. Fans of violent video games, full of such chases and shoot-outs, may enjoy the back and forth, but some scenes seem designed to do nothing more than set up Tony getting on his bike and riding as fast as he can, whether he's racing other guys at the track, evading the police, or running from drug dealers.

Tony doesn't demonstrate much in the way of brain power: His life is drudgery and he acts like a robot. So it's downright exciting when he comes up with an actual idea an hour and 20 minutes into the film. The suggestion that he can mastermind a takeover of Miguel's drug empire for his friend Moussa seems fantastical. Nothing earlier in the movie prepares for this moment of enlightenment in the slightest way. But hey. The film feels unintentionally funny when Miguel says he won't mingle with "Arab" drug dealers. They're the "scum," he claims, even though he's the guy dealing drugs and shooting people he doesn't like.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Tony's protective instincts in Burn Out. Does it seem wise for him to try to negotiate over his ex-girlfriend's debt with violent drug dealers? What else could he have done?

  • Tony tries to do a good deed to protect his ex and his child, but he's helping drug dealers, who hurt many people with their product. Does the good he's doing outweigh the bad?

  • How does this compare to other action movies you've seen?

Movie Details

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