A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Positive Messages
some
While movie deals with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, ultimate message is that life has more to offer than we may think -- we just need to hang in there and be open to what it brings us. Cranky people likely have a painful reason behind their rude behavior. Themes of love, loss, compassion, finding family in unexpected places.
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Positive Role Models
some
Marisol, an immigrant and mother, is persistent, caring, unapologetically herself. Neighbors, co-workers, and people Otto comes into contact with are remarkably patient and cheery despite his rude behavior.
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Diverse Representations
some
Positive characters who are diverse in terms of age, gender, race, disability, and economics. Focus on issues related to aging, including forced retirement, loss, and health problems. Title character, director, and writer are all White men, but a Latino family is the heart of the film; the matriarch is a Mexican immigrant (played by Mexican actor Mariana Treviño) who frequently speaks in unsubtitled Spanish. Significant supporting characters with disabilities. Transgender character shares his struggle with family acceptance.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Several suicide attempts (hanging, carbon monoxide poisoning, shooting, train) that fail in ways that are depicted as humorous; ultimately, the character comes to understand that life has much to offer him, and he has much to offer others. Vehicular accident with bodies strewn about; strong emotional consequences. Hostile but humorous behavior from main character toward small animals. Peril when a person falls onto railroad tracks. Road rage incident: driver pulled out of vehicle.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
A married couple's love story is told from beginning to end in flashbacks. Kissing.
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Language
some
Strong language includes "bastard," "crap," "goddamn," "pr--ks," "s--t," "son of a bitch," "suck," and "what the hell." Cranky character calls people "idiots" and calls the neighborhood stray "stupid cat."
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See AlsoA 19-year-old called 911 in a crisis and ended up dead. For advocates, it’s a call for a better way of policing | CNN‘A Man Called Otto’ Review: Tom Hanks in a Predictable but Touching Portrait of Grief and ResilienceA Man Called Otto (2022)7 Kindness Lessons from "A Man Called Otto" - Patricia MakatsariaGet started
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Products & Purchases
a little
Recurring joke about men who identify with certain car brands, so vehicles are highlighted with close-ups on the ornament or logo.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Tom Hanks produced and stars in A Man Called Otto, an ultimately life-affirming dramedy that deals frankly with suicidal ideation. Adapted from Fredrik Backman's bestselling book and the Academy Award-nominated 2015 Swedish film A Man Called Ove, it centers on a man named Otto (Hanks), the epitome of the cranky "get off my lawn" type, who wants to end his life as a matter of efficiency. The movie presents a series of humorously interrupted attempts at his death via suicide (using a rope, asphyxiation, a gun, etc.), all of which lead to the point at which Otto realizes that, while his wife and career are gone, life can still be fulfilling. The movie encourages giving others grace, since you may not be aware of what they're going through. The residents in Otto's housing complex are diverse in terms of age, gender, race, economics, disability, and health, and they're the definition of "neighborly." Otto is counterbalanced by Marisol (Mariana Treviño), a positively portrayed Mexican immigrant mother of two who moves in across the street. In addition to Otto's attempts at ending his life, there's a road rage incident. Otto is impatient with others and calls them "idiots," "bastards," and "pr--ks." Other language includes "s--t" and "goddamn." Characters kiss. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
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A Man Called OttoOfficial trailer -
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A Man Called Otto
Community Reviews
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- Parents say (24)
- Kids say (23)
age 16+
Based on 24 parent reviews
Isaac T. Adult
January 21, 2023
age 18+
Multiple Realistic and Long-Form Depictions of Suicide
The entire plot of the movie is centered upon 4 separate suicide attempts. Each is long-form, drawn-out, and realistic, with depictions of the initial setup, and imagery of the actual execution. The first attempt involves Otto attempting to hang himself in his living room, the second is him filling his car with carbon monoxide by routing exhaust from his engine, the third is him standing on train tracks, and the last is him attempting to blast his head off with a shotgun. I'm not one to place heavy restrictions on violent content — the blood and gore in most movies is not based in reality. However, the extremely realistic portrayal of suicide is not fitting for most audiences, and is irresponsible to distribute to anyone not yet emotionally mature. For this reason, the film should only be available to those who are over 18 and willing to endure such depictions. Do not see this movie unless you are comfortable with seeing intense and realistic depictions of suicide.
mominhouston Parent of 12, 14 and 16-year-old
January 7, 2023
age 13+
Could be triggering to those with mental illness
This is a feel good movie about a man suffering from depression after the death of his wife and how he learns to find joy in living again. There are four suicide attempts by him, which could be triggering to those who suffer from mental illness or have an experience with loss or a mentally ill loved one. Please know your children’s emotions and triggers before watching this movie.
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See all 24 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Tom Hanks is A MAN CALLED OTTO, the neighborhood crank who has no tolerance for those who don't follow the rules. After retiring and the loss of his wife, Otto feels he has nothing else to live for. But his pesky neighbors keep interrupting his attempts to end his life.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (24):
Kids say (23):
With this remarkably warm and fulfilling film, Hanks and director Marc Forster pull off the impossible: making a family-friendly suicide comedy. Even though the 2015 Swedish original starring Rolf Lassgård was quite successful, after watching A Man Called Otto, it feels impossible to picture anyone else in the starring role. Hanks' grumpy old man trumps all of those who came before him: Clint Eastwood, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, etc. He's so beloved that every rude thing he says is likely to make you laugh, and Forster smartly balances the crankiness by surrounding Otto with warmhearted souls who return his barbs with a knowing look and a smile: Yep, that's Otto! They don't take his mean streak to heart, and it allows viewers to go on the journey and care about him.
While we might understand that Otto "is something special," he's also the dark to the light that is Marisol (Mariana Treviño), the very pregnant woman who moves across the street from Otto. She's a flutter of radiant energy that just refuses to be pushed aside by Otto's hostility. And she's just one strong example of positive diverse representation in the film. The residents in Otto's townhouse complex represent "community" in every sense of the word: They're a family in their own unique way, with residents from all stages and walks of life who look out for each other in good times and bad. While Otto's suicide attempts do make the film too mature for younger children, it's a strong choice for movie night with teens and grandparents.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how A Man Called Otto plays on viewers' compassion. How can we practice patience for those who exhibit bitter behavior while also not indulging unacceptable treatment?
How does the movie portray depression and suicidal ideation? What should you do if you're worried about a friend or family member? What resources are available to help both kids and adults? (If you or someone you love is in crisis, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.)
Even though Otto is impatient and unkind, did you find yourself rooting for him? What skills does Hanks use to make Otto likable and vulnerable?
Talk about the diversity represented in Otto's neighborhood. Does this accurately reflect real life? Why is positive representation in the media important?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 30, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: February 28, 2023
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Mariana Treviño, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo
- Director: Marc Forster
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Columbia Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Book Characters
- Character Strengths: Compassion
- Run time: 126 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: mature thematic material involving suicide attempts, and language
- Last updated: April 20, 2024
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A Man Called Otto
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