R.I.P.D.
May this movie rest in peace.
Should You Watch It?
R.I.P.D. has a few funny moments, especially through Jeff Bridges’ performance as the reckless cowboy Roy. The movie also presents protecting human life from dead souls as a worthy goal and treats crooked police work as wrong.
But those limited positives are overwhelmed by poor writing, unlikeable characters, boring action, subpar special effects, strong profanity, sexual references, and violence. The story borrows heavily from movies such as Men in Black and Ghostbusters without matching their quality. Its spiritual ideas are also confused, replacing God with “the universe” while avoiding meaningful religious reflection.
The practical answer is simple: skip it.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESNick is a Boston police officer who dies and is sent from the netherworld back to Earth. He joins the Rest In Peace Department, an organization tasked with catching dead souls hiding among the living.
Nick is partnered with Roy, an old cowboy and veteran officer. Together, they investigate a conspiracy involving an ancient artifact and a plan that could unleash hell on Earth.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means this film has only a few entertainment strengths and substantial filmmaking problems. Jeff Bridges brings some funny moments and entertaining quirks to Roy, but the story is poorly written and the characters are difficult to like.
The movie seems to copy elements from Men in Black and Ghostbusters without borrowing their quality. Its premise receives little explanation, the action becomes boring, and the CGI and special effects are subpar. Overall, the film offers almost no redeeming qualities.
The Worldview
The movie presents a strong pagan worldview. It clearly includes hell and dead souls, but avoids Christian references and replaces God with “the universe.” A higher authority called “Eternal Affairs” is mentioned, yet this important part of the story remains unexplained. An ancient artifact is used to magically unleash the dead souls of hell on Earth.
The film does contain a few light moral themes. Nick regrets being a crooked cop, and the story treats that wrongdoing as worthy of hell. Nick and Roy also believe they should protect the Earth so human life can continue. Still, the filmmakers miss opportunities to develop these ideas into meaningful moral or spiritual moments.
The movie’s central spiritual confusion is that it recognizes judgment and hell while refusing to identify God or explain ultimate authority. Scripture gives a clearer account of sin and its consequence: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong pagan worldview, light moral themes of protecting humans from dead souls and also being a crooked cop is seen as hell worthy, shell is a major aspect of the movie because the main character was on his way to hell, but God is replaced with “the universe,” and Christian references are avoided, an ancient artifact is used to magically unleash all the dead souls of hell on earth, it’s also mentioned that global warming is caused by dead souls hiding on earth; 30 obscenities, 7 strong profanities and the middle fingers is used 3 times; strong action violence include scary monsters getting shot, one pulls its arm off to get out of handcuffs, others get hit by cars and fall off buildings, men take quite the beatings, but since they are already dead their bodies are durable, so they aren’t harmed, a woman is stabbed with a metal stake, and blood pours out, the monsters look like grotesque deformed humans, one monster vomits; sexual content includes man being straddled by his wife in bed who is only wearing a shirt and underwear, they kiss and sex is implied, pornography is mentioned, several sexual jokes are made, man many times weirdly ogles women's ankles; man’s earthly identity is a young blonde woman who wears a tight forming cleavage bearing dress, man's wife in her underwear with a shirt on, upper male nudity and partial male rear nudity; no drug use; and, man is a crooked cop who regrets his actions, a man says a racist joke.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film presents Nick’s regret over crooked police work. What is the difference between feeling regret and turning from wrongdoing?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · Proverbs 28:13The story replaces God with “the universe.” Why does it matter who has authority over life, death, and judgment?
Acts 17:24–31 · Hebrews 9:27The movie treats protecting human life as a good goal. Why does Scripture say human life has value?
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 139:13–14The film imagines dead souls hiding among the living. What does the Bible teach about death and the hope beyond it?
John 11:25–26 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14The Final Word
A few funny moments cannot rescue poor writing, boring action, confusing spirituality, and offensive content. For your time, your conscience, and your family, SKIP IT. Consider these family-friendly alternatives instead:
