TANK GIRL
A rebellious sci-fi adventure with adult content and limited staying power.
Should You Watch It?
TANK GIRL has a lively premise and a distinctive visual style. Its short cartoon clips, backed by Heavy Metal and Rap music, give the movie a funky, fresh feel. The Kangaroo men provide some humor, and the story's central message — never give up, even when life treats you badly — has genuine appeal.
But the plot is weak, and little keeps the audience attached to the screen beyond a few humorous scenes. Rebecca's journey is also quite violent, even if the violence is not graphic or gory. The movie's worst principle is that violent behavior can help you get whatever you want.
Because the source rates the film −2 for Family Content and gives it only two stars, this is better saved for discerning adults at home. WAIT FOR HOME — ADULTS ONLY is the practical answer.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESRebecca is a vivacious young woman determined to buck the system. In a surreal world controlled by the all-powerful Water and Power, she is held prisoner and tortured severely.
Rebecca escapes with another female prisoner and sets out to fight back. Along the way, they meet the Kangaroo men, who become their allies in the struggle against the system.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means TANK GIRL has some entertaining and distinctive elements but does not hold together as a satisfying film.
The few humorous scenes, especially those involving the Kangaroo men, offer welcome energy. Short cartoon illustrations flash across the screen with Heavy Metal and Rap music, creating a funky, fresh visual identity. But the plot is weak, and the film gives the audience little reason to remain attached to the screen beyond those moments.
The Worldview
The movie centers on a rebellious young woman determined to resist an all-powerful system. It exalts perseverance, friendship, and the belief that people should not surrender when life treats them badly. Its message is essentially: never give up, and with help from friends, you can overcome even enormous obstacles.
The film also distorts that positive message by suggesting that people can get whatever they want through violent behavior. Rebecca and her allies fight to conquer and destroy Water and Power, making violence part of the path to freedom rather than treating it as a moral danger. The story's surreal world is also described as having a pagan worldview.
The film's central longing is freedom from oppression. Scripture calls believers to stand firm, but it also rejects vengeance: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God” (Romans 12:19).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Pagan worldview; 9 obscenities; extreme violence with machine guns & grenades; partial female nudity; and, occasional smoking.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Rebecca refuses to give up when she is imprisoned. What does perseverance look like when life is difficult, and where can we seek help?
Galatians 6:9 · Psalm 46:1The movie presents friendship as a source of strength. How can friends help us choose what is right rather than simply help us get what we want?
Proverbs 13:20 · Ecclesiastes 4:9–10The film suggests that violence can achieve freedom. What does Scripture teach about responding to evil without becoming ruled by vengeance?
Romans 12:17–21 · Matthew 5:44What is the difference between resisting injustice and taking personal power into our own hands?
Micah 6:8 · 1 Peter 2:23The Final Word
TANK GIRL has a fresh visual style, occasional humor, and an encouraging message about perseverance and friendship. Its weak plot, adult content, and troubling use of violence make it a poor family choice. WAIT FOR HOME — ADULTS ONLY. For safer family viewing, see.
