THE MEG
A goofy, thrilling shark adventure with a heroic heart.
Should You Watch It?
The Meg is not trying to be Jaws. It is a hokey, often goofy creature adventure that offers laughs, thrills, and a giant shark worthy of the screen. Viewers who expect serious drama or polished writing may be disappointed, but those looking for a popcorn movie should find plenty to enjoy.
The film’s strongest quality is its positive message about heroism, bravery, and sacrifice. Jonas has been branded a coward after a past rescue went wrong, yet he repeatedly risks his life to save others. That moral center gives the movie more heart than its weak writing and forced serious dialogue might suggest.
The cost is content. There are 16 obscenities and five profanities, along with scary moments, moderate violence, peril, and many deaths. For teenagers and adults, especially those who enjoy creature features, it is worth the trip; for younger children, parents should use discernment.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESA team of scientists exploring the deepest parts of the ocean discovers a hidden underwater world believed impossible. Their excitement turns to terror when a prehistoric megalodon shark escapes.
The scientists call on Jonas Taylor, a deep-sea rescue diver with a troubled reputation, to help. Now he must face a giant shark capable of destroying anything in the water.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a mostly enjoyable film with clear weaknesses. The Meg delivers exciting and scary moments, and the shark makes a worthy villain. Its size, speed, and ability to bite a humpback whale in half create genuine thrills, especially for viewers already afraid of the water.
The writing is weak, and the movie openly embraces its hokey premise. The cast’s chemistry never fully develops, while serious and somber dialogue often feels forced. Still, the humor and action work well enough for a fun creature-feature experience.
The Worldview
The Meg presents a strong moral worldview with redemptive elements. It celebrates heroism, bravery, and sacrifice through Jonas, a rescue diver haunted by a past decision and dismissed by some as a coward. He proves that he cares about saving everyone by repeatedly putting his life in danger for others.
The film also includes an image of a Buddhist statue, light references to evolution, and references to “Mother Nature” knowing what she is doing. It carries a light anti-capitalist bent, portraying the billionaire funding the research as a greedy coward. These elements sit alongside the movie’s more positive moral emphasis rather than replacing it.
The film’s central message is that courage means risking yourself to save others. Scripture likewise calls believers to love sacrificially: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong moral worldview, with redemptive elements, promoting heroism, bravery, and sacrifice, plus an image of a Buddhist statue, some light evolution references and references to “Mother Nature” knowing what she’s doing, and light anti-capitalist bent with the billionaire funding the research being portrayed as a greedy coward
Foul Language
16 obscenities and five profanities (including one GD and one use of Jesus)
Violence
Moderate violence, with giant shark swallowing people whole, biting whales and other animals in half, attack vessels that result in humans being stabbed and injured, a severed arm is pulled out of the water, lots of peril and jeopardy, and many people die
Sex
Some light sexual innuendoes as there’s some longing looks between two characters, plus two men make a sexual joke when a scientist says the word “penetration”
Nudity
Upper male nudity with man in a bath towel, a scene takes place on a beach with many people in swimsuits
Alcohol Use
Drinking, and implied drunkenness
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Some cowardice ends badly
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Jonas is judged by his past decision, but his later actions show courage and sacrifice. How should we respond when someone is known for a past failure?
Galatians 6:1–2 · James 2:13The film portrays bravery as risking your life to save others. What does sacrificial love look like in ordinary life?
John 15:13 · Philippians 2:3–4Jonas is haunted by the people he could not save. How can guilt be faced honestly without letting it define you?
Psalm 34:18 · 1 John 1:9The scientists’ discovery unleashes danger they did not fully understand. What responsibilities come with knowledge and power?
Proverbs 14:16 · Luke 12:47–48The Final Word
The Meg is a goofy but mostly fun adventure with exciting thrills and a worthwhile message about bravery and sacrifice. Strong language, scary moments, and shark violence call for discernment with younger viewers. For teenagers and adults seeking popcorn entertainment, WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP.
