ENEMY OF THE STATE
A tense surveillance thriller with adult-only content.
Should You Watch It?
ENEMY OF THE STATE is an exciting thriller with a strong central warning: unchecked government surveillance can destroy a person's privacy, reputation, family, and career. Gene Hackman's mysterious ex-spy gives the second half real energy, and Will Smith's character eventually finds a clever way forward.
The movie's weaknesses matter. The story becomes predictable, some situations are unconvincing, and Smith does not persuade as either a high-powered lawyer or a typical middle-class family man. Most seriously, the heavy foul language dilutes the movie's moral warnings.
Adults who can handle the content may find this a fun, tense ride. For family viewing, choose something else. The practical answer: watch it only if you are an adult prepared for its strong content.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESRobert Clayton Dean is a high-powered labor lawyer whose life changes after a chance encounter with an old friend. Suddenly, a rogue State Department official is tracking Dean while trying to conceal a deadly crime.
With his privacy, career, and family life under attack, Dean turns to Brill, a mysterious ex-spy and underground information broker. Together, they face a confusing world of surveillance, eavesdropping, and government power.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a fairly exciting thriller with real entertainment value, but also predictable and unconvincing elements. The chase scenes keep the movie moving, and Gene Hackman's Brill propels the second half beyond the average action thriller. Watching Brill guide Dean through the harsh, confusing world of government surveillance is often fun.
The movie also gives Dean a clever solution to his predicament. But the climax ends in a conventional shootout, and the plot contains familiar devices and situations that do not always make sense. Smith is unconvincing as a rich lawyer and family man, which keeps the film from becoming more than a solid thriller.
The Worldview
ENEMY OF THE STATE is a basic tale of good and evil with a mildly moral worldview. It warns against domestic government surveillance and the misuse of power. The film’s central concern is privacy: people should think carefully about what they do in public and in private because someone may be watching.
There is nothing particularly religious about the movie. Its moral framework is built around an innocent man trying to escape evil men, rather than around explicit faith or biblical redemption. The warning about surveillance is appropriate, but the film’s heavy foul language weakens the force of that warning. Its depiction of moderately pagan lifestyles is also part of the worldview presented.
The film’s concern with being seen can point beyond human surveillance to God’s complete knowledge of every person: “O LORD, you have searched me and known me!” (Psalm 139:1).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Mildly moral worldview of an innocent man trying to escape evil men with moderately pagan lifestyles shown; 82 obscenities & 19 profanities; moderate level of action violence including numerous chase scenes, man drugged, murdered woman’s body discovered, man on bicycle hit by truck, building explodes, several car crashes, & bloody shootout at end; brief scene of woman pleasuring Congressman & brief mentions of sex; upper male nudity & women in underwear; alcohol use; smoking & man drugged; and, miscellaneous immorality such as rogue government officials.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film warns about government surveillance and the misuse of power. What protections should people have for their privacy, and what responsibilities come with power?
Micah 6:8 · Proverbs 11:3Dean is treated as guilty and has his reputation attacked before the truth is known. Why does Scripture warn us against false testimony and rushing to judgment?
Exodus 20:16 · James 1:19The movie says that what we do in public and private may be seen. How should God’s knowledge of our lives shape our choices?
Psalm 139:1–4 · Luke 12:2–3The Final Word
ENEMY OF THE STATE offers adults a tense, entertaining warning about surveillance and government power. Its predictable plot and unconvincing lead are outweighed by its exciting chases and Gene Hackman’s strong presence—but the language and other content are not for children or young teens. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For family viewing, see.
