Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this fact-based spy thriller probably won't be too appealing to most teens. It features some frank discussion of an FBI agent's supposed "sex perversions," with reference to tapes and Internet porn. There's also lots of deception, fretting about deception, and arguing about deception, as well as discussion of the effects of Hanssen's betrayals, including dead agents and national security breaches. A strictly Catholic agent demeans women in pantsuits (he calls them "Hillary" and "lesbians"). Following a couple of conversations about the FBI being a "gun culture," a tense, angry scene shows one man threatening to shoot another. Some language (one "f--k," plus other profanity like "s--t" and "damn").
Sexual
Content
References to Hanssen's "sex perversions" (online porn sites, adultery); Hanssen expresses dislike of "lesbians" (i.e. "unfeminine" women) on TV; image of Hanssen and wife in bed (she's in a slip; the scene later appears briefly on a tape that Hanssen is sending to a contact, and Juliana sees).
Violence
Discussions of agents who have died because of Hanssen's betrayals; brief images of bodies and blood; stash of weapons discovered in spy's car; shooting range scenes; climactic argument has one character shooting a gun at another repeatedly (missing, but threatening); final takedown involves an armed team.
Language
Some language, including one use of "f--k," as well as "hell," "dumbass," "bulls--t," and "goddamn it." Other colorful phrases include "pissing purple for a week," "take a s--t." Some homophobic language ("f-g").
Social
Behavior
Everyone lies: Spies spy on one another, deceive one another, and plan for one another's destruction. The protagonist discovers that it doesn't matter which "side" he lies for because he feels bad about lying, period.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Discussion of favorite drinks (vodka martini, scotch).