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‘Queen Bees’ Review: Mean Girls on Social Security

Jane Curtin, Loretta Devine and Ann-Margret rule their senior community in this conventional comedy-drama that doesn’t waste its cast.

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By Glenn Kenny

In what may be a first for cinema, “Queen Bees,” directed by Michael Lembeck, depicts a senior citizen using a mobile phone with no difficulty whatsoever. The senior in question is Helen, played by Ellen Burstyn, an independent woman who’s calling the living center for elders that keeps sending her brochures. In emphatic tones she tells the representative that she’s not moving from her house, which is pleasant but feels a little empty.

The problem is, she keeps locking herself out of her house. This habit, and Helen’s isolation as a widow, are of concern to her grandson Peter (Matthew Barnes) and of perhaps mercenary concern to her daughter Laura (Elizabeth Mitchell). When a kitchen fire necessitates repairs, Helen is compelled to move into that living center — on what she repeatedly insists will be a temporary basis.

Here she meets the “Queen Bees” of the movie’s title, a trio of imperious women, led by Janet (Jane Curtin), Sally (Loretta Devine) and Margot (Ann-Margret), who rule the community’s card room and cafeteria. When Sally tries to convince Helen to ingratiate herself with these power holders, Helen protests that this isn’t high school. Sally responds that it’s worse; in “high school we graduate. Here, we die.”

One needn’t bother to make a “Mean Girls” comparison, as the movie’s dialogue itself does. “Queen Bees” is a thoroughly conventional comedy-drama right down to its saccharine score by Walter Murphy. (Yes, the “ A Fifth of Beethoven ” guy.) That said, it does not waste its impeccable cast, which also includes Christopher Lloyd and a remarkably game James Caan as Helen’s love interest. Each of these stalwarts bring more than charisma to their roles, and when the writing itself displays some snap (which admittedly isn’t that often) the performers bite right into it.

Queen Bees Rated PG-13 for language, senior themes. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes. In theaters and available to rent or buy on Apple TV , Vudu and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators.

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Review: An AARP ‘Mean Girls,’ ‘Queen Bees’ gives Ellen Burstyn a welcome leading role

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For the opportunity to see the great Ellen Burstyn in a lead movie role, the buoyant, AARP-friendly comedy “Queen Bees” is alone worth the watch. The enduring, Oscar-winning star of such classic 1970s films as “The Last Picture Show,” “The Exorcist” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” as well as last year’s galvanizing “Pieces of a Woman” (for which she was egregiously overlooked at awards time), Burstyn brings her A-game to the role of Helen, a widow forced to temporarily move into a retirement village after a fire in her longtime home.

The pragmatic, independent Helen — described by her controlling daughter, Laura ( Elizabeth Mitchell , quite good), as someone who “burns most of her calories rolling her eyes” — hates the lovely Pine Grove Senior Community on sight, though takes solace in the fact that she’ll only be there for a month. (Uh, don’t take that time frame to the bank.)

But Helen really gets off on the wrong foot when she innocently runs afoul of the so-called Queen Bees, a feisty, tightknit trio — crabby ringleader Janet (Jane Curtin), amorous Margot (Ann-Margret, looking great) and puckish Sally (the always welcome Loretta Devine ) — who think they rule the roost. (“They’re like ‘mean girls’ but with medical alert bracelets,” Helen wryly notes.)

Still, a series of events, including a sudden need for Helen’s ace bridge skills, lead the “Bees” to befriend her and she’s soon part of the hive. Prepare for a bit of rough sledding, though, courtesy of the troublesome Janet.

Meanwhile, a charming widower, Dan (James Caan), pursues the hesitant Helen and a sweet romance develops. But can it last? It’s complicated.

The film, directed by Michael Lembeck (“The Santa Clause 2,” “Tooth Fairy”) from a script by Donald Martin (based on a story by Harrison Powell, a producer here) may not cover any blazingly new territory, features a few contrived obstacles and doesn’t sufficiently explain why Curtin’s Janet is so cruel. But it’s largely such a sincere and diverting look at growing older and how change remains possible — Helen’s journey is particularly well drawn — that it’s easy to forgive the film’s occasional missteps.

The engaging cast also includes Christopher Lloyd as a Pine Grove lothario with memory issues, French Stewart as the facility’s agenda-driven administrator, a nicely toned-down Alec Mapa as the resident masseuse, and a winning Matthew Barnes as Helen’s devoted, protective grandson.

'Queen Bees'

Rated: PG-13, for drug use, suggestive material and some language Running time: 1 hour, 41 minutes. Playing: Starts June 11, Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica; Laemmle Town Center, Encino; Laemmle Newhall, Santa Clarita; Laemmle Glendale; Laemmle Playhouse 7, Pasadena; also on Laemmle Virtual Cinema

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Common sense media reviewers.

Retiree romcom has wine, weed, and wink-wink humor.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Be open to trying new things; change can be good.

Helen is a great friend and grandmother: empatheti

Hard kick that's depicted as being justified. Some

Romance is a central storyline. A kiss. Frequent r

Language includes "a--hole," "boobs," "crap," "suc

In separate scenes, smoking pot and drinking wine

Parents need to know that Queen Bees is a romcom about getting out of your comfort zone, even if that zone is your own home. The cast is loaded with actors who will likely be familiar to older viewers -- including Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Jane Curtin, Loretta Devine, Ann-Margret, and Christopher Lloyd --…

Positive Messages

Positive role models.

Helen is a great friend and grandmother: empathetic, forgiving, fiercely independent. Sally stands up to her peer group to reach out to a newcomer, and they become great friends. Minimal diversity in casting.

Violence & Scariness

Hard kick that's depicted as being justified. Some sharp words exchanged. Bullying behavior.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Romance is a central storyline. A kiss. Frequent references to characters having sex, without using actual terms. A barely clothed male fitness instructor plays along with being objectified by the women in his class.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes "a--hole," "boobs," "crap," "sucks," "ta-ta." Insulting language, such as "bitch," "cow," and "idiots."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

In separate scenes, smoking pot and drinking wine lead to good times and a deeper relationship.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Queen Bees is a romcom about getting out of your comfort zone, even if that zone is your own home. The cast is loaded with actors who will likely be familiar to older viewers -- including Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Jane Curtin , Loretta Devine , Ann-Margret , and Christopher Lloyd -- and the content is better suited for adults than for family movie night. The residents at Pine Grove Senior Community are a randy bunch, and while no one uses any specific words, there's plenty of innuendo and some sexual references. There's also a barely clothed male fitness instructor who plays along with being objectified by the women in his class. The main character, Helen (Burstyn), is above it all in many regards, including limiting herself to one glass of wine. But she smokes pot with a friend, which is shown as leading to fun times and establishing a stronger bond. Language mostly takes the form of name-calling ("bitch," "a--hole"). To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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What's the Story?

Three years after the death of her husband, Helen's family is hounding her to sell her house and move to a senior living facility. When a kitchen fire forces the issue, Helen ( Ellen Burstyn ) agrees to a temporary stay at nearby Pine Grove Senior Residences. Her reluctance to settle in there is exacerbated by the QUEEN BEES, a clique of bullies that rules the retirement home. Not willing to return to high school politics at her age, Helen takes them on with the help of another new resident, Dan ( James Caan ).

Is It Any Good?

Just like the card game that brings its characters together, this run-of-the-mill film could have an upside: providing a bridge for conversation between generations. But while high schoolers might get a kick out of Queen Bees ' " Mean Girls for grandmas" premise, it's also disheartening to realize that we could go through our entire lives only to re-experience the high school social system that most of us couldn't wait to escape. And the "mean girls" angle isn't really as fresh as it feels: Remember when they used to be called "old biddies"? The clique is made up of archetypes straight out of The Golden Girls : snippy, intolerant leader Janet ( Jane Curtin ), lusty Margo ( Ann-Margret ), and sweet and sensitive Sally ( Loretta Devine ). Still, teens might enjoy the fact that Helen's grandson (Matthew Barnes) is her ally, and it's her daughter Laura ( Elizabeth Mitchell ) who's overbearing and trying to run her mom's life. That role reversal -- seeing the daughter being told to step back and let her mom just live her life -- is a different take.

Director Michael Lembeck is an old hand at TV comedies, with a few children's films in between ( The Santa Clause 2 and 3 , The Tooth Fairy ), so perhaps it's not surprising that his comedy about older adults has a somewhat misleading kiddo-welcoming sheen. The music, the lighting, and the setups all feel family friendly, and the effort does result in a multigenerational film that teens can watch with the grandparents without hitting too much iffy content. But even if you can put aside Grandma calling another woman a "bitch" and the residents of a retirement village behaving more like rabbits than spring chickens, the storyline just doesn't have much to offer children. Though at least they can take away the idea that trying new things can lead to meeting new people.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how Queen Bees portrays drinking and drug use . Are they glamorized? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?

Romantic comedies about aging people have become more common. Why do you think this genre and this audience were overlooked in the past, and why do you think it might be exploding now?

How does Helen rise above the treatment of the Queen Bees? What actionable lessons about dealing with bullies can we take away?

Talk about how being open to change and having new experiences can often lead to positive outcomes.

Movie Details

• In theaters : June 11, 2021
• On DVD or streaming : June 11, 2021
• Cast : Ellen Burstyn , James Caan , Loretta Devine , Jane Curtin
• Director : Michael Lembeck
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Black actors
• Studio : Gravitas Ventures
• Genre : Romance
• Topics : Friendship
• Run time : 100 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : drug use, suggestive material and some language
• Last updated : January 25, 2024

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‘Queen Bees’ Film Review: Ellen Burstyn Leads an All-Star Cast Determined to Elevate Meh Material

An impressive comic ensemble is the only reason to see this golden-age rom-com

A love story set in a retirement home is a sweet premise, and when you stack the cast with greats like Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Jane Curtin, Ann-Margret, Christopher Lloyd, and Loretta DeVine, greatness is expected. But in director MIchael Lembeck’s “Queen Bees,” the overly simplistic nature of the script becomes both pragmatic and detrimental, never allowing any character the depth they are owed while providing just enough of a formulaic plot, one that asks nothing more than for you to enjoy the ensemble. 

Helen (Burstyn) is an independent woman in her 80s whose daughter Laura (Elizabeth Mitchell, “Lost”) and grandson Peter (Matthew Barnes, “Strange Angel”) are getting worried about her living alone. The matriarch constantly refuses her daughter’s suggestions about moving into a nearby retirement community until the day Helen accidentally sets her kitchen on fire. She finally agrees to live in the retirement community, for one month, until her home repairs are completed.

Helen quickly learns who the mean girls of Pine Grove are by getting on the bad side of Janet (Curtin), while befriending Margot (Ann-Margret) and Sally (Devine). Soon Helen finds herself not only enjoying her time at Pine Grove but also starting to consider love again, after she meets and is wooed by the community’s newest resident, Dan (Caan).

From the visual style to the storytelling, “Queen Bees” envelops itself in simplicity, served up like a warm dish of comfort food that’s had some of the flavor microwaved out of it. Production designer Dara Wishingrad (“The Photograph”) paints Helen’s world in cool pastel tones — so much so that when warm hues appear in later scenes to emulate the feeling of falling in love, it feels like a different film, and not in an intentional way. Cinematographer Alice Brooks (“In the Heights”) sometimes shoots the retirement community to look like a hotel, which only contributes to the flatness of the relationships that are forming there.

The script by Hallmark veteran Donald Martin, based on a story by Harrison Powell, reads like wannabe early-aughts Nancy Meyers, with a less misogynistic “Taming of the Shrew” subplot. The lack of substance in the writing becomes most apparent in the portrayal of female friendships. Those relationships have always represented a complex dynamic, but “Queen Bees” — unlike similar films about women over a certain age, including “Something’s Gotta Give,” “It’s Complicated,” and “Book Club” — barely attempts to explore them with any kind of depth.

And while Devine is a gem in this film, bringing warmth and energy to every scene she’s in, it’s hard not to see her presence here as a kind of tokenization. Sure, her character has a backstory, but why does she align herself with three white women who call themselves “mean girls,” and why does she have no relationship at all with the only other Black woman in the film?

For all the superficiality and shortcomings of “Queen Bees,” the film’s biggest draw, and strongest attribute, is its packed ensemble of iconic actors. Burstyn and Caan create the kind of chemistry that will make audiences care about their relationship and whether or not it will come to fruition. It’s easy to see why these talented performers are still booking jobs in their 70s and 80s because even without strong material, they alone make the film worth watching. (Strange, though, that the producers missed the opportunity to exploit “Third Rock from the Sun” nostalgia by pairing Curtin and co-star French Stewart in a scene together.)

“Queen Bees” won’t win any awards, and it is far from being a classic rom-com, but it’s certainly a film to consider if you’re taking your grandmother out to the movies. If nothing else, it’s trying to shine a spotlight on some older characters — and older character actors — and one can hope more films like this get made, only with a better sense of what womanhood and friendship looks like in the golden years.

“Queen Bees” opens in U.S. theaters and on demand June 11.

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Where to Watch

Ellen Burstyn (Helen Wilson) Jane Curtin (Janet Poindexter) Loretta Devine (Sally Hanson) Ann-Margret (Margot Clark) Christopher Lloyd (Arthur Lane) James Caan (Dan Simpson) Alec Mapa (Lito Santos) French Stewart (Ken DeNardo) Matthew Barnes (Peter Crane) Ricky Russert (Pablo Leon)

Michael Lembeck

After reluctantly agreeing to move into a home for seniors, a woman encounters a clique of mean-spirited women and an amorous widower.

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Queen Bees’ On VOD, A Rom-Com Meets ‘Mean Girls’ In A Senior Community

Where to stream:.

• Stream It Or Skip It

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When you think Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Jane Curtin, Christopher Lloyd, Ann-Margret, and Loretta Devine, you probably picture their most iconic screen and stage moments from decades ago. In Queen Bees, now available on demand, this group of legends comes together in their 70s and 80s for a sugary-sweet comedy where mean girls run the halls of a senior community and it’s never too late to find love.

QUEEN BEES : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Helen (Ellen Burstyn) is sick of being sent brochures for senior living community Pine Grove. When we first meet her, she’s giving a staff member a piece of her mind over the phone, telling them to stop wasting paper on trying to convince her to move there. She’s content living in her family home alone, enjoying tea time with her grandson Peter (Matthew Barnes) and savoring her independence. When she locks herself out and inadvertently starts a house fire, however, Helen is forced to move into Pine Grove while repairs are done – a move she insists is only temporary.

While she is initially against the move, it seems like a better option than staying with her daughter Laura ( Lost ‘s Elizabeth Mitchell), as things have been tense between them for some time. Helen soon finds that Pine Grove isn’t as pleasant as one might guess, thanks to the “queen b’s”, a trio of women – Janet (Jane Curtin), Margot (Ann-Margret), and Sally (Loretta Devine) who run the halls of the community. While Helen adjusts to this new social hierarchy, she’s also being courted by the charming Dan (James Caan), who seems to know all the right things to say. Things may be difficult at first, but Queen Bees tells us it’s never too late – never too late to be kind, to open your heart to new experiences, to fall in love, to let the past go.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Queen Bees may bring to mind films like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel , Hope Springs , Then Came You , and even Book Club on occasion. And yes, the Mean Girls inspiration is made quite obvious, even if there isn’t much follow through. Queen Bees feels like a made-for-TV movie, so it will appeal to the lovers of Hallmark romances.

Performance Worth Watching: The entire ensemble delivers some charming performances, but I was most won over by Loretta Devine as Sally. She’s the first to appear at Helen’s doorstep with an olive branch, brushing off Janet’s bitchiness and imbuing every one of her interactions with warmth and a sense of humor. A standout moment comes when she asks Helen to get stoned after finding out some tragic news, and it’s so fun to watch Devine and Burstyn play off one another as they smoke in bed. Devine has one of those eternally dazzling screen presences.

Memorable Dialogue: A lot of the dialogue in Queen Bees is cheeseball, but I was tickled by this exchange between Helen and Sally: “This isn’t high school,” says Helen. “You’re right!” replies Sally. “It’s worse. High school, we graduate. Here, we die.”

Sex and Skin: There are some references to some of Arthur’s sexual stamina and his evenings with many a lady at Pine Grove, but not much else.

Our Take: Queen Bees , for all its clichés and predictability, charmed me. Maybe it’s because I have a soft spot for all of the performers, or because I’m a sucker for films about the elderly living their best lives (there need to be more!). Or maybe it’s just because films that are overly sentimental, well-intentioned, and feel like they’re made for TV are what the heart wants sometimes. You’ll likely be surprised by nothing in Queen Bees ‘s hour and 40 minutes, but who watches these kinds of movies to be surprised? We’re here for a balm of sorts, a journey that may pull out a few tears but is mainly here to warm our hearts and give us some peace of mind in this wild world of dark thrillers and loud action flicks. And that’s exactly what Queen Bees delivers.

With its corny score and formulaic script, Queen Bees could easily be written off had the cast been full of nobodies. It is a pretty forgettable story, and the film’s direction isn’t much better. But this is *the* cast! I mean, James Caan alone is enough to sell you. And none of them phone it in, either. They all are incredibly game for the entire story, giving as much to Queen Bees as they might give to The Godfather or The Exorcist . (Okay, maybe not that level, but they’re still fantastic). Moments that may otherwise have faded into the rest of the film’s syrupy story are elevated to a place that’s genuinely moving; I got a little misty when Margot finally got a peek into Arthur’s apartment, and when mother and daughter reconciled and had a good ol’ cathartic cry. Without this cast, it might have been eye-roll inducing, but they truly make it watchable. Queen Bees may not stay on the brain long past the time the credits roll, but it’s pleasant enough to warrant almost two hours of your time. It’s just that soothing!

Our Call: STREAM IT… if you’re into this sort of thing. Queen Bees may be too saccharine for its own good, but it is saved by lovely, convincing performances from an all-star cast.

Should you stream or skip #QueenBees (starring Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Jane Curtin, Ann-Margret, and Loretta Devine) on VOD? #SIOSI — Decider (@decider) June 13, 2021

Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines, hogging the mic at karaoke, and thirst-tweeting. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski .

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What You Need To Know:

In the comedy QUEEN BEES, Helen accidentally sets fire to her home. So, her daughter and grandson reluctantly convince Helen to move to the Pine Grove retirement community. Helen observes that Pine Grove isn’t unlike high school; there are popular people and outcasts. The top popular residents of Pine Grove are a group of women the community calls “The Queen Bees.” For a while, Helen is content moving at her own pace, but once she gets invited to an exclusive bridge game, Helen shows the Queen Bees she can hang with the best of them. Can her new friends and a new romance snap Helen out of her bitterness?

Despite some jumpy pacing and predictability, QUEEN BEES is laugh-out-loud funny and touching, with great acting by its veteran cast. The movie has a strong moral, redemptive worldview. It stresses caring for the elderly, kindness leading to companionship, saying “I’m sorry,” and friendship. This positive content is marred by about 20 obscenities and profanities, a light New Age comment, some innuendoes, and brief marijuana use. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution for QUEEN BEES.

Miscellaneous Immorality: Occasional gossip, minor character mentions he’s divorced, a clique of elderly women are sometimes rude and a little mean, trickery, some dysfunctional family portrayals, and brief poker playing.

More Detail:

Picture this – massages, speed dating, an indoor pool, prepared meals, and a lovely place to lay one’s head. Sounds appealing, right? Well, it does to most everyone, except Helen, who doesn’t want to move into this all-inclusive retirement community.

In the comedy QUEEN BEES, Helen accidentally sets fire to her home. Helen’s daughter and grandson reluctantly convince Helen to move to the Pine Grove retirement community. Once there, Helen observes that Pine Grove isn’t unlike high school; there are the popular people and the outcasts. The top popular residents in Pine Grove are a group of women the community calls “The Queen Bees.” For a while, Helen is content moving at her own place, but once she gets invited to an exclusive bridge game, Helen shows the Queen Bees that she can hang with the best of them.

Shortly after Helen starts to get settled, Frank moves into Pine Grove and starts to pursue her. Frank volunteers for all the same activities as Helen and doesn’t exactly shy away from her feisty behavior. Meanwhile, Helen remains adamant she’ll only be at Pine Grove for a month, until her insurance works out the home renovations from the fire. Helen’s grandson and daughter, though, tell her otherwise. This news bums out Helen to no end.

Thankfully, the Queen Bees and Frank encourage Helen that life at Pine Grove isn’t so bad. Will Helen succumb to their encouragement, or remain embittered about her new life?

QUEEN BEES is laugh-out-loud funny and can be enjoyed by all ages, but older viewers will especially find it hilarious. Also, the dialogue is very witty. As the two lovers, iconic stars Ellen Burstyn (THE EXORCIST and ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE ) and James Caan (BRIAN’S SONG, THE GODFATHER, ELF, and CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS) make a dynamic pair. For all its humor, QUEEN BEES also has some sobering comments about aging that add to the movie’s appeal and approachability. In terms of quality, though, QUEEN BEES seems a little predictable and struggles with a jumpy flow, but those are the only really noticeable flaws. QUEEN BEES functions similarly to the 2019 movie POMS or lewder cousin BOOK CLUB with Jane Fonda or even IT’S COMPLICATED with Meryl Strep.

QUEEN BEES has a strong moral, light redemptive worldview. It stresses caring for the elderly, kindness leading to companionship, saying “I’m sorry,” and friendship. There’s also a comment thanking God. One character makes an off-the-cuff New Age comment. Also, an elderly woman mentions one of her former husbands left her for a man. Regrettably, QUEEN BEES also has some other sexual innuendo, brief marijuana use and about 20 obscenities and profanities. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong or extreme caution, depending on the viewer’s maturity level and age.

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Queen Bees Parent Guide

The studio should market this film as a sleep aid rather than as entertainment..

Digital on Demand: Although Helen is fiercely independent, she's spending a month in a nearby retirement community while her home is remodeled. But once she's in, she finds a social world that she thought she left behind in high school.

Release date June 11, 2021

Run Time: 100 minutes

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The guide to our grades, parent movie review by keith hawkes.

Helen (Ellen Burstyn) has no intentions of selling her home and moving into a retirement community, no matter what her nosey daughter, Laura (Elizabeth Mitchell), has to say about it. Until, that is, she accidentally locks herself out of her house while cooking dinner and burns down her kitchen. Unwilling to live with Laura during the repairs, she agrees to spend a month in the Pine Grove facility. Once there, Helen finds that seniors homes are much like high school: cliquey and ridiculous, but without the hope of graduation. The resident popular group, spearheaded by the rude and controlling Janet (Jane Curtin) certainly seems intent on making her stay at Pine Grove as unpleasant as possible – but every cloud has a silver lining. In this case, the silver lining is Dan (James Caan), a charming resident who seems intent on giving Helen a good reason to stay…

That description should sound pretty familiar. This is, intentionally (I suspect) Mean Girls on Geritol. Unfortunately, the Geritol seems to have reacted poorly with the plot, and the movie is pretty constipated as a result. It isn’t aggressively terrible or infuriating or anything like that, but it is slow and more than a little dull. Maybe the filmmakers’ intention was to market this as a sleep-aid to the elderly. If that’s the case, it’s hugely effective. I finished the movie half an hour ago and I’m still yawning.

Unlike Mean Girls , there isn’t all that much content for viewers to be concerned about. Profanity is almost non-existent, and even the odd sex joke doesn’t go terribly far. This is the kind of movie you could take your grandmother to – which is good, because that’s the only real audience I can see for a movie like this. Maybe you just have to live in one of these communities for it to be amusing, or maybe I’m too young. But I’d like to put forward the possibility that the movie just isn’t all that funny. And for what they’re charging to watch it digitally at the moment, you can do a whole lot better. Maybe by the time you’re in a senior facility yourself the movie will be free and funnier…but that’s a big maybe.

About author

Keith hawkes, watch the trailer for queen bees.

Queen Bees Rating & Content Info

Why is Queen Bees rated PG-13? Queen Bees is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for drug use, suggestive material and some language.

Violence: A person is kicked and sat on. Sexual Content: There are several sexual jokes and references to anatomy and erectile dysfunction medication. People are seen playing strip poker without nudity. Profanity: There are occasional mild profanities and infrequent use of terms of deity. Alcohol / Drug Use: Adult characters are shown drinking socially and, on one occasion, smoking marijuana in a medical context.

Page last updated October 2, 2021

Queen Bees Parents' Guide

Helen is very resistant to the idea of moving into a senior living facility. Why? What are some reasons it would be good for her? How does she come to recognize her own limits? Why is it so difficult to acknowledge our limitations?

Related home video titles:

If you enjoy films about seniors, Poms sees Diane Keaton forming a cheering squad at their retirement community. Senior Moment , starring William Shatner and Christopher Lloyd, features a similar portrayal of ageing with even more failed jokes. A group of retired musicians live in a retirement home for musicians and old rivalries and longings come to the fore in Quartet.

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Not suitable under 13; parental guidance to 15 (adult themes, drug use, sexual references, lack of interest for younger viewers)

This topic contains:

• overall comments and recommendations
• details of classification and consumer advice lines for Queen Bees
• a review of Queen Bees completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 3 February 2022 .

Overall comments and recommendations

About the movie.

This section contains details about the movie, including its classification by the Australian Government Classification Board and the associated consumer advice lines. Other classification advice (OC) is provided where the Australian film classification is not available.

ACCM review

This review of the movie contains the following information:

• a synopsis of the story
• use of violence
• material that may scare or disturb children
• product placement
• sexual references
• nudity and sexual activity
• use of substances
• coarse language
• the movie’s message

A synopsis of the story

Helen Wilson (Ellen Burstyn) is a fiercely independent widow who is determined to remain in her own home, despite her daughter Laura’s (Elizabeth Mitchell) best efforts to put her into a senior’s home. Helen is in the early stages of dementia and repeatedly locks herself out of her house. On one occasion, Helen leaves a pan on the stove which starts a fire in the kitchen. Helen reluctantly agrees, therefore, to go into the home while her house is being repaired.

Once in the senior’s home, Helen encounters a group of mean women, generally known as the ‘Queen Bees’. Janet (Jane Curtin) is the leader of the group and a particularly embittered, unfriendly person. Sally (Loretta Devine) is quite gregarious, however, and is keen to befriend Helen, much to Janet’s dislike. Helen is a fearless person and is quite a match for the unlikeable Janet and she soon becomes accepted into the group. While at the home, Helen also meets Dan (James Caan), a widower who becomes quite enamoured with her. However, things are not all as they seem and Helen encounters a wide range of grief and happiness during her stay.

Themes info

Children and adolescents may react adversely at different ages to themes of crime, suicide, drug and alcohol dependence, death, serious illness, family breakdown, death or separation from a parent, animal distress or cruelty to animals, children as victims, natural disasters and racism. Occasionally reviews may also signal themes that some parents may simply wish to know about.

Ageing; Death and dying; Romance.

Use of violence info

Research shows that children are at risk of learning that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution when violence is glamourised, performed by an attractive hero, successful, has few real life consequences, is set in a comic context and / or is mostly perpetrated by male characters with female victims, or by one race against another.

Repeated exposure to violent content can reinforce the message that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution. Repeated exposure also increases the risks that children will become desensitised to the use of violence in real life or develop an exaggerated view about the prevalence and likelihood of violence in their own world.

There is some violence in this movie, including:

• Helen and Laura argue heatedly on several occasions.
• Laura argues with her son, Peter.
• A bikie steals Helen’s purse and the women chase after him. Sally kicks him ‘where it hurts’.
• Janet threatens to, “rip someone’s throat out”.

Material that may scare or disturb children

Under five info.

Children under five are most likely to be frightened by scary visual images, such as monsters, physical transformations.

In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes, there are some scenes in this movie that could scare or disturb children under the age of five, including the following:

• Nothing particularly scary for this age group.

Aged five to eight info

Children aged five to eight will also be frightened by scary visual images and will also be disturbed by depictions of the death of a parent, a child abandoned or separated from parents, children or animals being hurt or threatened and / or natural disasters.

In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes and scary visual images, there are some scenes in this movie that could scare or disturb children aged five to eight, including the following:

• Helen’s house catches on fire.

Aged eight to thirteen info

Children aged eight to thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic threats and dangers, violence or threat of violence and / or stories in which children are hurt or threatened.

In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes, there are some scenes in this movie that could scare or disturb children aged eight to thirteen, including the following:

• One of the characters has a heart attack and dies.
• Another character collapses with a stroke and is seen in hospital.
• One of the men at the home has dementia and his room is full of sticky notes to help him remember simple things.

Thirteen and over info

Children over the age of thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic physical harm or threats, molestation or sexual assault and / or threats from aliens or the occult.

• Nothing further of concern.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in this movie:

• Apple laptop.

Sexual references

There are some sexual references in this movie, including:

• Talk about a man being a wonderful lover but he needs Viagra.
• One of the women says she sleeps with a male resident 3 nights a week. She thinks she has to share him with other women.
• Sally complains about her sweaty ‘underboobs’ and how she has to clean them.
• One of the women’s five husbands left her for a man.

Nudity and sexual activity

There is some nudity and sexual activity in this movie, including:

• No actual nudity but the aqua-aerobics class is taught by a young man wearing only brief swimmers. At one time he strips off down to his underwear, playing strip poker with the women.

Use of substances

There is some use of substances in this movie, including:

• Helen and Sally share a joint and behave in a silly way.
• Drinking at home and at a party.

Coarse language

There is some coarse language in this movie, including:

• Screwing around

In a nutshell

Queen Bees is a romantic comedy about ageing while still enjoying life. The film is funny and serious at the same time, without being overly sentimental, and likely to appeal to a more mature audience. It is not suitable for children under 13 years, and parental guidance is recommended for children aged 13 to 15 due to adult themes and content.

The main messages from this movie are you’re never too old to fall in love and equally you’re never too old to make changes to your life.

Values in this movie that parents may wish to reinforce with their children include:

• Independence
• Acceptance and inclusivity.

This movie could also give parents the opportunity to discuss with their children attitudes and behaviours, and their real-life consequences, such as:

• Why was Janet such a mean-spirited woman? Her own family had disowned her but was that because she was so unlikeable or was she unlikeable because they had done so?

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Movie Reviews

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Jason Statham's 10 Action Scenes In The Beekeeper, Ranked By How Awesome They Are

• Clay effortlessly defeats the SWAT team outside the Nine Star building in a badass showdown of strength and skill.
• The final confrontation with the President's son felt a bit underwhelming, leaving viewers expecting a bigger bang in The Beekeeper.
• Clay displays his incredible combat skills and cunning tactics in intense and action-packed sequences throughout the movie.

The Jason Statham action thriller The Beekeeper was full of insanely awesome scenes and sequences that made it one of the most absurdly enjoyable action movies of 2024. With Statham as Adam Clay, a retired Beekeeper operative who used his former secret special agent skills to seek revenge on those who scammed an elderly woman out of charity funds, The Beekeeper had plenty of action scenes and memorable moments. Clay was a menacing anti-hero who had no issue with taking on criminal gangs, government agents, and, eventually, the President of the United States of America.

As an over-the-top action spectacle, The Beekeeper worked well, and its best action scenes were categorized by awesome attacks, dangerous denotations, and thrilling fight sequences. With a witty tongue-in-cheek script packed with bee-related puns, this Statham action movie proved the star has not lost any of his sting and can deliver enjoyable, mindless action movie fun. The best action scenes in The Beekeeper were truly awesome , as the stakes continued to rise while Clay fought for the good of the hive.

Taking Down The SWAT Team

Adam clay quickly took out several men at once.

The beekeeper Adam Clay encountered plenty of blockades as he sought justice against those who scammed the unsuspecting public, and by the time he made it to his second call center, the United States government had become involved. When Clay made it outside of the Nine Star building, he had no issue infiltrating the SWAT team, which had secured the perimeter. With ease, Clay took down the armed FBI forces and swiftly made his way into the building to confront the immoral phishing scammers who worked inside.

Clay’s casual nature as he confronted the SWAT and told them, “ If there was a back entrance, I would’ve used it ” before taking them down was pretty badass, but the scene lacked the awesome nature of the most exciting action sequences in The Beekeeper . With incredible skill, Clay took out the team with his bare hands as he kicked and punched his way into the building. While this scene featured some great fight choreography, it was just a brief glimpse of the carnage that Clay was capable of.

In The Presidents Office

Adam clays final confrontation.

Action movies like The Beekeeper slowly build toward their epic conclusion, with each scene getting more outrageous before the grand finale; however, Adam Clay’s final confrontation in the president’s office felt slightly anti-climatic. After having taken down countless scammers and government agents, the final showdown felt quick and underwhelming as Clay took out the president’s son, Derek Danforth (Josh Hutcherson), with ease and quickly escaped. While it felt like The Beekeeper was edging toward a showdown with FBI Agent Verona Parker (Emmy Raver-Lampman), this just never came.

It was great to see Clay escape and serve vigilante justice , but sadly, the showdown ended with a whimper rather than a bang. Clay made it out by jumping through a glass window and scuba diving away, which left the door open for The Beekeeper 2 , but it’s hard to shake the feeling that this ending could have been a lot more awesome. The main complaint about the climax of The Beekeeper was how few bees were involved and that Clay did not use a swarm of bees to assist him in his climactic confrontation.

Call Center (Again)

Adam clay proved he was more than brute force.

After having already taken out a multi-million dollar call center, Adam Clay was not done yet and proceeded to make his way to the Nine Star building and confront the next level of sinister scammers who had stolen over $2 million from the retired school teacher Eloise Parker (Phylicia Rashad.) With the SWAT team outside already defeated, Clay continued to cause carnage as he swung an employee across his office desk while Special Forces shot at him. As a quick-bullet-laden action sequence, Clay hid in the vents and waited for his moment to strike .

When Clay laced a noose around the neck of a Special Forces officer and hung him out to dry, it became clear to all the rest of his adversaries that he was no normal target. Clay’s awesome ingenuity and unstoppable determination made him an incredible force to be reckoned with, and scenes such as this were some of the most enjoyable aspects of The Beekeeper . As Clay hit the fire alarm and turned down the lights, he had no issue taking out Agent Matt Wiley (Bobby Naden) with a fire extinguisher as Agent Parker and her team charged the building.

At The Presidents Mansion

Adam clay was getting closer to the queen bee.

The beekeeper Adam Clay slowly made his way to the very top of the United States government as he took on the role of the Queen Slayer and carried out his plan to eliminate the president’s defective child. After making it to President Danforth’s beachside mansion, which was littered with an assortment of high society guests and Special Forces officers, Clay’s calm and calculated nature was in sharp contrast to the frantic panic of the FBI and Danforth’s criminal associates. As the forces sought to take out Clay, he detonated an explosion and continued his rampage.

The action scene at the presidents mansion gave Statham some time to shine and show why hes one of the greatest action stars working today.

The action sequence, in which Clay shot everyone in sight and went hell for leather to make it to the president’s office, was one of the most urgent moments in The Beekeeper . After outsmarting Lazarus (Taylor James) with his bomb and taking out practically all his adversaries, President Danforth and her son Derek realized that this would not end well for either of them. This fire-filled mission was heating up, and the action scene at the president’s mansion gave Statham some time to shine and show why he’s one of the greatest action stars working today.

A Hallway Showdown

Adam clays closest call.

Just before Adam Clay made it to the president’s office to complete his revenge plan, he was confronted by her crony Lazarus in the hallway, and they proceeded to have one of the best fights in The Beekeeper . As one of the few people who can claim to have previously killed a Beekeeper, Lazarus didn’t try to hide the fact that he “ got lucky ” and, in pursuing Clay, was hoping he could repeat this luck. However, it was quickly apparent that Lazaraus was outmatched , and Clay made quick work of his enemy before confronting the Commander-in-Chief.

Clay’s hallway fight with Lazarus was an epic battle as they fought in broken glass that Clay used to stab his enemy in the face. With brutal hand-to-hand combat, this awesome display of violence was Clay letting out all his aggression and the closest he came to being defeated throughout all of The Beekeeper . While, of course, Clay made it out in the end, he had a few battle marks, as Larazus did manage to stab him before being beaten to death with his own knuckle dusters.

Flight Of The Bumblebees

Adam clay swarms on his enemies.

For a movie called The Beekeeper , there were not nearly enough bees throughout its swift 105-minute runtime; however, the scene where Mickey Garnett (David Witts) and his wrecking crew confronted Adam Clay was the closest it got to an outright bee attack. As Mickey’s men shot at Clay’s bees and sent the hives swarming , it was clear that things would not end well for them. While the wrecking crew made their way through Clay’s bee barn, it was not long before Clay's awesome combat skills came to the forefront.

Mickey managed to get away after Clay used his signature move of cutting his fingers off, but the same cannot be said for his team, who were brutally murdered at the hands of this frightening beekeeper. As the climactic scene of the first act of The Beekeeper , this was just the beginning for Clay, as he would not stop now until he had made it to the very top. Here, Clay showed his skill for quiet takedowns, aggressive violence, and incredible hand-to-hand combat that laid the seeds for all to come.

Setting Traps

Adam clay has ingenious tactics.

While Adam Clay was not the stealthiest of action heroes, there was one scene where he showed off his skill for less confrontational means of taking out his enemies. After going through the Nine Star building and taking out hordes of FBI officers, Clay quickly set some traps that proved there was more to his talents than out-and-out brute force . As Clay carefully laced an elevator with explosive wiring, he set up one of the most awesome sequences in The Beekeeper that gave the Special Forces officers a surprise they did not see coming.

The over-the-top spectacle of The Beekeeper was on full display when the officers shot hundreds of bullets at Clay as he bided his time in the elevator shaft above their heads. The cool, calculated nature of Clay was apparent as he asked them, “ You done? ” before setting off a timed denotation. As the men sought to make their escape, they ran out of time; one was crushed by the elevator door, and the others were pulled by Clay’s rope to their deaths in one of the most awesome action scenes in The Beekeeper .

Smoking Out The Hornets

Adam clay was seeking vengeance.

Audiences were first exposed to the intense vengeance tactics of beekeeper Adam Clay when he confronted the scammers who had bankrupted Eloise Parker and caused her to end her own life. Clay showed that he was a man who was not to be messed with, as he announced to the call center employees that they would “ never steal from the weak or the vulnerable again ” before dousing the center in gasoline. This was one of the most action-packed scenes in The Beekeeper as the employees quickly learned that Clay was not joking and would all be killed in a blaze of glory if they did not immediately vacate the building.

While the smarmy call center boss, Mickey Garnett, tried to confront Clay, his efforts proved fruitless as he was told that the next phone call would cause the entire building to explode. This was the first major action scene in The Beekeeper , and it laid the groundwork for everything that would come after it. With a no-nonsense attitude and stern determination, Clay showed off all the characteristics of a classic action movie anti-hero who will stop at nothing to carry out his vision of vigilante justice.

The Beekeepers Meet

Adam clay easily took out his replacement.

Once it was revealed that Adam Clay was a retired ‘Beekeeper’ operative whose secret government organization was used to solve problems that were too dangerous for the CIA or FBI, it led to the question of who the current Beekeeper was. After Clay messed with the president’s son, he was pursued by the current Beekeeper. While in most action movies, this would be the central conflict of the entire film, in The Beekeeper , Clay made quick work of his replacement in an awesome action scene that made the entire Beekeeper organization declare neutrality and refuse to pursue Clay further.

The current Beekeeper, Anisette Landress, confronted Clay at a gas station, and the two fought it out as she shot at him with a machine gun. This was no issue for Clay, as he quickly disarmed and set her on fire in an approximately one-minute battle. The way that Clay quickly defeated what had been set up as the film's main antagonist was a clever subversion of action movie clichés that made The Beekeeper so enjoyable while simultaneously hilarious.

Catapulted Off The Bridge

Adam clay shows no mercy.

The greatest action scene in The Beekeeper was an intensely brief one, but it packed a whole lot of excitement. This was when Adam Clay confronted the call center boss, Mickey Garnett, in his car after having already cut off his fingers at his bee barn. While Mickey called his boss, Derek Danforth, to let him know what had happened, he knew that he had met his match and that Clay was going to be the death of him.

This terrifyingly swift death was the audiences realization that Clay was truly capable of anything.

Clay showed that he was the wrong person to mess with when he tied Mickey up with a seatbelt and catapulted him off a bridge with the power of a moving car. This terrifyingly swift death was the audience’s realization that Clay was truly capable of anything and would show no mercy at the hands of those he wished to take down. The over-the-top spectacle of this scene occurred early in The Beekeeper , and it was a shame that the movie did not manage to top the absurd action of this death.

The Beekeeper

The Beekeeper is a 2024 action-thriller film by director David Ayer. Jason Statham stars as "Mr. Clay," a former member of a secret organization known as the "Beekeepers," who steps back into the field after a close friend is wronged in a phishing scam. To set things right, Mr. Clay will wage a violent war as he discovers that the truth behind the scammers may be more sinister than he realized.

Director David Ayer

Release Date January 12, 2024

Studio(s) Punch Palace Productions, Cedar Park Studios, MiraMax, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Distributor(s) Amazon MGM Studios

Writers Kurt Wimmer

Cast Bobby Naderi, Jeremy Irons, Jason Statham, Phylicia Rashad, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Minnie Driver, Josh Hutcherson

Genres Thriller, Action