Trigger Warning pulls the trigger on an action-packed summer popcorn movie

Jessica Alba returns for her first major acting role since the 2019 film Killers Anonymous and the 2020 ending of the crime drama series L.A.'s Finest with the new Netflix original movie Trigger Warning. The film released on June 21 as the streamer's biggest new movie release of the weekend, which kicks off the official start of summer. But is it worth watching?

Alba stars in the film as Parker, a Special Forces commando and grieving daughter, who inherits her late father's bar and returns to her hometown of Swann County. Upon her homecoming, she discovers that a gang has overrun the town and there might be more to the story behind her father's death than she's been told. It comes down to trust and justice, and Parker doesn't give up.

Trigger Warning follows in Netflix's string of new movies in June that feature major talents, which includes Glen Powell and Richard Linklater's Hit Man and the Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King starrer A Family Affair. Does Alba's starring vehicle live up to these titles? Here's a spoiler-free watch-or-skip review, what the critics are saying, and who's best suited to watch the movie!

Trigger Warning is a palatable summer action flick

If you're wondering whether you should watch or skip Trigger Warning, I'd definitely suggest giving it a watch. Jessica Alba has never been better in a leading role, and she more than proves that we need much more of her on screens big and small. The mother of three and businesswoman took a step back from acting, but after stepping down from her company's Chief Creative Officer role, there seems to be a path back to more acting roles from the certified movie star.

The story isn't anything particularly revolutionary, as we have seen many action movies over the years based in seeking justice or revenge for a deceased loved one. Additionally, the themes of gang violence and political corruption aren't new to the genre either, though the personal aspect of the storytelling and the thrilling sequences keep you on the edge of your seat. Seasoned action movie fans might be underwhelmed, but overall, Trigger Warning stands as a quintessential summer blockbuster.

As of the release date, the movie holds a 26% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been earning mostly middling reviews from critics. The Hollywood Reporter praised Alba but called the movie "strictly routine," which Variety also did by calling the actress a "supersoldier" and the movie a "slick but contrived melodrama." Honestly, a routine and melodramatic action movie could be what some viewers are looking for in their summer popcorn movies. It makes them fun!

The bottom line: If you loved binge-watching shows like The Night Agent, The Recruit, and FUBAR on Netflix and watching the streamer's movies such as Hit Man, Kate, Heart of Stone, The Gray Man, Extraction, and more, you will have a blast watching Trigger Warning.

It's rated TV-MA for language and violence

Unfortunately, you won't be able to watch Trigger Warning with the whole family — not that you were planning to sit down with the kids and watch an action-crime drama. The movie's probably a bit too much to watch with little eyes and ears around, as Netflix has given the flick a TV-MA rating for language, smoking, and violence and designated it appropriate for mature audiences only. The movie doesn't contain any sex or nudity.

From the trailer alone, we knew that the language would be rather heightened (Alba calls a man a "b--ch") and that the hand-to-hand combat and fighting would get pretty intense. There are scenes of Alba's character being beaten up and she has visible blood from her injuries. The movie has other instances of violence and potentially frightening situations, including guns and explosions, that might be a bit too much for some viewers, though for the most part, it's your average R-rated action movie.

Stay tuned for more movie news, updates, and reviews from Netflix Life!