Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says not for kids
Bikers, babes, blood, booze ... and blah.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this movie -- which was executive-produced by grindhouse aficionado Quentin Tarantino -- has all of the violence, language, and extreme behavior of one of his films, but none of the wit, well-drawn characters, or cinematic brilliance. Tarantino's involvement may pique teens' interest, but the constant and extreme level of sexual content (including full-frontal nudity), language, drinking, drug use, and other adult situations isn't age-appropriate for them (or for just about anyone, really).
- Families can talk about the movie's intentionally over-the-top material. At what point do viewers become desensitized to this type of content? Is the excess meant to be funny? Do you think films like this one only appeal to a certain audience? Who is that audience, and why are they drawn to material like this? Families can also discuss the cultural context of motorcycle-gang movies. What need or fantasy do these stories of the open road and bad behavior satisfy? Is the film's extensive stylistic debt to '60s biker films a fond tribute to a bygone genre or just empty, stylish grave-robbing?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: The main characters -- a motorcycle gang -- go on a bloody revenge spree to avenge a decades-old wrong. Their lifestyle is portrayed as an endless series of violent acts, sexual encounters, and criminal activity. Two characters discuss how high-end motorcycling is moving toward respectability and becoming a legitimate, lucrative business and recreational activity. Female characters are stereotypical and objectified.
What to watch for
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Violence: Shootings, beatings, throat-slitting, garroting, and more; guns, crossbows, knives, and fire are used to kill. Many characters are subjected to having their throats cut and then being set on fire. Graphic special-effects close-ups of cut throats, severed heads, bullet wounds, blood spatter, etc. are shown. A character is chloroformed. Torture to obtain information. Scalping. Discussion of whether to cuts the heads or pinkies off dead victims as trophies.
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Sex: Gratuitous and frequent topless and full-frontal nudity; multiple sex scenes; extensive discussion of sex, oral sex, necrophilia, and more; some groping and ogling; kissing; scenes set in strip clubs. Pornography is glimpsed. Same-sex kissing; implied sex with multiple participants. Topless wrestling.
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Language: Constant strong language, including "f--k," "motherf---er," "p---y," "s--t," "a--holes," and more.
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Consumerism: Indian motorcycles are mentioned; no other brands mentioned or visible on screen.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Constant smoking, drinking, and drug use. Beer and hard liquor are drunk to excess; cigarettes and cigars are smoked; marijuana is frequently smoked; one character goes on a peyote-fueled vision quest in the desert; mention is made of the '60s biker trade in LSD and cocaine; a methamphetamine lab is glimpsed. "Pill-popping" is mentioned.