Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+
Intense, complex, brilliant sci-fi thriller is OK for teens.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this complex, original science-fiction fantasy movie from the director of The Dark Knight has lots of action and violence -- including guns, blood, fighting, car crashes, etc. -- as well as some slightly scary imagery. But it's very light on language, sexy stuff, and drinking, so teen fans of star Leonardo DiCaprio should be able to handle it. It's not an easy story to explain, but it's very easy to follow; parents and teens will likely want to talk at length about the story and may even find themselves wanting to go back for a second helping.
- Families can talk about the film's violence. How did it affect you? Was it thrilling? Did the fact that it takes place in a dream give it more or less impact?
- Was the movie scary? If so, what made it scary?
- Why is it important to dream? What do your dreams tell you? Is it right to plant an idea in a person's head, even if that idea makes
the person happy?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: Amid the intense scenes and images, the movie offers positive examples of teamwork and helping others. A subplot involving death and grieving also promotes acceptance and moving on. A more ambiguous message is sent by the main story, in which the characters try to plant an idea in someone's head against his will -- but manage to bring him a kind of peace in the process.
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Positive role models: The main character acts for personal reasons -- to earn the ability to return home to his kids -- and has a job that's slightly on the shady side. But when he's at work, his team shows excellent teamwork, as well as selflessness when it comes to their teammates' well being.
What to watch for
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Violence: Though most of the movie's violence takes place in dreams and is therefore not "real," it includes guns and shooting, gunshot wounds with blood, fistfights, rioting, explosions, car chases, and car crashes. Characters scream in pain when shot or stabbed. In the movie, being "killed" or committing suicide can "wake" you out of the dream. One character is shot in the head, another is stabbed, and another plunges off a building to her death.
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Sex: The main character pines for his dead wife, whom he still sees in his dreams. They share some intimate emotional moments, but there's no kissing, nudity, or sex. Two other characters share a brief kiss.
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Language: A few uses of exclamations like "goddamn it" and "Jesus Christ," as well as "hell," "ass," and "damn."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adult characters drink wine, beer, and champagne, but no one overindulges.