Poor Things Parents Guide: A Complete Breakdown for Families
Are you wondering if Poor Things is a movie suitable for your kids? In this parents guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about the film. From the age rating to content warnings, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a concerned parent or just curious about what the film includes, this Poor Things Parents Guide will help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
What Is Poor Things About?
Poor Things is a highly anticipated movie directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, based on the novel by Alasdair Gray. The film stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Willem Dafoe. It tells the story of Bella Baxter, a woman who is brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist. The film explores themes of love, freedom, and identity, with a twist of dark humor and surreal elements.
Poor Things Parents Guide: Age Rating
The age rating for Poor Things is R (Restricted). This means the film is not suitable for children under 17 without parental guidance. The movie includes mature content, including violence, nudity, and strong language, which may not be appropriate for younger viewers.
Why Is Poor Things Rated R?
If you’re wondering why Poor Things has an R rating, here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Violence: The movie contains scenes of violence that may be intense for younger audiences. Some scenes involve physical confrontations and bloody imagery.
- Nudity and Sexual Content: There are multiple scenes involving nudity and sexual situations, which may not be suitable for children. The film explores adult themes and relationships.
- Language: Strong language is used throughout the movie, including curse words that are not suitable for kids.
- Mature Themes: The film delves into dark, complex themes, including resurrection, personal autonomy, and existential questions, which may be challenging for younger viewers to understand.
Is Poor Things Suitable for Kids?
Poor Things is not recommended for children due to its mature content. The film is best suited for older teens and adults who can handle strong language, mature themes, and scenes of nudity and violence.
What Parents Should Know About Poor Things Parents Guide
Here are some key things parents should know before deciding if Poor Things is suitable for their family:
- Violence and Gore: Expect graphic scenes that may be disturbing. There are some sequences that involve blood and gore, typical of a dark comedy with horror elements.
- Sexual Content: The movie features scenes that are sexual in nature, including nudity. This may be a concern for parents who are not comfortable exposing their children to such content.
- Complex Themes: The film deals with existential and philosophical themes that are likely too advanced for younger viewers. The storyline may be difficult for children to follow.
- Language: Multiple uses of strong language are present, which may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
Poor Things Parents Guide: Content Breakdown
Here’s the lowdown:
- Violence and Gore
- Fighting and physical activity.
- Blood and gore in a few places. Not for the squeamish.
- Nudity and Sexuality
- Full frontal nudity in several scenes.
- Sexual scenes that are explicit and plot central.
- Language
- Strong language and swearing.
- Some bad words. Not for kids.
- Mature Content
- Life after death, autonomy, self discovery.
- Dark humor that won’t work for kids.
Is Poor Things for Kids?
No, Poor Things is not for kids. The film has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) which means it’s for mature audiences only and not for children under 17 without parental guidance.
Why Poor Things Isn’t for Kids
Here’s the breakdown:
- Sexual Content and Nudity
Multiple scenes of full frontal nudity and sexual situations. These scenes are plot central and may be too much for younger eyes.
- Strong Language
Strong language throughout. Curse words that are not for kids. Harsh language that’s not for a younger audience.
- Violence and Gore
Fighting and gore. May be disturbing for some. Blood in a few places. Not for kids.
- Mature Content
Autonomy, resurrection, self discovery. All wrapped in a dark, trippy narrative. Too much for kids to handle and might be confusing or disturbing.
- Dark Humor
Dark humor. Won’t work for kids. Some jokes and situations are for adults only and will be lost on younger viewers.
Age Recommendations for Poor Things
Given the content here’s a quick guide:
- Kids (Under 13): Not suitable. Adult themes, explicit content and strong language.
- Young Teens (13-16): Not recommended unless accompanied by a parent. The mature content may be too much for some teens.
- Older Teens (17+): More suitable if you’re comfortable with mature themes and explicit scenes.
- Adults: Best for adults who like dark, weird films with complicated storytelling.
Rating
If you’re looking for a family film Poor Things is not the one. Instead look for PG or PG-13 rated films. For more information on what’s suitable for your family check out Common Sense Media or the MPA Ratings Guide.
Always check the age rating and content warnings before watching a new film with your kids.
Poor Things Content Guide: What Parents Need to Know
Thinking of watching Poor Things? Then you need to know what to expect especially if you’re worried about it being suitable for younger viewers. This content guide will break down the themes, age rating and content so you can decide if it’s right for you or your family.
Overview of Poor Things
Poor Things is a dark comedy-drama directed by Yorgos Lanthimos based on the novel by Alasdair Gray. Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe it’s the story of Bella Baxter, a woman brought back to life by a mad scientist. The film explores love, freedom and self discovery all wrapped in a surreal and visually stunning package.
Poor Things Age Rating
R (Restricted) Motion Picture Association (MPA). Under 17 requires accompanying adult after 6pm.
Detailed Content Breakdown
Here’s a more detailed look at the content in Poor Things that got an R rating:
- Sexual Content and Nudity
Explicit sex scenes that are part of the story. Frequent and may include nudity. Not suitable for kids.
Intimate relationships and sexual exploration. May be too graphic for younger viewers.
- Strong Language
Strong language throughout. Explicit swear words. Used in different contexts. Harsh.
Parents who are concerned about foul language may find this aspect of the film particularly unsuitable for younger audiences.
- Violence and Gore
There is physical violence in the movie, some of it graphic and intense. Not a horror movie but some scenes have gore.
There is bloody imagery, especially in the science scenes.
- Mature Themes
The movie deals with complex themes like resurrection, identity, freedom and autonomy. These themes may be too much for kids and younger teens to handle.
There is dark humor and existential questions that are for adults only.
- Drug and Alcohol Use
Characters drink in the movie. Not a major theme but present in some social scenes.
Is Poor Things for Kids?
Given the content Poor Things is not for kids. The movie’s mature themes, strong language, explicit sex and violence make it more suitable for older teens (17+) and adults. Parental discretion advised for family viewing.
Age Recommendations
- Children (Under 13): Not suitable due to explicit content, adult themes and strong language.
- Young Teens (13-16): Not recommended without a parent or guardian. Too intense for this age group.
- Older Teens (17+): More suitable but parents should be aware of the explicit scenes and themes before letting older teens watch.
- Adults: For adult viewers who like dark comedies, surreal storytelling and thought provoking themes.
Poor Things Film Review: A darkly imaginative gem
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef
Genre: Dark Comedy, Fantasy, Drama
Rating: R
Runtime: 2 hours 21 minutes
Yorgos Lanthimos is known for his unique and offbeat style and with Poor Things he takes us on a crazy and surreal journey. Based on the novel by Alasdair Gray this film is a bold and visually stunning exploration of freedom, identity and self discovery. With an amazing performance from Emma Stone this dark comedy fantasy is only possible from Lanthimos.
Synopsis: A Story of Rebirth and Freedom
Poor Things follows the story of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) a young woman who is brought back to life by the eccentric scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) after a tragic event. Bella starts with the mind of a child and sets out on a journey of self discovery, rebellion and sensual exploration.
As Bella grows she challenges the norms, claims her freedom and takes control of her life. Her journey is full of weird and dark humor making the film a fairy tale and social commentary hybrid.
Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo) the charming but dubious lawyer joins Bella on her journey across Europe. Their relationship is complicated, lustful and searching for meaning in a meaningless world.
Great Performances from a Great Cast
Emma Stone is fantastic as Bella Baxter. She goes all in on the character’s childlike wonder, sexual awakening and independence. Stone is compelling and fearless, brings depth to a character that changes so much throughout the film.
Willem Dafoe is just as good as Dr. Godwin Baxter, a mad scientist with a heart of gold. His character is kooky and lovable, adds to the quirkiness of the story. Mark Ruffalo is a nice contrast as the roguish and charming Duncan Wedderburn, as morally ambiguous as he is fun.
The supporting cast (Ramy Youssef as Max McCandless) add to the film, each one a part of the world Lanthimos has created.
Direction and Cinematography: A Treat
Yorgos Lanthimos is a genius. The film’s look is Victorian era meets surreal, dreamlike sequences. The cinematography by Robbie Ryan is bold, the sets are elaborate, the costumes are imaginative and it all transports you to a fantastical world.
The use of wide angle lenses and unusual camera angles adds to the sense of playfulness and unease, matches the film’s tone. Lanthimos does it again, he creates a world that’s otherworldly and human.
Themes and Symbolism: A Story to Think About
Poor Things is not just a pretty face; it’s a thick film. The story is about freedom, autonomy, feminism and social norms. Bella’s journey is about breaking free from the constraints of society especially on women.
The film takes on traditional gender roles, identity and sexuality head on. It uses dark humour and surrealism to tackle personal agency, self discovery and the pursuit of happiness. If you liked Lanthimos’ previous work like The Favourite and The Lobster you’ll love him tackling societal critique through a dark comedy lens.
Music and Soundtrack
The score by Jerskin Fendrix is whimsical and unsettling. The music goes from playful to haunting as Bella goes from innocence to empowerment. The soundtrack is a character in its own right, propelling the story forward and amplifying the emotions.
Who should see Poor Things?
Due to the R rating Poor Things is for mature audiences only who like dark humour, surreal storytelling and complex characters. The film has explicit content including sexual scenes, strong language and occasional violence so not suitable for younger viewers.
If you like:
- Bold and unconventional cinema that pushes boundaries
- Visually beautiful and imaginative storytelling
- Dark comedies with depth
- The Favourite, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Pan’s Labyrinth
- Poor Things Parental Advisory: What Parents Should Know
Title: Poor Things
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe
Genre: Dark Comedy, Fantasy, Drama
Rating: R (Restricted)
Poor Things is a highly anticipated film that is darkly comedic and fantastical with mature themes and explicit content. If you’re planning to watch this with younger viewers you should know the parental advisory details. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if this film is suitable for your family.
Why Poor Things is R
The R rating means Poor Things is for mature audiences only and under 17 with parental guidance. The rating is for strong sexual content, nudity, graphic language and violence.
Content Breakdown: What Parents Need to Know
- Sexual Content and Nudity
Poor Things has multiple sex scenes that are key to the plot. These scenes are naked and unapologetic. Not suitable for kids.
The film is about sexual freedom and experimentation. Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) is on a journey of sexual discovery and has multiple intimate encounters on screen.
Parents worried about explicit content should be aware that these scenes are explicit and frequent.
- Graphic Language
The film has strong, explicit language throughout including curse words and profanity. The language is intense and not suitable for kids and younger teens.
Characters say what they mean and use explicit dialogue to match the tone of the film.
- Violence and Gore
Not a horror film but Poor Things has some violent scenes that are intense and graphic. These include physical fights, blood and disturbing images.
Dr. Godwin Baxter’s (Willem Dafoe) experimental procedures may be disturbing for sensitive viewers.
- Mature Themes and Dark Humor
The film tackles complex themes like identity, autonomy and rebellion against the status quo. These mature themes are done with dark humor and satire so it’s more for adults only.
The plot is surreal and the philosophical and existential questions may be hard for younger viewers to follow.
- Alcohol and Substance Use
Characters drink in some scenes but drug use is not a big part of the film. These scenes are relatively tame compared to other mature content but may still be a concern for some parents.
Symbolism and Deeper Meanings
Poor Things is full of symbolism, most of which is around rebirth, exploration and transformation.
Bella’s resurrection is a metaphor for breaking free from societal constraints and re-inventing yourself.
The water imagery throughout Bella’s journey is cleansing, rebirth and fluid identity.
The light and dark contrast in the visuals is the duality of human nature and the battle between societal expectations and personal desires.
Reviews
Since it’s been out Poor Things has been praised for it’s boldness, visuals and performances. Critics have loved that Lanthimos is willing to go there and tackle taboo subjects with humor and intelligence. The film has been described as a celebration of individuality, a critique of society and a proof of cinematic ingenuity.
FAQs about Poor Things Parents Guide
- What is the rating for Poor Things?
Poor Things is rated R so under 17 not allowed unless accompanied by an adult due to mature content.
- Is there nudity in Poor Things?
Yes there is full nudity and sexual content in Poor Things so not suitable for kids.
- Can teens watch Poor Things?
Teens 17 and over may be able to handle the mature content but parents should consider the strong language, sexual scenes and violence before letting them watch it.
- Are there any violent scenes?
Yes the film has violent scenes some of which are graphic and not suitable for sensitive viewers.
- What are the main themes of Poor Things?
The film deals with resurrection, autonomy, identity and self discovery with dark humour.
- Is Poor Things scary?
The film has some disturbing and surreal elements but not a horror film. Younger audiences may find some scenes unsettling.
- Can I watch Poor Things with my kids?
No due to the R rating and mature themes.
Conclusion
Poor Things Parents Guide is a beautiful film with deep themes and intense content. Not suitable for younger audiences due to the R rating. If you’re planning a family movie night choose something more kid friendly. Always check the content warnings and ratings before watching a new film with your kids.
For more information about movie ratings and what they mean, check out the MPAA Rating System and Common Sense Media. These resources can help you decide if a film is right for your family.