Chronicle (2012) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.
Rated PG-13 • 2012 • 1h 24m
Chronicle is a found-footage thriller that earns its PG-13 rating with intense, increasingly dark and bloody violence, pervasive mature themes, and some strong language. The film follows three high school students, including the troubled Andrew Detmer, who gain telekinetic powers, but it is not a celebratory superhero story. Parents should be aware that the film's second half depicts a character's psychological breakdown fueled by… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Chronicle appropriate for kids?
Chronicle is a found-footage thriller that earns its PG-13 rating with intense, increasingly dark and bloody violence, pervasive mature themes, and some strong language. The film follows three high school students, including the troubled Andrew Detmer, who gain telekinetic… Read more — free account
Content severity in Chronicle
What happens in Chronicle, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:11 🍷 Substances 3/10
- 0:18 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
Sex and nudity in Chronicle
Sexual content is mild. In one scene, the main characters use their powers with a leaf blower to lift a girl's dress, briefly showing her underwear. There is brief talk about when characters last had sex. In another scene, a drunken teenage boy attempts to be intimate with a girl at a party but ends up vomiting on her.
Violence and gore in Chronicle
Violence is strong and escalates significantly throughout the film. Initial scenes involve pranks, but it quickly becomes serious, including a scene where a character telekinetically forces a car off the road, resulting in a bloody but non-fatal injury. The violence intensifies to include a character being struck and killed by lightning, another having his teeth telekinetically and bloodily pulled out, and a fiery gas station explosion. The climax is a destructive battle across a city, with characters thrown…
Read more — free accountLanguage in Chronicle
Profanity is moderate. The dialogue includes multiple uses of "s--t," "bitch," and "ass." Other words like "dick," "pussy," and "douchebag" are used at least once. The middle finger gesture is also shown. Curses are used primarily during arguments and moments of high stress.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Chronicle
Substance use is moderate. Multiple scenes take place at high school parties where teenagers are seen holding cups and drinking beer, though overt drunkenness is minimal. A main character gets drunk at one party, leading to an embarrassing incident. A central plot point involves the main character's father being an abusive alcoholic, which fuels much of the conflict.
Mature themes in Chronicle
The film deals with severe and often disturbing themes. The central theme is the corruption of power, as a socially alienated teenager's abilities amplify his rage and trauma. There is a recurring depiction of domestic abuse, with a father shown being physically and verbally violent towards his son. Other themes include the consequences of bullying, the death of a parent from cancer, the sudden death of a main character, and a character's complete psychological breakdown into an 'apex predator' philosophy, leading…
Read more — free accountFrequently Asked Questions
Is Chronicle appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Chronicle is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Chronicle is a found-footage thriller that earns its PG-13 rating with intense, increasingly dark and bloody violence, pervasive mature themes, and some strong language. The film follows three high school students…
What age rating does Chronicle have?
Chronicle is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Chronicle about?
Chronicle is a found-footage thriller that earns its PG-13 rating with intense, increasingly dark and bloody violence, pervasive mature themes, and some strong language. The film follows three high school students, including the troubled Andrew Detmer, who gain telekinetic powers, but it is not a celebratory superhero…
Is there sex or nudity in Chronicle?
Sexual content is mild. In one scene, the main characters use their powers with a leaf blower to lift a girl's dress, briefly showing her underwear. There is brief talk about when characters last had sex. In another scene, a drunken teenage boy attempts to be…
How violent is Chronicle?
Violence is strong and escalates significantly throughout the film. Initial scenes involve pranks, but it quickly becomes serious, including a scene where a character telekinetically forces a car off the road, resulting in a bloody but non-fatal injury. The…
Is the language in Chronicle appropriate for kids?
Profanity is moderate. The dialogue includes multiple uses of "s--t," "bitch," and "ass." Other words like "dick," "pussy," and "douchebag" are used at least once. The middle finger gesture is also shown. Curses are used primarily during arguments and moments…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Chronicle?
Substance use is moderate. Multiple scenes take place at high school parties where teenagers are seen holding cups and drinking beer, though overt drunkenness is minimal. A main character gets drunk at one party, leading to an embarrassing incident. A central…
What mature themes appear in Chronicle?
The film deals with severe and often disturbing themes. The central theme is the corruption of power, as a socially alienated teenager's abilities amplify his rage and trauma. There is a recurring depiction of domestic abuse, with a father shown being…
How long is Chronicle?
Chronicle runs 84 minutes, directed by Josh Trank, released in 2012.
Where can I read the full Chronicle parent guide?
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