Cloud Atlas (2012) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future. Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future. Based on the award winning novel by David Mitchell. Directed by Tom Tykwer and the… Sign up for the full guide
Rated R • 2012 • 2h 52m
This ambitious, R-rated epic earns its rating for frequent, strong, and sometimes graphic violence, explicit sexuality including nudity, pervasive strong language, and some drug use. Spanning six eras, the film's violence includes throat-slitting, shootings with bloody results, and implications of cannibalism. The sexual content features a minute-long scene of a couple having sex with clear thrusting and nudity. The film's complex… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Cloud Atlas appropriate for kids?
This ambitious, R-rated epic earns its rating for frequent, strong, and sometimes graphic violence, explicit sexuality including nudity, pervasive strong language, and some drug use. Spanning six eras, the film's violence includes throat-slitting, shootings with bloody results… Read more — free account
Content severity in Cloud Atlas
What happens in Cloud Atlas, moment by moment
- 0:10 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:25 ♥ Sex & Nudity 5/10
- 0:38 🔥 Mature Themes 8/10
Sex and nudity in Cloud Atlas
Contains one strong, extended scene of sexuality where a man and a woman have sex on the floor; the woman is on top and breast nudity is visible. Another scene shows two men kissing passionately in bed. There are other instances of brief female toplessness, including in a non-sexual context, and a distant view of multiple nude female bodies in a futuristic processing facility. There is also a verbal reference to sodomy.
Violence and gore in Cloud Atlas
Violence is frequent, strong, and often graphic across the film's multiple timelines. Several characters have their throats slit with bloody results. A man is thrown from a high balcony, with the gory impact shown on the ground below. Gun violence is common, including characters being shot point-blank and a bloody suicide. Scenes depict a slave being whipped, a futuristic human slaughterhouse, the aftermath of a tribal massacre, and intense brawls and chases.
Language in Cloud Atlas
Language is strong and frequent throughout. There are over 20 uses of "f--k" and three uses of the "c--t" slur. Other profanity includes many uses of "s--t," "damn," "hell," and "ass." Additionally, racial slurs and derogatory language reflecting the historical periods are used, particularly in the 19th-century storyline.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Cloud Atlas
Substance use is present but relatively mild compared to other content. Characters are frequently shown smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol socially in various eras. The 1970s storyline features a few scenes where characters smoke marijuana.
Mature themes in Cloud Atlas
The film grapples with many heavy and mature themes. Recurring ideas include slavery, racism, and abolitionism; prejudice against same-sex relationships leading to a character's suicide; corporate greed and murder; the dehumanization of a clone workforce in a dystopian society, including the revelation of cannibalistic recycling; and brutal tribal warfare and cannibalism in a post-apocalyptic future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloud Atlas appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Cloud Atlas is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. This ambitious, R-rated epic earns its rating for frequent, strong, and sometimes graphic violence, explicit sexuality including nudity, pervasive strong language, and some drug use. Spanning six eras, the film's…
What age rating does Cloud Atlas have?
Cloud Atlas is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.
What is Cloud Atlas about?
This ambitious, R-rated epic earns its rating for frequent, strong, and sometimes graphic violence, explicit sexuality including nudity, pervasive strong language, and some drug use. Spanning six eras, the film's violence includes throat-slitting, shootings with bloody results, and implications of cannibalism. The…
Is there sex or nudity in Cloud Atlas?
Contains one strong, extended scene of sexuality where a man and a woman have sex on the floor; the woman is on top and breast nudity is visible. Another scene shows two men kissing passionately in bed. There are other instances of brief female toplessness…
How violent is Cloud Atlas?
Violence is frequent, strong, and often graphic across the film's multiple timelines. Several characters have their throats slit with bloody results. A man is thrown from a high balcony, with the gory impact shown on the ground below. Gun violence is common…
Is the language in Cloud Atlas appropriate for kids?
Language is strong and frequent throughout. There are over 20 uses of "f--k" and three uses of the "c--t" slur. Other profanity includes many uses of "s--t," "damn," "hell," and "ass." Additionally, racial slurs and derogatory language reflecting the…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Cloud Atlas?
Substance use is present but relatively mild compared to other content. Characters are frequently shown smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol socially in various eras. The 1970s storyline features a few scenes where characters smoke marijuana.
What mature themes appear in Cloud Atlas?
The film grapples with many heavy and mature themes. Recurring ideas include slavery, racism, and abolitionism; prejudice against same-sex relationships leading to a character's suicide; corporate greed and murder; the dehumanization of a clone workforce in a…
How long is Cloud Atlas?
Cloud Atlas runs 172 minutes, directed by Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, released in 2012.
Where can I read the full Cloud Atlas parent guide?
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