Departures (2008) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature – as an undertaker’s assistant.
Rated PG-13 • 2008 • 2h 10m
Departures (2008) is rated PG-13 primarily for its sustained focus on death, corpses and funeral rites that may unsettle younger viewers. The film follows Daigo, a cellist who becomes an assistant in a Japanese encoffinment (undertaker) service, and includes non-graphic but candid scenes of preparing bodies, a visibly decayed corpse, and a peephole viewing of a cremation retort. There is mild sexual content (an implied sex scene, brief… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Departures appropriate for kids?
Departures (2008) is rated PG-13 primarily for its sustained focus on death, corpses and funeral rites that may unsettle younger viewers. The film follows Daigo, a cellist who becomes an assistant in a Japanese encoffinment (undertaker) service, and includes non-graphic but… Read more — free account
Content severity in Departures
What happens in Departures, moment by moment
- 0:07 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:14 💬 Language 2/10
- 0:22 ♥ Sex & Nudity 3/10
Sex and nudity in Departures
Mild and brief. There is one implied sex scene between Daigo and his wife Mika where clothing is partially removed but nothing explicit is shown, and Daigo is shown briefly in his underwear and in a side shot while washing in a public bath. IMDb Parents Guide also notes the film mentions certain professional procedures (e.g., cleaning a corpse's anus) in a clinical context; these are referenced matter-of-factly rather than shown erotically.
Violence and gore in Departures
Very light, non-graphic. The film contains images of a decomposed body and a brief shaving cut with a small amount of blood, plus a vomiting reaction from Daigo when confronted with a decayed corpse; nothing is staged as physical violence or assault. IMDb Parents Guide users describe these as unpleasant but not gore-heavy.
Language in Departures
Minimal. There is essentially no coarse profanity — at most a few mild expletives like a translated 'damn' or similar casual words in angry or embarrassed moments. Expect very little strong language overall.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Departures
Minor and unobtrusive. A few characters smoke (notably Daigo's boss) and there is one short scene of social drinking, but no heavy alcohol misuse or drug use. These are background details rather than plot focal points.
Mature themes in Departures
Strong and central. Departures is built around death, grief, social stigma, abandonment and reconciliation (Daigo's strained history with his father, his mother's death, community ostracism, marital strain and eventual acceptance). Several scenes confront the reality of corpses, the rituals of encoffinment and the emotional fallout for families; these moments are poignant and occasionally intense but handled without graphic brutality. IMDb Parents Guide notes the film's mature thematic material as the main reason…
Read more — free accountFrequently Asked Questions
Is Departures appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Departures is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Departures (2008) is rated PG-13 primarily for its sustained focus on death, corpses and funeral rites that may unsettle younger viewers. The film follows Daigo, a cellist who becomes an assistant in a Japanese…
What age rating does Departures have?
Departures is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Departures about?
Departures (2008) is rated PG-13 primarily for its sustained focus on death, corpses and funeral rites that may unsettle younger viewers. The film follows Daigo, a cellist who becomes an assistant in a Japanese encoffinment (undertaker) service, and includes non-graphic but candid scenes of preparing bodies, a visibly…
Is there sex or nudity in Departures?
Mild and brief. There is one implied sex scene between Daigo and his wife Mika where clothing is partially removed but nothing explicit is shown, and Daigo is shown briefly in his underwear and in a side shot while washing in a public bath. IMDb Parents Guide…
How violent is Departures?
Very light, non-graphic. The film contains images of a decomposed body and a brief shaving cut with a small amount of blood, plus a vomiting reaction from Daigo when confronted with a decayed corpse; nothing is staged as physical violence or assault. IMDb…
Is the language in Departures appropriate for kids?
Minimal. There is essentially no coarse profanity — at most a few mild expletives like a translated 'damn' or similar casual words in angry or embarrassed moments. Expect very little strong language overall.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Departures?
Minor and unobtrusive. A few characters smoke (notably Daigo's boss) and there is one short scene of social drinking, but no heavy alcohol misuse or drug use. These are background details rather than plot focal points.
What mature themes appear in Departures?
Strong and central. Departures is built around death, grief, social stigma, abandonment and reconciliation (Daigo's strained history with his father, his mother's death, community ostracism, marital strain and eventual acceptance). Several scenes confront the…
How long is Departures?
Departures runs 130 minutes, directed by Yojiro Takita, released in 2008.
Where can I read the full Departures parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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