Detachment (2011) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A chronicle of three weeks in the lives of several high school teachers, administrators and students through the eyes of substitute teacher, Henry Barthes. Henry roams from school to school, imparting modes of knowledge, but never staying long enough to form any semblance of sentient attachment.
Rated NR • 2011 • 1h 38m
Detachment (dir. Tony Kaye) is a bleak, adult drama rated Not Rated for explicit sexual material, heavy suicide/death, frequent profanity, and disturbing violence. Parents should be aware of on-screen sexual activity involving a teenage prostitute (oral sex shown in two brief scenes), a graphic porn/medical close-up, implied animal abuse, and a classroom suicide. The film also depicts dementia and the death of a relative, repeated… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Detachment appropriate for kids?
Detachment (dir. Tony Kaye) is a bleak, adult drama rated Not Rated for explicit sexual material, heavy suicide/death, frequent profanity, and disturbing violence. Parents should be aware of on-screen sexual activity involving a teenage prostitute (oral sex shown in two brief… Read more — free account
Content severity in Detachment
What happens in Detachment, moment by moment
- 0:08 ♥ Sex & Nudity 7/10
- 0:08 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:12 🍷 Substances 2/10
Sex and nudity in Detachment
Strong and explicit sexual content appears at several points: IMDb's Parents Guide documents two brief scenes of a girl performing oral sex, depictions of prostitution (Erica), and a man leafing through a porn magazine with graphic images and a short, close-up medical image of an infected vulva. There's also brief nudity (an elderly woman in a bathroom). Sexual activity involving a teenage prostitute and an accusation of inappropriate touching are central to the plot and may be upsetting.
Violence and gore in Detachment
Moderate-to-strong physical violence and implied animal cruelty appear. A client hits/slaps Erica after a sexual encounter, teachers and students lash out verbally and physically at times, and one scene strongly implies a boy beats a stray cat with a hammer (blood on his hands) though the actual impact is not shown (IMDb reports). The film's violence is upsetting rather than graphic.
Language in Detachment
Frequent, strong profanity throughout — many uses of the f-word plus racial and homophobic slurs are reported in IMDb's Parents Guide. The language is pervasive in classroom, hallway, and staff scenes and contributes to the film's harsh tone.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Detachment
Mild and casual: Henry smokes cigarettes on several occasions and there's brief depiction of casual drinking and a character taking prescription 'happy pills.' Substance use is present but not glamorized.
Mature themes in Detachment
Strong, adult themes run throughout: suicide (Meredith's death by poisoned cupcake), prostitution/exploitation (Erica), dementia and death (Henry's grandfather), implied past sexual abuse, depression, and child/endangerment concerns. These themes are central, sustained, and emotionally heavy — IMDb's guide notes suicide, prostitution, and abuse as prevalent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Detachment appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Detachment is best for ages 13+. It's rated NR. Detachment (dir. Tony Kaye) is a bleak, adult drama rated Not Rated for explicit sexual material, heavy suicide/death, frequent profanity, and disturbing violence. Parents should be aware of on-screen sexual activity…
What age rating does Detachment have?
Detachment is officially rated NR. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Detachment about?
Detachment (dir. Tony Kaye) is a bleak, adult drama rated Not Rated for explicit sexual material, heavy suicide/death, frequent profanity, and disturbing violence. Parents should be aware of on-screen sexual activity involving a teenage prostitute (oral sex shown in two brief scenes), a graphic porn/medical close-up…
Is there sex or nudity in Detachment?
Strong and explicit sexual content appears at several points: IMDb's Parents Guide documents two brief scenes of a girl performing oral sex, depictions of prostitution (Erica), and a man leafing through a porn magazine with graphic images and a short…
How violent is Detachment?
Moderate-to-strong physical violence and implied animal cruelty appear. A client hits/slaps Erica after a sexual encounter, teachers and students lash out verbally and physically at times, and one scene strongly implies a boy beats a stray cat with a hammer…
Is the language in Detachment appropriate for kids?
Frequent, strong profanity throughout — many uses of the f-word plus racial and homophobic slurs are reported in IMDb's Parents Guide. The language is pervasive in classroom, hallway, and staff scenes and contributes to the film's harsh tone.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Detachment?
Mild and casual: Henry smokes cigarettes on several occasions and there's brief depiction of casual drinking and a character taking prescription 'happy pills.' Substance use is present but not glamorized.
What mature themes appear in Detachment?
Strong, adult themes run throughout: suicide (Meredith's death by poisoned cupcake), prostitution/exploitation (Erica), dementia and death (Henry's grandfather), implied past sexual abuse, depression, and child/endangerment concerns. These themes are central…
How long is Detachment?
Detachment runs 98 minutes, directed by Tony Kaye, released in 2011.
Where can I read the full Detachment 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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