Detroit (2017) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A police raid in Detroit in 1967 results in one of the largest citizens' uprisings in the history of the United States.
Rated R • 2017 • 2h 23m
Overall: The true story of the 1967 Detroit riots and the Algiers Motel incident, in which white police officers tortured and killed Black men. John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith. The R rating covers extreme and sustained violence against Black men by police.
Cast
Is Detroit appropriate for kids?
Overall: The true story of the 1967 Detroit riots and the Algiers Motel incident, in which white police officers tortured and killed Black men. John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith. The R rating covers extreme and sustained violence against Black men by police. Read more — free account
Content severity in Detroit
What happens in Detroit, moment by moment
- 0:08 💬 Language 7/10
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
- 0:12 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
Sex and nudity in Detroit
Women forced to strip by police — depicted as a deliberate humiliation and assault.
Violence and gore in Detroit
Sustained police torture and murder — the Algiers Motel sequence is nearly an hour of extreme violence. The most difficult film Bigelow has made. Not for the faint of heart.
Language in Detroit
The film contains pervasive and aggressive use of strong profanity, including frequent use of the F-word throughout the dialogue. Most notably, the script features multiple occurrences of derogatory racial slurs and dehumanizing epithets used by police officers against Black citizens. This verbal abuse is sustained and intended to reflect the intense hostility and systemic racism of the era.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Detroit
There is no significant depiction of drug use or alcohol abuse throughout the film. The narrative remains strictly focused on the unfolding social unrest and the specific legal and physical atrocities at the Algiers Motel. Because the film prioritizes a tense, historical docudrama tone, substance-related content is virtually non-existent.
Mature themes in Detroit
Police violence against Black Americans — depicted with documentary intensity. The film deliberately makes the audience experience the duration and hopelessness of the torture. The acquittal of the officers is the film's most devastating element.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Detroit appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Detroit is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. Overall: The true story of the 1967 Detroit riots and the Algiers Motel incident, in which white police officers tortured and killed Black men. John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith. The R rating covers extreme and…
What age rating does Detroit have?
Detroit is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.
What is Detroit about?
Overall: The true story of the 1967 Detroit riots and the Algiers Motel incident, in which white police officers tortured and killed Black men. John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith. The R rating covers extreme and sustained violence against Black men by police.
Is there sex or nudity in Detroit?
Women forced to strip by police — depicted as a deliberate humiliation and assault.
How violent is Detroit?
Sustained police torture and murder — the Algiers Motel sequence is nearly an hour of extreme violence. The most difficult film Bigelow has made. Not for the faint of heart.
Is the language in Detroit appropriate for kids?
The film contains pervasive and aggressive use of strong profanity, including frequent use of the F-word throughout the dialogue. Most notably, the script features multiple occurrences of derogatory racial slurs and dehumanizing epithets used by police…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Detroit?
There is no significant depiction of drug use or alcohol abuse throughout the film. The narrative remains strictly focused on the unfolding social unrest and the specific legal and physical atrocities at the Algiers Motel. Because the film prioritizes a…
What mature themes appear in Detroit?
Police violence against Black Americans — depicted with documentary intensity. The film deliberately makes the audience experience the duration and hopelessness of the torture. The acquittal of the officers is the film's most devastating element.
How long is Detroit?
Detroit runs 143 minutes, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, released in 2017.
Where can I read the full Detroit parent guide?
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