Fatal Attraction (1987) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A married man's one-night stand comes back to haunt him when that lover begins to stalk him and his family.
Rated R • 1987 • 1h 59m
A happily married attorney has a weekend affair that becomes a nightmare when the woman refuses to accept it's over. Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer. The R rating covers graphic sexual content, violence, and the film's sustained terror.
Cast
Is Fatal Attraction appropriate for kids?
A happily married attorney has a weekend affair that becomes a nightmare when the woman refuses to accept it's over. Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer. The R rating covers graphic sexual content, violence, and the film's sustained terror. Read more — free account
Content severity in Fatal Attraction
What happens in Fatal Attraction, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 0:15 💬 Language 4/10
- 0:22 ♥ Sex & Nudity 7/10
Sex and nudity in Fatal Attraction
Explicit sexual content — the affair is depicted graphically. One of the most sexually frank mainstream studio films of its era.
Violence and gore in Fatal Attraction
A boiled rabbit. A bathroom attack. A violent drowning. The violence escalates to horror levels.
Language in Fatal Attraction
The film features strong language throughout, including multiple uses of the F-word and various anatomical slurs. The profanity is typically delivered during moments of intense emotional confrontation or extreme distress. As an R-rated thriller, the dialogue reflects the volatile nature of the characters' deteriorating relationship.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Fatal Attraction
There is no significant use of illegal drugs or substance abuse depicted in the film. Characters are occasionally seen consuming alcohol, such as wine or cocktails, in social settings or at home, but it never reaches a level of intoxication central to the plot. The narrative focuses entirely on the psychological obsession rather than chemical dependency.
Mature themes in Fatal Attraction
Glenn Close's Alex was intended as a tragic figure — a woman whose mental illness is exploited and then punished. The film is more ambiguous than its 'bunny boiler' cultural shorthand suggests. A marriage's hidden cracks revealed by external pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fatal Attraction appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Fatal Attraction is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. A happily married attorney has a weekend affair that becomes a nightmare when the woman refuses to accept it's over. Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer. The R rating covers graphic sexual content, violence, and…
What age rating does Fatal Attraction have?
Fatal Attraction is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.
What is Fatal Attraction about?
A happily married attorney has a weekend affair that becomes a nightmare when the woman refuses to accept it's over. Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer. The R rating covers graphic sexual content, violence, and the film's sustained terror.
Is there sex or nudity in Fatal Attraction?
Explicit sexual content — the affair is depicted graphically. One of the most sexually frank mainstream studio films of its era.
How violent is Fatal Attraction?
A boiled rabbit. A bathroom attack. A violent drowning. The violence escalates to horror levels.
Is the language in Fatal Attraction appropriate for kids?
The film features strong language throughout, including multiple uses of the F-word and various anatomical slurs. The profanity is typically delivered during moments of intense emotional confrontation or extreme distress. As an R-rated thriller, the dialogue…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Fatal Attraction?
There is no significant use of illegal drugs or substance abuse depicted in the film. Characters are occasionally seen consuming alcohol, such as wine or cocktails, in social settings or at home, but it never reaches a level of intoxication central to the…
What mature themes appear in Fatal Attraction?
Glenn Close's Alex was intended as a tragic figure — a woman whose mental illness is exploited and then punished. The film is more ambiguous than its 'bunny boiler' cultural shorthand suggests. A marriage's hidden cracks revealed by external pressure.
How long is Fatal Attraction?
Fatal Attraction runs 119 minutes, directed by Adrian Lyne, released in 1987.
Where can I read the full Fatal Attraction parent guide?
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