Frequency (2000) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
When a rare phenomenon gives police officer John Sullivan the chance to speak to his father, 30 years in the past, he takes the opportunity to prevent his dad's tragic death. After his actions inadvertently give rise to a series of brutal murders he and his father must find a way to fix the consequences of altering time.
Rated NR • 2000 • 1h 40m
Frequency is a PG-13 thriller with a warm father-son core and a serial-killer investigation running underneath it, and the mix catches some families off guard. John Sullivan, a New York detective, finds he can speak to his late firefighter father Frank across thirty years through an old ham radio, saves his life in 1969, and in doing so accidentally lets the Nightingale killer go on to murder his mother Julia. The content parents… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Frequency appropriate for kids?
Frequency is a PG-13 thriller with a warm father-son core and a serial-killer investigation running underneath it, and the mix catches some families off guard. John Sullivan, a New York detective, finds he can speak to his late firefighter father Frank across thirty years… Read more — free account
Content severity in Frequency
What happens in Frequency, moment by moment
- 0:09 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:16 🍷 Substances 4/10
- 0:22 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
Sex and nudity in Frequency
Light throughout. Frank and Julia are shown as an affectionate married couple with kissing, dancing and warmth in the 1969 scenes, and there is some mild flirtation in the bar sequences as Frank works to identify how the killer approaches his victims. John and Samantha's relationship in 1999 is similarly restrained. There is no nudity, no sex and no sexual violence shown - the Nightingale's crimes are presented as murders rather than sexual assaults.
Violence and gore in Frequency
Moderate to strong for a PG-13, concentrated in the fire and the murder investigation. The opening warehouse blaze traps Frank in collapsing burning structure at length. The Nightingale's victims are shown strangled at crime scenes and in photographs, Julia is attacked in her own home in a sustained sequence, and the finale has a shotgun blast take off a man's hand before he is killed.
Language in Frequency
Moderate. Scattered profanity runs through the precinct, firehouse and bar scenes, escalating during the arguments about John's story and the confrontations with the killer. A small number of stronger words appear, but nothing sustained.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Frequency
Present and period-appropriate. There is a good deal of drinking in the bar scenes across both timelines, and heavy cigarette smoking through the 1969 sections, including by Frank - which the film ties directly to the lung cancer that kills him in the revised timeline.
Mature themes in Frequency
Grief and second chances drive the film - John has spent thirty years missing a father who died when he was six, and the radio gives him an impossible chance to speak to him. Against that sits the harder idea that saving one life costs others: Frank's survival leads directly to Julia's murder, and John has to watch his own memories rewrite around him. Cancer, family drinking and the fear of losing a parent are all in play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frequency appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Frequency is best for ages 13+. It's rated NR. Frequency is a PG-13 thriller with a warm father-son core and a serial-killer investigation running underneath it, and the mix catches some families off guard. John Sullivan, a New York detective, finds he can speak to…
What age rating does Frequency have?
Frequency is officially rated NR. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Frequency about?
Frequency is a PG-13 thriller with a warm father-son core and a serial-killer investigation running underneath it, and the mix catches some families off guard. John Sullivan, a New York detective, finds he can speak to his late firefighter father Frank across thirty years through an old ham radio, saves his life in…
Is there sex or nudity in Frequency?
Light throughout. Frank and Julia are shown as an affectionate married couple with kissing, dancing and warmth in the 1969 scenes, and there is some mild flirtation in the bar sequences as Frank works to identify how the killer approaches his victims. John…
How violent is Frequency?
Moderate to strong for a PG-13, concentrated in the fire and the murder investigation. The opening warehouse blaze traps Frank in collapsing burning structure at length. The Nightingale's victims are shown strangled at crime scenes and in photographs, Julia…
Is the language in Frequency appropriate for kids?
Moderate. Scattered profanity runs through the precinct, firehouse and bar scenes, escalating during the arguments about John's story and the confrontations with the killer. A small number of stronger words appear, but nothing sustained.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Frequency?
Present and period-appropriate. There is a good deal of drinking in the bar scenes across both timelines, and heavy cigarette smoking through the 1969 sections, including by Frank - which the film ties directly to the lung cancer that kills him in the revised…
What mature themes appear in Frequency?
Grief and second chances drive the film - John has spent thirty years missing a father who died when he was six, and the radio gives him an impossible chance to speak to him. Against that sits the harder idea that saving one life costs others: Frank's…
How long is Frequency?
Frequency runs 100 minutes, directed by Unknown.
Where can I read the full Frequency parent guide?
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