Joker (2019) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Joker is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. Joker is a dark, character-driven psychological thriller that explores the descent into madness of Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill man living in 1980s Gotham City. It is rated R primarily for pervasive, gritty violence…

Joker is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.

Joker is a dark, character-driven psychological thriller that explores the descent into madness of Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill man living in 1980s Gotham City. It is rated R primarily for pervasive, gritty violence, disturbing psychological content, and themes of societal collapse and nihilism. Parents should be…

Content is minimal and brief, limited to implied intimacy and obscured imagery of nudity in posters or magazines.

The film features strong, bloody violence including stabbings, shootings, and physical beatings that are often graphic in their aftermath.

Moderate profanity is used throughout, including approximately 20 uses of 'f-bomb' and various other derogatory terms.

Arthur smokes cigarettes incessantly throughout the film and is frequently shown using prescription medication for his neurological condition.

The narrative deals heavily with themes of severe mental illness, social neglect, nihilism, suicide ideation, and the trauma of physical and sexual child abuse.

Joker runs 122 minutes, directed by Todd Phillips, released in 2019.

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