Just Mercy (2019) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
The powerful true story of Harvard-educated lawyer Bryan Stevenson, who goes to Alabama to defend the disenfranchised and wrongly condemned — including Walter McMillian, a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence. Bryan fights tirelessly for Walter with the system stacked against them.
Rated PG-13 • 2019 • 2h 17m
Overall: A young Harvard-educated lawyer returns to Alabama to work with wrongly convicted prisoners on death row — and fights for Walter McMillian, convicted without evidence of a murder he didn't commit. Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. PG-13 rating is appropriate.
Cast
Is Just Mercy appropriate for kids?
Overall: A young Harvard-educated lawyer returns to Alabama to work with wrongly convicted prisoners on death row — and fights for Walter McMillian, convicted without evidence of a murder he didn't commit. Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. PG-13 rating is appropriate. Read more — free account
Content severity in Just Mercy
What happens in Just Mercy, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:18 💬 Language 4/10
- 0:42 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
Sex and nudity in Just Mercy
There is no sexual content or nudity featured in this film. The story maintains a professional focus on legal proceedings and racial justice, avoiding romantic or suggestive subplots completely.
Violence and gore in Just Mercy
The film contains a sobering and prolonged sequence depicting an execution via electric chair, which focuses on the emotional dread rather than gore. Other scenes include instances of police intimidation, such as a man being held at gunpoint during a traffic stop, and the overarching threat of state-sanctioned violence against the wrongly accused.
Language in Just Mercy
Moderate language is used throughout the film, including several uses of the s-word and various other profanities. Most notably, the dialogue includes period-accurate racial slurs and derogatory epithets used by white characters to demean and threaten Black characters, reflecting the intense bigotry of the 1980s Alabama setting.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Just Mercy
There is no significant use of illegal drugs or alcohol abuse depicted in the movie. The characters are primarily shown in professional or correctional settings where substance use is absent, keeping the focus on the legal drama.
Mature themes in Just Mercy
The American justice system's failure of Black defendants as a systemic rather than individual problem. Bryan Stevenson's work as the real-world foundation. Jamie Foxx's Walter McMillian is a heartbreaking portrait of a man watching injustice consume him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Just Mercy appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Just Mercy is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Overall: A young Harvard-educated lawyer returns to Alabama to work with wrongly convicted prisoners on death row — and fights for Walter McMillian, convicted without evidence of a murder he didn't commit. Michael B…
What age rating does Just Mercy have?
Just Mercy is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Just Mercy about?
Overall: A young Harvard-educated lawyer returns to Alabama to work with wrongly convicted prisoners on death row — and fights for Walter McMillian, convicted without evidence of a murder he didn't commit. Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. PG-13 rating is appropriate.
Is there sex or nudity in Just Mercy?
There is no sexual content or nudity featured in this film. The story maintains a professional focus on legal proceedings and racial justice, avoiding romantic or suggestive subplots completely.
How violent is Just Mercy?
The film contains a sobering and prolonged sequence depicting an execution via electric chair, which focuses on the emotional dread rather than gore. Other scenes include instances of police intimidation, such as a man being held at gunpoint during a traffic…
Is the language in Just Mercy appropriate for kids?
Moderate language is used throughout the film, including several uses of the s-word and various other profanities. Most notably, the dialogue includes period-accurate racial slurs and derogatory epithets used by white characters to demean and threaten Black…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Just Mercy?
There is no significant use of illegal drugs or alcohol abuse depicted in the movie. The characters are primarily shown in professional or correctional settings where substance use is absent, keeping the focus on the legal drama.
What mature themes appear in Just Mercy?
The American justice system's failure of Black defendants as a systemic rather than individual problem. Bryan Stevenson's work as the real-world foundation. Jamie Foxx's Walter McMillian is a heartbreaking portrait of a man watching injustice consume him.
How long is Just Mercy?
Just Mercy runs 137 minutes, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, released in 2019.
Where can I read the full Just Mercy 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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