Kinsey (2004) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Kinsey is a portrait of researcher Alfred Kinsey, driven to uncover the most private secrets of a nation. What begins for Kinsey as a scientific endeavor soon takes on an intensely personal relevance, ultimately becoming an unexpected journey into the mystery of human behavior.
Rated R • 2004 • 1h 58m
Kinsey earns its R rating for pervasive sexual content, including graphic images, frank discussions, and nudity. The film, a biography of sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, is clinical in tone but explicit in its depiction of human sexuality, featuring scenes of male full-frontal nudity, photographs of sexual acts, and portrayals of masturbation, extramarital affairs, and homosexual encounters. Beyond the sexual content, the film includes… Sign up for the full guide
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Is Kinsey appropriate for kids?
Kinsey earns its R rating for pervasive sexual content, including graphic images, frank discussions, and nudity. The film, a biography of sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, is clinical in tone but explicit in its depiction of human sexuality, featuring scenes of male full-frontal… Read more — free account
Content severity in Kinsey
What happens in Kinsey, moment by moment
- 0:07 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:21 ♥ Sex & Nudity 4/10
- 0:29 ♥ Sex & Nudity 6/10
Sex and nudity in Kinsey
Severe and pervasive. The film's central topic is sex, and it is depicted and discussed frankly and graphically. There are multiple instances of male full-frontal and rear nudity. Highly explicit anatomical diagrams and vintage photographs of sexual acts are shown in a clinical context. The film includes portrayals of heterosexual and homosexual sex (mostly implied or brief, with some non-explicit nudity), masturbation (both solo and observed), and discussions of a very wide range of sexual practices, including…
Read more — free accountViolence and gore in Kinsey
Violence is mild and infrequent. A character demonstrates a scientific principle in a bizarre scene by having a bee sting his penis, resulting in a trickle of blood on the floor. A brief scuffle breaks out between two men but is quickly stopped. Another character's non-accidental self-injury is discussed but not shown.
Language in Kinsey
Moderate. There are about three uses of the F-word, plus other profanity including "shit" and "whore." The homophobic slur "faggot" is used. The dialogue is saturated with explicit and clinical sexual terminology (e.g., "phallus," "clitoris," "orgasm") used in a scientific, rather than obscene, context.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Kinsey
Moderate. Period-typical smoking of cigarettes and cigars, along with social drinking of alcohol, is frequent throughout the film. A central storyline involves Alfred Kinsey developing a dependence on barbiturates to cope with stress, which contributes to his declining health and is a significant plot point.
Mature themes in Kinsey
Strong and complex. The film is built on mature themes, including the conflict between scientific inquiry and religious/social morality, sexual repression, and societal hypocrisy. It explores sexual identity, infidelity, and open marriage through the experiences of its main characters. The research itself forces characters to confront disturbing topics like child sexual abuse, which are relayed in emotional interview scenes. Themes of addiction and the personal toll of controversial work are also prominent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kinsey appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Kinsey is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. Kinsey earns its R rating for pervasive sexual content, including graphic images, frank discussions, and nudity. The film, a biography of sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, is clinical in tone but explicit in its depiction…
What age rating does Kinsey have?
Kinsey is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.
What is Kinsey about?
Kinsey earns its R rating for pervasive sexual content, including graphic images, frank discussions, and nudity. The film, a biography of sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, is clinical in tone but explicit in its depiction of human sexuality, featuring scenes of male full-frontal nudity, photographs of sexual acts, and…
Is there sex or nudity in Kinsey?
Severe and pervasive. The film's central topic is sex, and it is depicted and discussed frankly and graphically. There are multiple instances of male full-frontal and rear nudity. Highly explicit anatomical diagrams and vintage photographs of sexual acts are…
How violent is Kinsey?
Violence is mild and infrequent. A character demonstrates a scientific principle in a bizarre scene by having a bee sting his penis, resulting in a trickle of blood on the floor. A brief scuffle breaks out between two men but is quickly stopped. Another…
Is the language in Kinsey appropriate for kids?
Moderate. There are about three uses of the F-word, plus other profanity including "shit" and "whore." The homophobic slur "faggot" is used. The dialogue is saturated with explicit and clinical sexual terminology (e.g., "phallus," "clitoris," "orgasm") used…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Kinsey?
Moderate. Period-typical smoking of cigarettes and cigars, along with social drinking of alcohol, is frequent throughout the film. A central storyline involves Alfred Kinsey developing a dependence on barbiturates to cope with stress, which contributes to his…
What mature themes appear in Kinsey?
Strong and complex. The film is built on mature themes, including the conflict between scientific inquiry and religious/social morality, sexual repression, and societal hypocrisy. It explores sexual identity, infidelity, and open marriage through the…
How long is Kinsey?
Kinsey runs 118 minutes, directed by Bill Condon, released in 2004.
Where can I read the full Kinsey parent guide?
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