Like Father, Like Son (2013) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: Like Father, Like Son
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Released: 2013
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 7.7

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Ryota Nonomiya is a successful businessman driven by money. He learns that his biological son was switched with another child after birth. He must make a life-changing decision and choose his true son or the boy he raised as his own.

Rated G • 2013 • 2h 0m

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda

7.7

800+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

Like Father, Like Son is a gentle, emotionally resonant drama about two families forced to confront a life-altering mistake after discovering their young sons were switched at birth. The film is rated G and is largely free of explicit content, focusing instead on deep themes of parenting, identity, and the meaning of family. Parents should be aware of high emotional stakes and some scenes of child distress, which may be more impactful… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Masaharu Fukuyama

Machiko Ono

Yoko Maki

Lily Franky

Jun Fubuki

Jun Kunimura

Kirin Kiki

Isao Natsuyagi

Arata Iura

Keita Ninomiya

Shôgen Hwang

Yuri Nakamura

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Is Like Father, Like Son appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Like Father, Like Son

Sex Mild 1/10

Violence Mild 2/10

Language Mild 2/10

Substances Mild 1/10

Themes Moderate 3/10

What happens in Like Father, Like Son, moment by moment

0:15 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
0:20 🍷 Substances 1/10
0:45 ♥ Sex & Nudity 1/10

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Sex and nudity in Like Father, Like Son

There is a single, passing, and non-explicit verbal reference to prostitution mentioned in passing by one of the characters.

Violence and gore in Like Father, Like Son

There is no physical violence present, though one scene features a character berating another and a minor physical intervention when a stepson steps in to defend his parent.

Language in Like Father, Like Son

Very mild, rare profanity occurs, though the frequency and severity depend on the specific translation and subtitle quality.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Like Father, Like Son

There is occasional social drinking and minor smoking by adult characters, but these are incidental and never depicted as a significant issue.

Mature themes in Like Father, Like Son

The film explores intense, emotionally charged themes including the grief of losing a child, the moral dilemma of family identity, and the social inequality between the two households. The narrative focuses heavily on the confusion and abandonment felt by the children, which can be distressing for sensitive viewers.

Scary moments in Like Father, Like Son

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Like Father, Like Son yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Like Father, Like Son appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Like Father, Like Son is best for ages 7+. It's rated G. Like Father, Like Son is a gentle, emotionally resonant drama about two families forced to confront a life-altering mistake after discovering their young sons were switched at birth. The film is rated G and is largely…

What age rating does Like Father, Like Son have?

Like Father, Like Son is officially rated G. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 7+.

What is Like Father, Like Son about?

Is there sex or nudity in Like Father, Like Son?

There is a single, passing, and non-explicit verbal reference to prostitution mentioned in passing by one of the characters.

How violent is Like Father, Like Son?

There is no physical violence present, though one scene features a character berating another and a minor physical intervention when a stepson steps in to defend his parent.

Is the language in Like Father, Like Son appropriate for kids?

Very mild, rare profanity occurs, though the frequency and severity depend on the specific translation and subtitle quality.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Like Father, Like Son?

There is occasional social drinking and minor smoking by adult characters, but these are incidental and never depicted as a significant issue.

What mature themes appear in Like Father, Like Son?

How long is Like Father, Like Son?

Like Father, Like Son runs 120 minutes, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, released in 2013.

Where can I read the full Like Father, Like Son 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.