Lionheart (1990) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Lyon Gaultier is a deserter in the Foreign Legion arriving in the USA entirely hard up. He finds his brother between life and death and his sister-in-law without the money needed to heal her husband and to maintain her child. To earn the money needed, Gaultier decides to take part in some very dangerous clandestine fights.
Rated R • 1990 • 1h 45m
Lionheart (1990) is rated R primarily for its frequent, brutal underground fight scenes and pervasive strong language. Jean-Claude Van Damme's character Lyon Gaultier fights in a series of bloody, no-holds-barred bouts to support his deceased brother's family; parents should expect closeups of blood, a man set on fire early in the film, a broken rib injury, and repeated profanity (including a reported racial slur). There is also brief… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Lionheart appropriate for kids?
Lionheart (1990) is rated R primarily for its frequent, brutal underground fight scenes and pervasive strong language. Jean-Claude Van Damme's character Lyon Gaultier fights in a series of bloody, no-holds-barred bouts to support his deceased brother's family; parents should… Read more — free account
Content severity in Lionheart
What happens in Lionheart, moment by moment
- 0:03 ⚔ Violence & Gore 8/10
- 0:04 🍷 Substances 3/10
- 0:06 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
Sex and nudity in Lionheart
Mild, brief sexual content and partial nudity used for adult atmosphere—camera lingers on cleavage and a changing-room seduction; a short, non-graphic rear nudity shot of the lead is visible. IMDb Parents Guide notes Cynthia's low-cut dress and a seduction scene in a dressing room, but no explicit sex.
Violence and gore in Lionheart
Frequent, often brutal hand-to-hand fighting across the film with several bloody closeups. Early arson (a man set on fire) and later fights include stabbing, a competitor bent unnaturally, a broken rib, and an extended, very bloody final match; IMDb Parents Guide flags the final bout and multiple graphic fight injuries.
Language in Lionheart
Strong and frequent profanity throughout, including many f-words and other harsh curses; IMDb Parents Guide reports dozens of expletives and at least one racial slur. Trash-talk and adult insults are common in fight scenes and between promoters.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Lionheart
Mild — the plot is catalyzed by a drug deal gone wrong (victim set on fire) and there is brief on-screen drinking at social/gambling scenes. IMDb Parents Guide classifies alcohol/drugs as minor; no glamorized or extended drug-use sequences are shown.
Mature themes in Lionheart
Strong themes: murder/arson, death and grief, revenge, desertion from the Foreign Legion, and family hardship are central to the plot. The film treats abandonment and guilt seriously (Lyon's desertion and his struggle to redeem himself) and culminates in an emotional reunion and moral payoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lionheart appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Lionheart is best for ages 13+. It's rated R. Lionheart (1990) is rated R primarily for its frequent, brutal underground fight scenes and pervasive strong language. Jean-Claude Van Damme's character Lyon Gaultier fights in a series of bloody, no-holds-barred bouts…
What age rating does Lionheart have?
Lionheart is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Lionheart about?
Lionheart (1990) is rated R primarily for its frequent, brutal underground fight scenes and pervasive strong language. Jean-Claude Van Damme's character Lyon Gaultier fights in a series of bloody, no-holds-barred bouts to support his deceased brother's family; parents should expect closeups of blood, a man set on fire…
Is there sex or nudity in Lionheart?
Mild, brief sexual content and partial nudity used for adult atmosphere—camera lingers on cleavage and a changing-room seduction; a short, non-graphic rear nudity shot of the lead is visible. IMDb Parents Guide notes Cynthia's low-cut dress and a seduction…
How violent is Lionheart?
Frequent, often brutal hand-to-hand fighting across the film with several bloody closeups. Early arson (a man set on fire) and later fights include stabbing, a competitor bent unnaturally, a broken rib, and an extended, very bloody final match; IMDb Parents…
Is the language in Lionheart appropriate for kids?
Strong and frequent profanity throughout, including many f-words and other harsh curses; IMDb Parents Guide reports dozens of expletives and at least one racial slur. Trash-talk and adult insults are common in fight scenes and between promoters.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Lionheart?
Mild — the plot is catalyzed by a drug deal gone wrong (victim set on fire) and there is brief on-screen drinking at social/gambling scenes. IMDb Parents Guide classifies alcohol/drugs as minor; no glamorized or extended drug-use sequences are shown.
What mature themes appear in Lionheart?
Strong themes: murder/arson, death and grief, revenge, desertion from the Foreign Legion, and family hardship are central to the plot. The film treats abandonment and guilt seriously (Lyon's desertion and his struggle to redeem himself) and culminates in an…
How long is Lionheart?
Lionheart runs 105 minutes, directed by Sheldon Lettich, released in 1990.
Where can I read the full Lionheart 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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