Love & Mercy (2015) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Love & Mercy is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Love & Mercy explores the life of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, alternating between his 1960s creative peak and his 1980s struggle under a controlling therapist. The film is rated PG-13 primarily for its portrayal of…

Love & Mercy is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.

Love & Mercy explores the life of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, alternating between his 1960s creative peak and his 1980s struggle under a controlling therapist. The film is rated PG-13 primarily for its portrayal of mental health, substance use, and emotionally intense interpersonal dynamics. Parents should be…

There are brief, non-explicit romantic moments, including scenes of kissing and one instance where a man and woman are seen on a couch under a blanket with the implication of recent sexual activity.

There is no graphic violence. The film features verbal threats and mentions of physical abuse suffered by Brian at the hands of his father, which resulted in significant hearing loss.

The dialogue includes two instances of the F-word and sporadic use of coarse language, including terms like 'slut,' 'bitch,' and 'goddamn.'

The film depicts moderate drug use throughout, including characters smoking joints and the protagonist struggling with LSD and other unidentified substances to cope with his mental instability.

The narrative focuses on the severe challenges of living with psychosis, the dynamics of a controlling and exploitative guardianship, and the trauma resulting from past domestic abuse.

Love & Mercy runs 120 minutes, directed by Bill Pohlad, released in 2015.

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