Miss Bala (2019) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Gloria finds a power she never knew she had when she is drawn into a dangerous world of cross-border crime. Surviving will require all of her cunning, inventiveness, and strength.
Rated PG-13 • 2019 • 1h 44m
Miss Bala (2019) earns its PG-13 rating for pervasive, though not graphic, gun violence and strong thematic material. The plot follows an American woman, Gloria, who is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel and forced to participate in their criminal activities. Parents should be aware of frequent shootouts, car bombings, and several on-screen deaths. The film also contains mature themes of kidnapping and forced prostitution, a scene… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Miss Bala appropriate for kids?
Miss Bala (2019) earns its PG-13 rating for pervasive, though not graphic, gun violence and strong thematic material. The plot follows an American woman, Gloria, who is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel and forced to participate in their criminal activities. Parents should be… Read more — free account
Content severity in Miss Bala
What happens in Miss Bala, moment by moment
- 0:12 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:18 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
- 0:25 💬 Language 3/10
Sex and nudity in Miss Bala
This film contains some sexual content and strong thematic material related to sex. A woman is forced to undress to her bra and panties at gunpoint to be checked for a wire. The plot centrally involves a friend being sold into a forced prostitution ring, which is discussed and a key motivator, though not depicted graphically. Another scene shows women in revealing outfits at a beauty pageant, and a man briefly gropes a woman's buttocks in a nightclub. A woman's bare back is briefly visible in a shower.
Violence and gore in Miss Bala
Violence is frequent and a core part of the plot, though it is not particularly graphic or gory. There are multiple intense shootouts with automatic weapons in settings like a nightclub, a residential area, and at an arms deal, resulting in many characters being shot and killed with little blood shown. A major car bombing is depicted. Characters are kidnapped at gunpoint. In the climax, a character is used as a human shield, shot in the leg, and then shot and killed. The protagonist also shoots and kills a main…
Read more — free accountLanguage in Miss Bala
Language is present but mild for a PG-13 film. It includes occasional use of words like "shit," "bitch," "damn," and "hell," often during moments of high stress or action.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Miss Bala
Substance use is moderate. The plot revolves around a drug cartel, and there are scenes where characters handle and exchange large quantities of cocaine. Characters also drink alcohol in social settings like a nightclub and a party, and some characters smoke cigarettes.
Mature themes in Miss Bala
The film is built on strong and mature themes. Kidnapping and coercion are central, as the protagonist Gloria is held against her will and forced to commit crimes. The plot also deals with police and government corruption, the brutal realities of organized crime, betrayal by supposed allies, and human trafficking (specifically forced prostitution). Characters must make difficult moral choices under duress, and several main characters are killed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miss Bala appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Miss Bala is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Miss Bala (2019) earns its PG-13 rating for pervasive, though not graphic, gun violence and strong thematic material. The plot follows an American woman, Gloria, who is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel and forced to…
What age rating does Miss Bala have?
Miss Bala is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Miss Bala about?
Miss Bala (2019) earns its PG-13 rating for pervasive, though not graphic, gun violence and strong thematic material. The plot follows an American woman, Gloria, who is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel and forced to participate in their criminal activities. Parents should be aware of frequent shootouts, car…
Is there sex or nudity in Miss Bala?
This film contains some sexual content and strong thematic material related to sex. A woman is forced to undress to her bra and panties at gunpoint to be checked for a wire. The plot centrally involves a friend being sold into a forced prostitution ring…
How violent is Miss Bala?
Violence is frequent and a core part of the plot, though it is not particularly graphic or gory. There are multiple intense shootouts with automatic weapons in settings like a nightclub, a residential area, and at an arms deal, resulting in many characters…
Is the language in Miss Bala appropriate for kids?
Language is present but mild for a PG-13 film. It includes occasional use of words like "shit," "bitch," "damn," and "hell," often during moments of high stress or action.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Miss Bala?
Substance use is moderate. The plot revolves around a drug cartel, and there are scenes where characters handle and exchange large quantities of cocaine. Characters also drink alcohol in social settings like a nightclub and a party, and some characters smoke…
What mature themes appear in Miss Bala?
The film is built on strong and mature themes. Kidnapping and coercion are central, as the protagonist Gloria is held against her will and forced to commit crimes. The plot also deals with police and government corruption, the brutal realities of organized…
How long is Miss Bala?
Miss Bala runs 104 minutes, directed by Catherine Hardwicke, released in 2019.
Where can I read the full Miss Bala 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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