My Sister's Keeper (2009) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Sara and Brian live an idyllic life with their young son and daughter. But their family is rocked by sudden, heartbreaking news that forces them to make a difficult and unorthodox choice in order to save their baby girl's life. The parents' desperate decision raises both ethical and moral questions and rips away at the foundation of their relationship. Their actions ultimately set off a court case that threatens to tear the family apart, while revealing surprising truths that challenge everyone's perceptions of love and loyalty and… Sign up for the full guide
Rated PG-13 • 2009 • 1h 49m
My Sister's Keeper received its PG-13 rating primarily for its intense and mature thematic material concerning a teenager's terminal battle with cancer. The film explores complex ethical questions about a "savior sibling" and features a lawsuit between a child and her parents. Parents should be aware of scenes involving medical procedures, a character's suicide attempt via prescription drug overdose, and a brief, non-explicit sexual… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is My Sister's Keeper appropriate for kids?
My Sister's Keeper received its PG-13 rating primarily for its intense and mature thematic material concerning a teenager's terminal battle with cancer. The film explores complex ethical questions about a "savior sibling" and features a lawsuit between a child and her parents… Read more — free account
Content severity in My Sister's Keeper
What happens in My Sister's Keeper, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:12 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
- 0:22 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
Sex and nudity in My Sister's Keeper
There is one brief sexual situation. Teenage characters Kate and Taylor, both cancer patients, are shown kissing and beginning to undress before the scene cuts away. It is implied they have sex. The scene is handled emotionally rather than graphically and there is no nudity.
Violence and gore in My Sister's Keeper
Violence is medical and psychological rather than traditional. There are multiple scenes involving needles, IVs, and discussions of painful medical procedures like bone marrow extraction. A character's nosebleed is shown. A main character has an epileptic seizure in a courtroom, which is sudden and could be startling. A character's suicide attempt by drug overdose is a central, though not visually graphic, plot point.
Language in My Sister's Keeper
Language is moderate and used infrequently during moments of emotional distress. Expect some uses of "s--t," "hell," and "damn" during family arguments and stressful situations.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in My Sister's Keeper
Substance use is a significant element. Opioid painkillers and other prescription drugs are frequently shown and discussed as part of Kate's cancer treatment. A central and intense scene involves Kate attempting suicide by overdosing on these painkillers.
Mature themes in My Sister's Keeper
The film is built on intense and mature themes. The primary focus is on terminal illness, the process of dying, and grief. It deals with profound medical ethics, a family being torn apart by a lawsuit, parental neglect of a healthy sibling, and a teenager's decision to end her life. The on-screen death of a child and the family's subsequent mourning are central to the film's conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Sister's Keeper appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests My Sister's Keeper is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. My Sister's Keeper received its PG-13 rating primarily for its intense and mature thematic material concerning a teenager's terminal battle with cancer. The film explores complex ethical questions about a "savior…
What age rating does My Sister's Keeper have?
My Sister's Keeper is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is My Sister's Keeper about?
My Sister's Keeper received its PG-13 rating primarily for its intense and mature thematic material concerning a teenager's terminal battle with cancer. The film explores complex ethical questions about a "savior sibling" and features a lawsuit between a child and her parents. Parents should be aware of scenes…
Is there sex or nudity in My Sister's Keeper?
There is one brief sexual situation. Teenage characters Kate and Taylor, both cancer patients, are shown kissing and beginning to undress before the scene cuts away. It is implied they have sex. The scene is handled emotionally rather than graphically and…
How violent is My Sister's Keeper?
Violence is medical and psychological rather than traditional. There are multiple scenes involving needles, IVs, and discussions of painful medical procedures like bone marrow extraction. A character's nosebleed is shown. A main character has an epileptic…
Is the language in My Sister's Keeper appropriate for kids?
Language is moderate and used infrequently during moments of emotional distress. Expect some uses of "s--t," "hell," and "damn" during family arguments and stressful situations.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in My Sister's Keeper?
Substance use is a significant element. Opioid painkillers and other prescription drugs are frequently shown and discussed as part of Kate's cancer treatment. A central and intense scene involves Kate attempting suicide by overdosing on these painkillers.
What mature themes appear in My Sister's Keeper?
The film is built on intense and mature themes. The primary focus is on terminal illness, the process of dying, and grief. It deals with profound medical ethics, a family being torn apart by a lawsuit, parental neglect of a healthy sibling, and a teenager's…
How long is My Sister's Keeper?
My Sister's Keeper runs 109 minutes, directed by Nick Cassavetes, released in 2009.
Where can I read the full My Sister's Keeper 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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