Official Secrets (2019) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
The true story of British intelligence whistleblower Katharine Gun who—prior to the 2003 Iraq invasion—leaked a top-secret NSA memo exposing a joint US-UK illegal spying operation against members of the UN Security Council. The memo proposed blackmailing member states into voting for war.
Rated R • 2019 • 1h 52m
The true story of Katharine Gun, a GCHQ translator who leaked an NSA memo revealing attempts to spy on UN Security Council members in the lead-up to the Iraq War. Keira Knightley is excellent. The R rating is primarily for language. An important, accessible film about whistleblowing.
Cast
Is Official Secrets appropriate for kids?
The true story of Katharine Gun, a GCHQ translator who leaked an NSA memo revealing attempts to spy on UN Security Council members in the lead-up to the Iraq War. Keira Knightley is excellent. The R rating is primarily for language. An important, accessible film about… Read more — free account
Content severity in Official Secrets
What happens in Official Secrets, moment by moment
- 0:10 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:25 💬 Language 4/10
- 0:45 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
Sex and nudity in Official Secrets
There is no sexual content or nudity featured in the film. The story focuses entirely on the legal and political ramifications of the protagonist's actions, maintaining a professional and serious tone throughout.
Violence and gore in Official Secrets
Physical violence and gore are absent from this production. While there are no action sequences or physical altercations, the threat of state power and legal prosecution creates a high level of psychological tension for the characters.
Language in Official Secrets
The film contains frequent strong language, including multiple uses of the f-word, which accounts for its R rating. The profanity is generally used to express frustration or urgency in high-stakes political and legal environments rather than being directed as insults.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Official Secrets
There is no significant use of illegal drugs or alcohol abuse depicted in the movie. Characters may be seen in social or professional settings where drinking is normalized, but substance use is not a focal point or a plot driver.
Mature themes in Official Secrets
Government surveillance and deception in the lead-up to the Iraq War. Whistleblowing and its personal cost — Katharine faced prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. The legal argument that exposing illegal activity in service of an illegal war is not itself illegal. A clear-eyed film about institutional dishonesty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Official Secrets appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Official Secrets is best for ages 14+. It's rated R. The true story of Katharine Gun, a GCHQ translator who leaked an NSA memo revealing attempts to spy on UN Security Council members in the lead-up to the Iraq War. Keira Knightley is excellent. The R rating is primarily…
What age rating does Official Secrets have?
Official Secrets is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 14+.
What is Official Secrets about?
The true story of Katharine Gun, a GCHQ translator who leaked an NSA memo revealing attempts to spy on UN Security Council members in the lead-up to the Iraq War. Keira Knightley is excellent. The R rating is primarily for language. An important, accessible film about whistleblowing.
Is there sex or nudity in Official Secrets?
There is no sexual content or nudity featured in the film. The story focuses entirely on the legal and political ramifications of the protagonist's actions, maintaining a professional and serious tone throughout.
How violent is Official Secrets?
Physical violence and gore are absent from this production. While there are no action sequences or physical altercations, the threat of state power and legal prosecution creates a high level of psychological tension for the characters.
Is the language in Official Secrets appropriate for kids?
The film contains frequent strong language, including multiple uses of the f-word, which accounts for its R rating. The profanity is generally used to express frustration or urgency in high-stakes political and legal environments rather than being directed as…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Official Secrets?
There is no significant use of illegal drugs or alcohol abuse depicted in the movie. Characters may be seen in social or professional settings where drinking is normalized, but substance use is not a focal point or a plot driver.
What mature themes appear in Official Secrets?
Government surveillance and deception in the lead-up to the Iraq War. Whistleblowing and its personal cost — Katharine faced prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. The legal argument that exposing illegal activity in service of an illegal war is not…
How long is Official Secrets?
Official Secrets runs 112 minutes, directed by Gavin Hood, released in 2019.
Where can I read the full Official Secrets 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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