Only the Brave (2017) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots battle deadly wildfires to save an Arizona town.
Rated PG-13 • 2017 • 2h 13m
Based on a tragic true story, 'Only the Brave' follows the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite firefighting crew, as they battle deadly wildfires. The film earns its PG-13 rating for thematic content, drug material, some sexual references, and language. Parents should be aware of intense and sustained scenes of peril involving catastrophic fires, a storyline involving a character's recovery from heroin addiction, and frequent… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Only the Brave appropriate for kids?
Based on a tragic true story, 'Only the Brave' follows the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite firefighting crew, as they battle deadly wildfires. The film earns its PG-13 rating for thematic content, drug material, some sexual references, and language. Parents should be aware… Read more — free account
Content severity in Only the Brave
What happens in Only the Brave, moment by moment
- 0:04 🍷 Substances 7/10
- 0:12 💬 Language 4/10
- 0:26 ♥ Sex & Nudity 3/10
Sex and nudity in Only the Brave
A couple of scenes briefly show a man's bare buttocks in a non-sexual, comedic context. There are some mild sexual references and crass banter between the firefighters, including a scene where one man shows another a photo of a woman in lingerie on his phone. A married couple shares a bath, but no nudity is visible.
Violence and gore in Only the Brave
Violence is infrequent and not graphic. The primary source of danger is from the wildfires. A character is bitten by a rattlesnake and we see his bloody leg as he's treated. A character falls asleep while driving and their car flips off-screen; they are later seen with minor cuts and bruises. Most of the film's intensity comes from natural peril rather than person-to-person violence.
Language in Only the Brave
Language is frequent throughout. The screenplay includes over 50 uses of "shit" and nearly 20 uses of "ass." Other profanity includes "bitch," "damn," "goddamn," and "hell." The F-word is used twice in non-sexual contexts.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Only the Brave
Substance use is a key part of one character's backstory. In an early scene, Brendan McDonough is shown smoking an unspecified drug from a glass pipe. His past heroin addiction is a central theme of his character arc, and there are discussions about his sobriety. Characters are also shown drinking beer and whiskey socially in bars and at a picnic.
Mature themes in Only the Brave
The film's themes are mature and emotionally intense. It deals heavily with concepts of heroism, sacrifice, brotherhood, and redemption from addiction. The final third of the film is tragic, unflinchingly depicting the deaths of 19 firefighters. It explores the immense grief of their families and the profound survivor's guilt experienced by the lone crewmember who lived, making the ending emotionally challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Only the Brave appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Only the Brave is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Based on a tragic true story, 'Only the Brave' follows the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite firefighting crew, as they battle deadly wildfires. The film earns its PG-13 rating for thematic content, drug material…
What age rating does Only the Brave have?
Only the Brave is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Only the Brave about?
Based on a tragic true story, 'Only the Brave' follows the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite firefighting crew, as they battle deadly wildfires. The film earns its PG-13 rating for thematic content, drug material, some sexual references, and language. Parents should be aware of intense and sustained scenes of peril…
Is there sex or nudity in Only the Brave?
A couple of scenes briefly show a man's bare buttocks in a non-sexual, comedic context. There are some mild sexual references and crass banter between the firefighters, including a scene where one man shows another a photo of a woman in lingerie on his phone…
How violent is Only the Brave?
Violence is infrequent and not graphic. The primary source of danger is from the wildfires. A character is bitten by a rattlesnake and we see his bloody leg as he's treated. A character falls asleep while driving and their car flips off-screen; they are later…
Is the language in Only the Brave appropriate for kids?
Language is frequent throughout. The screenplay includes over 50 uses of "shit" and nearly 20 uses of "ass." Other profanity includes "bitch," "damn," "goddamn," and "hell." The F-word is used twice in non-sexual contexts.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Only the Brave?
Substance use is a key part of one character's backstory. In an early scene, Brendan McDonough is shown smoking an unspecified drug from a glass pipe. His past heroin addiction is a central theme of his character arc, and there are discussions about his…
What mature themes appear in Only the Brave?
The film's themes are mature and emotionally intense. It deals heavily with concepts of heroism, sacrifice, brotherhood, and redemption from addiction. The final third of the film is tragic, unflinchingly depicting the deaths of 19 firefighters. It explores…
How long is Only the Brave?
Only the Brave runs 133 minutes, directed by Joseph Kosinski, released in 2017.
Where can I read the full Only the Brave parent guide?
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