Problem Child (1990) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Ben Healy and his social climbing wife Flo adopt fun-loving seven year old Junior. But they soon discover he's a little monster as he turns a camping trip, a birthday party and even a baseball game into comic nightmares.
Rated PG • 1990 • 1h 21m
Problem Child is a dark comedy whose PG rating belies its mean-spirited tone and surprisingly mature content. The film's rating is primarily due to frequent, over-the-top slapstick violence, where the young protagonist, Junior, causes fires, car crashes, and injures people in comedic ways. Parents should be aware of language that is strong for a PG film, including terms like "dickhead" and a racial slur, as well as mature themes of… Sign up for the full guide
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Is Problem Child appropriate for kids?
Problem Child is a dark comedy whose PG rating belies its mean-spirited tone and surprisingly mature content. The film's rating is primarily due to frequent, over-the-top slapstick violence, where the young protagonist, Junior, causes fires, car crashes, and injures people in… Read more — free account
Content severity in Problem Child
What happens in Problem Child, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:10 💬 Language 5/10
- 0:15 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
Sex and nudity in Problem Child
Content is mild and infrequent. A character briefly moons a television camera in a comedic scene. In another scene, it is implied that Junior took inappropriate photos of nuns showering and a priest using the toilet, though nothing is shown. There is a brief, intense kiss between two adult characters.
Violence and gore in Problem Child
Violence is frequent, sustained, and presented as comedy. Most of it is slapstick, but often destructive and mean-spirited. Junior causes a house fire, uses a baseball bat to hit other children in the crotch, and causes a campfire to explode, burning an adult. The plot involves a kidnapping at gunpoint, a car chase with a shootout, and a character being shot (though they are saved by an object in their pocket). A woman is stuffed into a suitcase and punched.
Language in Problem Child
For a PG-rated film, the language is moderate. Multiple uses of terms like "ass," "hell," and "Goddamn" are present. The words "dick" and "dickhead" are used, including by a parrot taught by the main child character. One character uses the derogatory term "Japs," and the word "retarded" is used once.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Problem Child
Substance use is very light. A couple of adult characters are seen smoking cigarettes in passing. One brief scene takes place in a bar where adults are drinking beer and watching television.
Mature themes in Problem Child
The film's central themes are quite dark for a family comedy. The primary theme is child abandonment and neglect, shown as Junior has been returned to an orphanage 30 times and acts out as a result of his trauma. A disturbing subplot involves Junior being pen pals with an escaped serial killer, who later kidnaps him. Cruelty, bullying, and general antisocial behavior are pervasive throughout the story.
Scary moments in Problem Child
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Problem Child yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Problem Child appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Problem Child is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. Problem Child is a dark comedy whose PG rating belies its mean-spirited tone and surprisingly mature content. The film's rating is primarily due to frequent, over-the-top slapstick violence, where the young protagonist…
What age rating does Problem Child have?
Problem Child is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is Problem Child about?
Problem Child is a dark comedy whose PG rating belies its mean-spirited tone and surprisingly mature content. The film's rating is primarily due to frequent, over-the-top slapstick violence, where the young protagonist, Junior, causes fires, car crashes, and injures people in comedic ways. Parents should be aware of…
Is there sex or nudity in Problem Child?
Content is mild and infrequent. A character briefly moons a television camera in a comedic scene. In another scene, it is implied that Junior took inappropriate photos of nuns showering and a priest using the toilet, though nothing is shown. There is a brief…
How violent is Problem Child?
Violence is frequent, sustained, and presented as comedy. Most of it is slapstick, but often destructive and mean-spirited. Junior causes a house fire, uses a baseball bat to hit other children in the crotch, and causes a campfire to explode, burning an…
Is the language in Problem Child appropriate for kids?
For a PG-rated film, the language is moderate. Multiple uses of terms like "ass," "hell," and "Goddamn" are present. The words "dick" and "dickhead" are used, including by a parrot taught by the main child character. One character uses the derogatory term…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Problem Child?
Substance use is very light. A couple of adult characters are seen smoking cigarettes in passing. One brief scene takes place in a bar where adults are drinking beer and watching television.
What mature themes appear in Problem Child?
The film's central themes are quite dark for a family comedy. The primary theme is child abandonment and neglect, shown as Junior has been returned to an orphanage 30 times and acts out as a result of his trauma. A disturbing subplot involves Junior being pen…
How long is Problem Child?
Problem Child runs 81 minutes, directed by Dennis Dugan, released in 1990.
Where can I read the full Problem Child parent guide?
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