Poster for Silence

Silence (2016) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

In the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism.

Rated R • 2016 • 2h 41m

7.1
2K+
Average rating by Bontent members
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Age
17+

Silence is a somber historical drama directed by Martin Scorsese that examines the severe persecution of Jesuit missionaries in 17th-century Japan. The film is rated R primarily for its intense, graphic depictions of torture, execution, and extreme emotional suffering. Viewers will encounter scenes of crucifixion, drowning, and beheading, all presented with a stark, unflinching tone. Due to these disturbing themes and the pervasive… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield
Adam Driver
Adam Driver
Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson
Tadanobu Asano
Tadanobu Asano
Ciarán Hinds
Ciarán Hinds
Issey Ogata
Issey Ogata
Shinya Tsukamoto
Shinya Tsukamoto
Yoshi Oida
Yoshi Oida
Yosuke Kubozuka
Yosuke Kubozuka
KE
Kaoru Endō
DC
Diego Calderón
RK
Rafael Kading
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Is Silence appropriate for kids?

Silence is a somber historical drama directed by Martin Scorsese that examines the severe persecution of Jesuit missionaries in 17th-century Japan. The film is rated R primarily for its intense, graphic depictions of torture, execution, and extreme emotional suffering. Viewers… Read more — free account

Content severity in Silence

Sex None 0/10
Violence Intense 9/10
Language Moderate 3/10
Substances Moderate 3/10
Themes Strong 7/10

What happens in Silence, moment by moment

  1. 0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 8/10
  2. 0:25 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
  3. 0:48 ⚔ Violence & Gore 8/10
Unlock all 10 flagged moments — free account →

Sex and nudity in Silence

The film contains almost no sexual content, featuring only brief, non-sexual glimpses of traditional Japanese loincloths worn by laborers.

Violence and gore in Silence

The violence is severe, disturbing, and sustained, focusing on the systemic torture and execution of Christians. This includes scenes of characters being beheaded, drowned on crosses, and tortured in pits. The imagery is intended to be harrowing and is presented without reprieve.

Language in Silence

Language is very sparse, consisting of a few instances of blasphemous or harsh terminology used within the context of the period and religious conflict.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Silence

There is a brief scene involving a character who is intoxicated and unsteady, but substance use is not a significant focus of the narrative.

Mature themes in Silence

The film deals with intense, heavy themes, including faith, apostasy, martyrdom, and the psychological effects of extreme persecution. It explores the suffering of individuals under oppressive regimes and the moral complexity of choosing between belief and survival.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Silence appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Silence is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. Silence is a somber historical drama directed by Martin Scorsese that examines the severe persecution of Jesuit missionaries in 17th-century Japan. The film is rated R primarily for its intense, graphic depictions of…

What age rating does Silence have?

Silence is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.

What is Silence about?

Silence is a somber historical drama directed by Martin Scorsese that examines the severe persecution of Jesuit missionaries in 17th-century Japan. The film is rated R primarily for its intense, graphic depictions of torture, execution, and extreme emotional suffering. Viewers will encounter scenes of crucifixion…

Is there sex or nudity in Silence?

The film contains almost no sexual content, featuring only brief, non-sexual glimpses of traditional Japanese loincloths worn by laborers.

How violent is Silence?

The violence is severe, disturbing, and sustained, focusing on the systemic torture and execution of Christians. This includes scenes of characters being beheaded, drowned on crosses, and tortured in pits. The imagery is intended to be harrowing and is…

Is the language in Silence appropriate for kids?

Language is very sparse, consisting of a few instances of blasphemous or harsh terminology used within the context of the period and religious conflict.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Silence?

There is a brief scene involving a character who is intoxicated and unsteady, but substance use is not a significant focus of the narrative.

What mature themes appear in Silence?

The film deals with intense, heavy themes, including faith, apostasy, martyrdom, and the psychological effects of extreme persecution. It explores the suffering of individuals under oppressive regimes and the moral complexity of choosing between belief and…

How long is Silence?

Silence runs 161 minutes, directed by Martin Scorsese, released in 2016.

Where can I read the full Silence parent guide?

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