The Apartment (1960) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Bud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he's left with a major problem to solve.
Rated NR • 1960 • 2h 5m
Overall: A lowly insurance clerk lends his apartment to company executives for their affairs — and falls for the elevator operator. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Won five Academy Awards. Unrated but PG-equivalent.
Cast
Is The Apartment appropriate for kids?
Overall: A lowly insurance clerk lends his apartment to company executives for their affairs — and falls for the elevator operator. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Won five Academy Awards. Unrated but PG-equivalent. Read more — free account
Content severity in The Apartment
What happens in The Apartment, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
- 0:22 ♥ Sex & Nudity 1/10
- 0:35 🍷 Substances 1/10
Sex and nudity in The Apartment
The film's plot centers on the moral implications of married executives using a subordinate's apartment for extramarital affairs. While there is no explicit nudity, there are brief mild scenes of characters in bed together or dressing after a tryst. The dialogue frequently references adultery and the transactional nature of these romantic entanglements.
Violence and gore in The Apartment
The central conflict involves a serious suicide attempt via drug overdose, which is treated with significant emotional weight and urgency. A character is shown unconscious and requires immediate, frantic medical intervention to be revived. Additionally, there is a brief moment of physical violence when a character is punched in the face during a confrontation.
Language in The Apartment
There is no profanity of note throughout the film, adhering to the strict production standards of the early 1960s. The dialogue relies on sophisticated wordplay and euphemisms to discuss adult themes rather than offensive terminology. Occasional period-typical insults are used, but they remain mild and suitable for a general audience.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Apartment
Social drinking and tobacco use are pervasive, reflecting the corporate culture of the 1960s setting. Characters are frequently seen consuming cocktails at bars, office holiday parties, and within the apartment itself. Some scenes depict characters in various states of mild to moderate intoxication, particularly during the festive office celebrations.
Mature themes in The Apartment
A film about what people will compromise for advancement — and the cost of that compromise. Fran's suicide attempt treats the subject with genuine gravity. One of cinema's great romantic comedies that earns its warmth through darkness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Apartment appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Apartment is best for ages 14+. It's rated NR. Overall: A lowly insurance clerk lends his apartment to company executives for their affairs — and falls for the elevator operator. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Won five Academy Awards. Unrated but PG-equivalent.
What age rating does The Apartment have?
The Apartment is officially rated NR. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 14+.
What is The Apartment about?
Overall: A lowly insurance clerk lends his apartment to company executives for their affairs — and falls for the elevator operator. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Won five Academy Awards. Unrated but PG-equivalent.
Is there sex or nudity in The Apartment?
The film's plot centers on the moral implications of married executives using a subordinate's apartment for extramarital affairs. While there is no explicit nudity, there are brief mild scenes of characters in bed together or dressing after a tryst. The…
How violent is The Apartment?
The central conflict involves a serious suicide attempt via drug overdose, which is treated with significant emotional weight and urgency. A character is shown unconscious and requires immediate, frantic medical intervention to be revived. Additionally, there…
Is the language in The Apartment appropriate for kids?
There is no profanity of note throughout the film, adhering to the strict production standards of the early 1960s. The dialogue relies on sophisticated wordplay and euphemisms to discuss adult themes rather than offensive terminology. Occasional…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Apartment?
Social drinking and tobacco use are pervasive, reflecting the corporate culture of the 1960s setting. Characters are frequently seen consuming cocktails at bars, office holiday parties, and within the apartment itself. Some scenes depict characters in various…
What mature themes appear in The Apartment?
A film about what people will compromise for advancement — and the cost of that compromise. Fran's suicide attempt treats the subject with genuine gravity. One of cinema's great romantic comedies that earns its warmth through darkness.
How long is The Apartment?
The Apartment runs 125 minutes, directed by Billy Wilder, released in 1960.
Where can I read the full The Apartment 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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