The Arrival (1996) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Zane Ziminski is an astrophysicist who receives a message that seems to have extraterrestrial origins. Eerily soon after his discovery, Zane is fired. He then embarks on a search to determine the origins of the transmission that leads him into a Hitchcockian labyrinth of paranoia and intrigue.
Rated PG-13 • 1996 • 1h 55m
The Arrival is a PG-13 sci-fi thriller about an astronomer, Zane Ziminski, who uncovers an alien conspiracy to terraform Earth. The rating is for sci-fi violence, some unsettling images, and language. Key scenes for parents to note include a woman being killed by a swarm of scorpions (implied but intense), a character being pistol-whipped, and several confrontations where aliens are dispatched using liquid nitrogen. The film contains… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Arrival appropriate for kids?
The Arrival is a PG-13 sci-fi thriller about an astronomer, Zane Ziminski, who uncovers an alien conspiracy to terraform Earth. The rating is for sci-fi violence, some unsettling images, and language. Key scenes for parents to note include a woman being killed by a swarm of… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Arrival
What happens in The Arrival, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:15 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 0:28 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
Sex and nudity in The Arrival
Sexual content is very light. In one scene, a man is shown shirtless in bed while a woman invites him to join her. In another sequence, a man jumps out of a bathtub, but no private parts are shown. A woman is briefly seen from behind covering her breasts on a toilet after a ceiling collapses.
Violence and gore in The Arrival
Violence is moderate and consistent with its PG-13 rating. A main character, Zane, is pistol-whipped. A woman is killed in an intense scene where scorpions are released into her hotel room; she is seen screaming and her twisted body is shown later. Another character is found dead from implied murder made to look like an accident. The climax features sci-fi action where Zane uses liquid nitrogen to freeze several alien agents, and one has his arm cut off (not graphically depicted).
Language in The Arrival
Language is moderate, contributing to the PG-13 rating. The dialogue includes one use of the 'f'-word. There are also approximately 10 uses of the 's'-word, as well as several instances of 'ass,' 'damn,' 'hell,' and exclamatory uses of 'Jesus' and 'God'.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Arrival
Substance use is very mild. In one scene, a character is questioned about his alcohol consumption from the previous night. An interrogator holds an unlit cigarette but is never shown smoking it. There is no other significant depiction of drug or alcohol use.
Mature themes in The Arrival
The film contains mature and intense thematic material. The central plot revolves around a vast, deadly conspiracy and creates a strong atmosphere of paranoia and dread, as the protagonist is hunted, discredited, and framed for murder. Themes include the existential threat of an alien invasion, large-scale environmental destruction as a form of genocide, betrayal by trusted figures, and murder. The aliens' true form can be frightening for younger viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Arrival appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Arrival is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The Arrival is a PG-13 sci-fi thriller about an astronomer, Zane Ziminski, who uncovers an alien conspiracy to terraform Earth. The rating is for sci-fi violence, some unsettling images, and language. Key scenes for…
What age rating does The Arrival have?
The Arrival is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Arrival about?
The Arrival is a PG-13 sci-fi thriller about an astronomer, Zane Ziminski, who uncovers an alien conspiracy to terraform Earth. The rating is for sci-fi violence, some unsettling images, and language. Key scenes for parents to note include a woman being killed by a swarm of scorpions (implied but intense), a character…
Is there sex or nudity in The Arrival?
Sexual content is very light. In one scene, a man is shown shirtless in bed while a woman invites him to join her. In another sequence, a man jumps out of a bathtub, but no private parts are shown. A woman is briefly seen from behind covering her breasts on a…
How violent is The Arrival?
Violence is moderate and consistent with its PG-13 rating. A main character, Zane, is pistol-whipped. A woman is killed in an intense scene where scorpions are released into her hotel room; she is seen screaming and her twisted body is shown later. Another…
Is the language in The Arrival appropriate for kids?
Language is moderate, contributing to the PG-13 rating. The dialogue includes one use of the 'f'-word. There are also approximately 10 uses of the 's'-word, as well as several instances of 'ass,' 'damn,' 'hell,' and exclamatory uses of 'Jesus' and 'God'.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Arrival?
Substance use is very mild. In one scene, a character is questioned about his alcohol consumption from the previous night. An interrogator holds an unlit cigarette but is never shown smoking it. There is no other significant depiction of drug or alcohol use.
What mature themes appear in The Arrival?
The film contains mature and intense thematic material. The central plot revolves around a vast, deadly conspiracy and creates a strong atmosphere of paranoia and dread, as the protagonist is hunted, discredited, and framed for murder. Themes include the…
How long is The Arrival?
The Arrival runs 115 minutes, directed by David Twohy, released in 1996.
Where can I read the full The Arrival parent guide?
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