The Box (2009) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Norma and Arthur Lewis, a suburban couple with a young child, receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button. However pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human being somewhere in the world; someone they don't know. With just 24 hours to have the box in their possession, Norma and Arthur find themselves in the cross-hairs of a startling… Sign up for the full guide
Rated PG-13 • 2009 • 1h 55m
The Box is a science-fiction thriller that earns its PG-13 rating with its intense and disturbing thematic content. The film centers on a couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who are given a box that will grant them $1 million if they press a button, but doing so will kill a stranger. The primary concerns for parents are not gore or language, but the film's heavy moral questions, pervasive sense of dread, and emotionally devastating… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Box appropriate for kids?
The Box is a science-fiction thriller that earns its PG-13 rating with its intense and disturbing thematic content. The film centers on a couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who are given a box that will grant them $1 million if they press a button, but doing so will kill a… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Box
What happens in The Box, moment by moment
- 0:05 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
- 0:11 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:15 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
Sex and nudity in The Box
Sexual content is very mild. A married couple kisses passionately and is seen in bed together, though fully clothed. In one scene, a student uses the term "slut" to describe a literary character. There is also a brief, passing joke at a dinner party about couples "swapping" private photographs.
Violence and gore in The Box
Violence is moderate but can be psychologically jarring. The film culminates in a scene where a man shoots his wife in the chest; the moment is not graphic but is emotionally intense. Other scenes include the kidnapping of a child, a man being held at gunpoint, and a character being suddenly hit by a truck. There are also several unsettling, non-gory instances of characters developing sudden, unexplained nosebleeds.
Language in The Box
Language is infrequent and mild. The IMDb guide notes one use of a scatological term and several mild obscenities like "damn." Religious exclamations such as "Jesus" are also used a few times.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Box
Substance use is minimal and period-appropriate for the 1970s setting. Characters are seen smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol (wine, champagne) in social settings like a dinner party, but there is no depiction of drunkenness or substance abuse.
Mature themes in The Box
The film is built on strong, disturbing themes. The central plot is a severe moral test involving willingly causing a stranger's death for financial gain. It explores concepts of greed, sacrifice, and paranoia as the characters are drawn into a vast, terrifying conspiracy. The most intense thematic material involves a child being afflicted with deafness and blindness as a direct consequence of his parents' choice, leading to a horrifying final ultimatum where one parent must kill the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Box appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Box is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The Box is a science-fiction thriller that earns its PG-13 rating with its intense and disturbing thematic content. The film centers on a couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who are given a box that will grant them $1…
What age rating does The Box have?
The Box is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Box about?
The Box is a science-fiction thriller that earns its PG-13 rating with its intense and disturbing thematic content. The film centers on a couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who are given a box that will grant them $1 million if they press a button, but doing so will kill a stranger. The primary concerns for parents are…
Is there sex or nudity in The Box?
Sexual content is very mild. A married couple kisses passionately and is seen in bed together, though fully clothed. In one scene, a student uses the term "slut" to describe a literary character. There is also a brief, passing joke at a dinner party about…
How violent is The Box?
Violence is moderate but can be psychologically jarring. The film culminates in a scene where a man shoots his wife in the chest; the moment is not graphic but is emotionally intense. Other scenes include the kidnapping of a child, a man being held at…
Is the language in The Box appropriate for kids?
Language is infrequent and mild. The IMDb guide notes one use of a scatological term and several mild obscenities like "damn." Religious exclamations such as "Jesus" are also used a few times.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Box?
Substance use is minimal and period-appropriate for the 1970s setting. Characters are seen smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol (wine, champagne) in social settings like a dinner party, but there is no depiction of drunkenness or substance abuse.
What mature themes appear in The Box?
The film is built on strong, disturbing themes. The central plot is a severe moral test involving willingly causing a stranger's death for financial gain. It explores concepts of greed, sacrifice, and paranoia as the characters are drawn into a vast…
How long is The Box?
The Box runs 115 minutes, directed by Richard Kelly, released in 2009.
Where can I read the full The Box parent guide?
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