The Boy and the Heron (2023) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
While the Second World War rages, the teenage Mahito, haunted by his mother's tragic death, is relocated from Tokyo to the serene rural home of his new stepmother Natsuko, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to the boy's mother. As he tries to adjust, this strange new world grows even stranger following the appearance of a persistent gray heron, who perplexes and bedevils Mahito, dubbing him the "long-awaited one."
Rated PG-13 • 2023 • 2h 4m
The Boy and the Heron follows Mahito, a young boy struggling with the grief of losing his mother during World War II, as he is whisked away to a mysterious, surreal world by a deceptive heron. This fantasy-drama earns its PG-13 rating primarily through intense, sometimes macabre imagery, brief but striking scenes of stylized gore, and mature themes surrounding death and abandonment. While visually beautiful, the film's complex… Sign up for the full guide
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Is The Boy and the Heron appropriate for kids?
The Boy and the Heron follows Mahito, a young boy struggling with the grief of losing his mother during World War II, as he is whisked away to a mysterious, surreal world by a deceptive heron. This fantasy-drama earns its PG-13 rating primarily through intense, sometimes macabre… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Boy and the Heron
What happens in The Boy and the Heron, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:18 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:25 💬 Language 2/10
Sex and nudity in The Boy and the Heron
None. There is no sexual content in the film.
Violence and gore in The Boy and the Heron
Moderate. The film features scenes of surprising injury detail, including a character using a rock to inflict a self-harm head injury with visible blood, and scenes where creatures are sliced open with depictions of internal anatomy. These sequences are frequent in the fantasy sequences and carry significant weight.
Language in The Boy and the Heron
Mild. There are a few scattered uses of minor profanity, including 'damn,' 'hell,' and 'turd' used in character dialogue.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Boy and the Heron
Mild. Some characters are depicted smoking throughout the film.
Mature themes in The Boy and the Heron
Strong. The film deeply explores grief, the trauma of wartime death, abandonment, and the burden of legacy. These mature concepts are presented consistently throughout, often through a lens of dark, surreal folklore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Boy and the Heron appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Boy and the Heron is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The Boy and the Heron follows Mahito, a young boy struggling with the grief of losing his mother during World War II, as he is whisked away to a mysterious, surreal world by a deceptive heron. This fantasy-drama earns…
What age rating does The Boy and the Heron have?
The Boy and the Heron is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Boy and the Heron about?
The Boy and the Heron follows Mahito, a young boy struggling with the grief of losing his mother during World War II, as he is whisked away to a mysterious, surreal world by a deceptive heron. This fantasy-drama earns its PG-13 rating primarily through intense, sometimes macabre imagery, brief but striking scenes of…
Is there sex or nudity in The Boy and the Heron?
None. There is no sexual content in the film.
How violent is The Boy and the Heron?
Moderate. The film features scenes of surprising injury detail, including a character using a rock to inflict a self-harm head injury with visible blood, and scenes where creatures are sliced open with depictions of internal anatomy. These sequences are…
Is the language in The Boy and the Heron appropriate for kids?
Mild. There are a few scattered uses of minor profanity, including 'damn,' 'hell,' and 'turd' used in character dialogue.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Boy and the Heron?
Mild. Some characters are depicted smoking throughout the film.
What mature themes appear in The Boy and the Heron?
Strong. The film deeply explores grief, the trauma of wartime death, abandonment, and the burden of legacy. These mature concepts are presented consistently throughout, often through a lens of dark, surreal folklore.
How long is The Boy and the Heron?
The Boy and the Heron runs 124 minutes, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, released in 2023.
Where can I read the full The Boy and the Heron 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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