Poster for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Against all the odds, a thirteen year old boy in Malawi invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine.

Rated PG • 2019 • 1h 53m

7.9
1K+
Average rating by Bontent members
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Age
12+

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind follows William Kamkwamba, a teenager in Malawi who fights to save his village from a devastating famine through ingenuity and perseverance. The film is largely grounded in the harsh realities of poverty, drought, and agricultural struggle. Parents should be aware of scenes depicting systemic violence, intense family arguments, and the realistic suffering of starvation. It is a powerful, educational, and… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Maxwell Simba
Maxwell Simba
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Aïssa Maïga
Aïssa Maïga
Lily Banda
Lily Banda
Joseph Marcell
Joseph Marcell
Lemogang Tsipa
Lemogang Tsipa
PF
Philbert Falakeza
Noma Dumezweni
Noma Dumezweni
KM
Khalani Makunje
RA
Robert Agengo
FL
Felix Lemburgo
RO
Raymond Ofula
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Is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind appropriate for kids?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind follows William Kamkwamba, a teenager in Malawi who fights to save his village from a devastating famine through ingenuity and perseverance. The film is largely grounded in the harsh realities of poverty, drought, and agricultural struggle. Parents… Read more — free account

Content severity in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Sex Mild 2/10
Violence Strong 5/10
Language Moderate 3/10
Substances Mild 1/10
Themes Strong 6/10

What happens in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, moment by moment

  1. 0:22 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
  2. 0:35 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
  3. 0:48 💬 Language 3/10
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Sex and nudity in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Brief, non-explicit content includes a quick romantic kiss and a scene where a man appears in boxers. There is also a passing, serious mention of sexual violence during a tense discussion about safety.

Violence and gore in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Moderate, non-graphic violence includes a scene where a village chief is beaten by government-backed thugs and instances of rioting. These scenes are intense and carry weight, though they avoid excessive gore.

Language in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Mild, sparse language usage including words such as 'shit,' 'damn,' and 'hell.' The instances are infrequent and fit the desperate tone of the narrative.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Incidental. A single scene shows villagers preparing a traditional drink, but substance use is not a featured element of the film.

Mature themes in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Heavy and pervasive themes of famine, starvation, and the death of a family pet. Characters endure significant emotional trauma due to systemic poverty, political corruption, and the loss of essential livelihoods.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is best for ages 12+. It's rated PG. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind follows William Kamkwamba, a teenager in Malawi who fights to save his village from a devastating famine through ingenuity and perseverance. The film is largely grounded in the harsh…

What age rating does The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind have?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 12+.

What is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind about?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind follows William Kamkwamba, a teenager in Malawi who fights to save his village from a devastating famine through ingenuity and perseverance. The film is largely grounded in the harsh realities of poverty, drought, and agricultural struggle. Parents should be aware of scenes depicting…

Is there sex or nudity in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

Brief, non-explicit content includes a quick romantic kiss and a scene where a man appears in boxers. There is also a passing, serious mention of sexual violence during a tense discussion about safety.

How violent is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

Moderate, non-graphic violence includes a scene where a village chief is beaten by government-backed thugs and instances of rioting. These scenes are intense and carry weight, though they avoid excessive gore.

Is the language in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind appropriate for kids?

Mild, sparse language usage including words such as 'shit,' 'damn,' and 'hell.' The instances are infrequent and fit the desperate tone of the narrative.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

Incidental. A single scene shows villagers preparing a traditional drink, but substance use is not a featured element of the film.

What mature themes appear in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

Heavy and pervasive themes of famine, starvation, and the death of a family pet. Characters endure significant emotional trauma due to systemic poverty, political corruption, and the loss of essential livelihoods.

How long is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind runs 113 minutes, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, released in 2019.

Where can I read the full The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind parent guide?

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