The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of French fashion bible Elle magazine, has a devastating stroke at age 43. The damage to his brain stem results in locked-in syndrome, with which he is almost completely paralyzed and only able to communicate by blinking an eye. Bauby painstakingly dictates his memoir via the only means of expression left to him.
Rated PG-13 • 2007 • 1h 52m
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly follows Jean-Dominique Bauby (Jean-Do) after a catastrophic stroke leaves him with locked-in syndrome; much of the film is seen from his first-person perspective in a hospital in Berck-sur-Mer. The PG-13 rating reflects brief but noticeable nudity and sexual situations (hospital bathing, a photo shoot and post-sex shots), some coarse language, and a handful of disturbing medical/visual images. Parents… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly appropriate for kids?
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly follows Jean-Dominique Bauby (Jean-Do) after a catastrophic stroke leaves him with locked-in syndrome; much of the film is seen from his first-person perspective in a hospital in Berck-sur-Mer. The PG-13 rating reflects brief but noticeable… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
What happens in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, moment by moment
- 0:03 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:06 🍷 Substances 2/10
- 0:12 💬 Language 3/10
Sex and nudity in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Moderate — the film includes brief, non-graphic nudity and sexual situations. IMDb Parents Guide notes a hospital bathing scene in which a paralyzed man's genitals are visible, a post-coital bed shot showing part of a man's buttocks and a woman's breasts, and a brief topless photo-shoot image. These shots are short but explicit enough that they contributed to the PG-13 rating.
Violence and gore in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Moderate — there is little conventional violence, but one unsettling medical/trauma image is shown in close-up. IMDb Parents Guide records a sequence where an eyelid is sewn shut (presented in first-person/POV) and the finished eye with stitches is shown; it's disturbing but not graphic in the gore sense.
Language in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Mild — occasional coarse language appears (user reports on IMDb cite words such as "shit" and crude slang). Swearing is sparse and not constant; there are no sustained tirades or repeated hard f-words.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Mild — casual drinking and smokers appear in flashbacks and social scenes. Alcohol and cigarettes are shown matter-of-factly in Jean-Do's pre-stroke life and in a few scenes with friends or at gatherings.
Mature themes in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Strong — the film centers on paralysis, loss of autonomy, grief, depression, and mortality. It juxtaposes Bauby's internal life and fantasies with memories of infidelity, a friend who suffered long confinement, a frail elderly father, and ultimately Bauby's own death; the emotional impact is sustained and potent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly follows Jean-Dominique Bauby (Jean-Do) after a catastrophic stroke leaves him with locked-in syndrome; much of the film is seen from his first-person perspective in a hospital in…
What age rating does The Diving Bell and the Butterfly have?
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly about?
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly follows Jean-Dominique Bauby (Jean-Do) after a catastrophic stroke leaves him with locked-in syndrome; much of the film is seen from his first-person perspective in a hospital in Berck-sur-Mer. The PG-13 rating reflects brief but noticeable nudity and sexual situations (hospital…
Is there sex or nudity in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?
Moderate — the film includes brief, non-graphic nudity and sexual situations. IMDb Parents Guide notes a hospital bathing scene in which a paralyzed man's genitals are visible, a post-coital bed shot showing part of a man's buttocks and a woman's breasts, and…
How violent is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?
Moderate — there is little conventional violence, but one unsettling medical/trauma image is shown in close-up. IMDb Parents Guide records a sequence where an eyelid is sewn shut (presented in first-person/POV) and the finished eye with stitches is shown…
Is the language in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly appropriate for kids?
Mild — occasional coarse language appears (user reports on IMDb cite words such as "shit" and crude slang). Swearing is sparse and not constant; there are no sustained tirades or repeated hard f-words.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?
Mild — casual drinking and smokers appear in flashbacks and social scenes. Alcohol and cigarettes are shown matter-of-factly in Jean-Do's pre-stroke life and in a few scenes with friends or at gatherings.
What mature themes appear in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?
Strong — the film centers on paralysis, loss of autonomy, grief, depression, and mortality. It juxtaposes Bauby's internal life and fantasies with memories of infidelity, a friend who suffered long confinement, a frail elderly father, and ultimately Bauby's…
How long is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly runs 112 minutes, directed by Julian Schnabel, released in 2007.
Where can I read the full The Diving Bell and the Butterfly parent guide?
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