The Guardian (2006) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A high school swim champion with a troubled past enrolls in the U.S. Coast Guard's 'A' School, where legendary rescue swimmer Ben Randall teaches him some hard lessons about loss, love, and self-sacrifice.
Rated PG-13 • 2006 • 2h 19m
Rated PG-13 for its intense and perilous action sequences, The Guardian follows veteran U.S. Coast Guard swimmer Ben Randall as he mentors a cocky young recruit, Jake Fischer. The film's rating is primarily due to frequent, realistic scenes of maritime disaster, including helicopter crashes, sinking ships, and characters drowning or being injured, which can be very intense. The guide also contains a single use of strong profanity… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Guardian appropriate for kids?
Rated PG-13 for its intense and perilous action sequences, The Guardian follows veteran U.S. Coast Guard swimmer Ben Randall as he mentors a cocky young recruit, Jake Fischer. The film's rating is primarily due to frequent, realistic scenes of maritime disaster, including… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Guardian
What happens in The Guardian, moment by moment
- 0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
- 0:10 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
Sex and nudity in The Guardian
Sexual content is very mild. A new couple is shown in bed together on two occasions, implying a sexual relationship has begun, but no nudity or sexual activity is depicted. In a bar scene, a woman is seen with some cleavage showing. Men are frequently shown shirtless during training and rescues.
Violence and gore in The Guardian
Violence and peril are moderate and frequent. Several intense rescue sequences depict people in life-threatening situations at sea, including drowning and being trapped on sinking vessels. A helicopter crash results in multiple deaths, and a flashback shows a man with a bloody face injury. There are two bar fights featuring punching and brawling, and one character is knocked unconscious.
Language in The Guardian
Language includes one use of "f--k". Other profanity is used occasionally, including multiple uses of "s--t," "ass," "damn," "hell," and exclamatory uses of "Jesus" and "God."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Guardian
Characters frequently drink alcohol, primarily beer and hard liquor, in bar settings and at home. In one scene, a character goes to a bar to cope with stress, which leads to a brawl. Another scene shows trainees drinking heavily.
Mature themes in The Guardian
The film deals heavily with mature themes of grief, trauma, and self-sacrifice. Both main characters are sole survivors of tragic accidents and grapple with intense survivor's guilt. The plot explores the psychological toll of being a first responder, divorce, and mentorship. A major character dies on-screen in an act of sacrifice, which is a key emotional climax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Guardian appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Guardian is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Rated PG-13 for its intense and perilous action sequences, The Guardian follows veteran U.S. Coast Guard swimmer Ben Randall as he mentors a cocky young recruit, Jake Fischer. The film's rating is primarily due to…
What age rating does The Guardian have?
The Guardian is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Guardian about?
Rated PG-13 for its intense and perilous action sequences, The Guardian follows veteran U.S. Coast Guard swimmer Ben Randall as he mentors a cocky young recruit, Jake Fischer. The film's rating is primarily due to frequent, realistic scenes of maritime disaster, including helicopter crashes, sinking ships, and…
Is there sex or nudity in The Guardian?
Sexual content is very mild. A new couple is shown in bed together on two occasions, implying a sexual relationship has begun, but no nudity or sexual activity is depicted. In a bar scene, a woman is seen with some cleavage showing. Men are frequently shown…
How violent is The Guardian?
Violence and peril are moderate and frequent. Several intense rescue sequences depict people in life-threatening situations at sea, including drowning and being trapped on sinking vessels. A helicopter crash results in multiple deaths, and a flashback shows a…
Is the language in The Guardian appropriate for kids?
Language includes one use of "f--k". Other profanity is used occasionally, including multiple uses of "s--t," "ass," "damn," "hell," and exclamatory uses of "Jesus" and "God."
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Guardian?
Characters frequently drink alcohol, primarily beer and hard liquor, in bar settings and at home. In one scene, a character goes to a bar to cope with stress, which leads to a brawl. Another scene shows trainees drinking heavily.
What mature themes appear in The Guardian?
The film deals heavily with mature themes of grief, trauma, and self-sacrifice. Both main characters are sole survivors of tragic accidents and grapple with intense survivor's guilt. The plot explores the psychological toll of being a first responder…
How long is The Guardian?
The Guardian runs 139 minutes, directed by Andrew Davis, released in 2006.
Where can I read the full The Guardian 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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