The Help (2011) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Aibileen Clark is a middle-aged African-American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny Jackson is an African-American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family's struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan is a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared. These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi… Sign up for the full guide
Rated PG-13 • 2011 • 2h 26m
Set in 1960s Mississippi, The Help explores the lives of Black maids and a white aspiring writer who risks her social standing to document their experiences with systemic racism. The film received a PG-13 rating primarily for its intense depiction of racial prejudice, including the use of derogatory slurs, and mature themes surrounding domestic abuse and death. Parents should be aware of scenes involving physical violence, verbal… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Help appropriate for kids?
Set in 1960s Mississippi, The Help explores the lives of Black maids and a white aspiring writer who risks her social standing to document their experiences with systemic racism. The film received a PG-13 rating primarily for its intense depiction of racial prejudice, including… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Help
What happens in The Help, moment by moment
- 0:12 🍷 Substances 3/10
- 0:25 ♥ Sex & Nudity 3/10
- 0:38 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
Sex and nudity in The Help
There is no explicit content. Some minor innuendo occurs, such as a character's exaggerated cleavage drawing attention in social scenes and brief, non-graphic romantic kissing.
Violence and gore in The Help
Violence is moderate and centers on the era's harsh reality. This includes a scene where a woman is shown with a bruised face from domestic abuse, a violent arrest, and a character being spanked.
Language in The Help
Language is moderate and includes frequent racial slurs, including multiple uses of the N-word, alongside occasional profanity like 'shit', 'asshole', and 'goddamn'.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Help
Substance use is frequent but typical of the time period, featuring pervasive smoking by almost every character and consistent social drinking of mixed drinks and martinis.
Mature themes in The Help
The film deals with heavy historical themes, including systemic segregation, domestic and emotional abuse, the death of a son due to employer negligence, and the trauma of miscarriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Help appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Help is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Set in 1960s Mississippi, The Help explores the lives of Black maids and a white aspiring writer who risks her social standing to document their experiences with systemic racism. The film received a PG-13 rating…
What age rating does The Help have?
The Help is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Help about?
Set in 1960s Mississippi, The Help explores the lives of Black maids and a white aspiring writer who risks her social standing to document their experiences with systemic racism. The film received a PG-13 rating primarily for its intense depiction of racial prejudice, including the use of derogatory slurs, and mature…
Is there sex or nudity in The Help?
There is no explicit content. Some minor innuendo occurs, such as a character's exaggerated cleavage drawing attention in social scenes and brief, non-graphic romantic kissing.
How violent is The Help?
Violence is moderate and centers on the era's harsh reality. This includes a scene where a woman is shown with a bruised face from domestic abuse, a violent arrest, and a character being spanked.
Is the language in The Help appropriate for kids?
Language is moderate and includes frequent racial slurs, including multiple uses of the N-word, alongside occasional profanity like 'shit', 'asshole', and 'goddamn'.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Help?
Substance use is frequent but typical of the time period, featuring pervasive smoking by almost every character and consistent social drinking of mixed drinks and martinis.
What mature themes appear in The Help?
The film deals with heavy historical themes, including systemic segregation, domestic and emotional abuse, the death of a son due to employer negligence, and the trauma of miscarriage.
How long is The Help?
The Help runs 146 minutes, directed by Tate Taylor, released in 2011.
Where can I read the full The Help 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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