The Mule (2018) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Earl Stone, a man in his eighties, is broke, alone, and facing foreclosure of his business when he is offered a job that simply requires him to drive. Easy enough, but, unbeknownst to Earl, he's just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. He does so well that his cargo increases exponentially, and Earl hit the radar of hard-charging DEA agent Colin Bates.
Rated R • 2018 • 1h 56m
The Mule is rated R largely for pervasive strong language, drug-trafficking themes, and brief but explicit sexual nudity. The film follows 80-year-old Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood), who becomes a cocaine courier for a Mexican cartel and gradually attracts DEA attention — parents should note scenes of cartel violence, a non-graphic but visible dead body, and a party/bedroom scene involving two escorts. There is frequent profanity… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Mule appropriate for kids?
The Mule is rated R largely for pervasive strong language, drug-trafficking themes, and brief but explicit sexual nudity. The film follows 80-year-old Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood), who becomes a cocaine courier for a Mexican cartel and gradually attracts DEA attention — parents… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Mule
What happens in The Mule, moment by moment
- 0:08 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
- 0:10 💬 Language 6/10
- 0:25 🍷 Substances 5/10
Sex and nudity in The Mule
Contains a party/bedroom sequence in which Earl dances with two female escorts and is led into a private room; the scene features a sexual encounter and brief non-graphic nudity (bare chests), as noted in IMDb's Parents Guide. There is also an earlier coercive exchange in which police taunt a man about rape in jail (presented as intimidation, not shown). These moments are brief and non-graphic but include adult sexual activity and nudity.
Violence and gore in The Mule
Violence is present and largely non-graphic: cartel members threaten Earl at gunpoint several times, two men are shown shot (non-graphically), and a dead runner's body is displayed, as noted on IMDb. There is a tense SWAT raid on a cartel compound and an intense scene late in the film where Earl appears badly beaten by enforcers before DEA intervenes. The film conveys real risk and physical harm but does not linger on gore.
Language in The Mule
Frequent coarse language throughout the film, including repeated use of religious profanity (references to God/Christ) and racial slurs; IMDb's guide lists specific slurs reported by viewers. The tone includes casual swearing in everyday scenes and sharper insults in criminal confrontations.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Mule
Drug smuggling is central to the plot: multiple scenes show large quantities of cocaine packed in Earl's truck and a major $12M shipment being moved; people are also shown drinking and smoking cigars. IMDb notes there is no on-screen recreational drug use (snorting/etc.), but possession and trafficking are explicit and repeatedly depicted.
Mature themes in The Mule
Major themes include aging, family estrangement and reconciliation, moral culpability, and the consequences of crime; Earl's return to his dying ex-wife Mary and the subsequent funeral are emotional pivots. The film culminates in Earl's arrest, guilty plea and imprisonment, so there is sustained discussion of guilt, regret, and legal consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Mule appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Mule is best for ages 13+. It's rated R. The Mule is rated R largely for pervasive strong language, drug-trafficking themes, and brief but explicit sexual nudity. The film follows 80-year-old Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood), who becomes a cocaine courier for a…
What age rating does The Mule have?
The Mule is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Mule about?
The Mule is rated R largely for pervasive strong language, drug-trafficking themes, and brief but explicit sexual nudity. The film follows 80-year-old Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood), who becomes a cocaine courier for a Mexican cartel and gradually attracts DEA attention — parents should note scenes of cartel violence, a…
Is there sex or nudity in The Mule?
Contains a party/bedroom sequence in which Earl dances with two female escorts and is led into a private room; the scene features a sexual encounter and brief non-graphic nudity (bare chests), as noted in IMDb's Parents Guide. There is also an earlier…
How violent is The Mule?
Violence is present and largely non-graphic: cartel members threaten Earl at gunpoint several times, two men are shown shot (non-graphically), and a dead runner's body is displayed, as noted on IMDb. There is a tense SWAT raid on a cartel compound and an…
Is the language in The Mule appropriate for kids?
Frequent coarse language throughout the film, including repeated use of religious profanity (references to God/Christ) and racial slurs; IMDb's guide lists specific slurs reported by viewers. The tone includes casual swearing in everyday scenes and sharper…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Mule?
Drug smuggling is central to the plot: multiple scenes show large quantities of cocaine packed in Earl's truck and a major $12M shipment being moved; people are also shown drinking and smoking cigars. IMDb notes there is no on-screen recreational drug use…
What mature themes appear in The Mule?
Major themes include aging, family estrangement and reconciliation, moral culpability, and the consequences of crime; Earl's return to his dying ex-wife Mary and the subsequent funeral are emotional pivots. The film culminates in Earl's arrest, guilty plea…
How long is The Mule?
The Mule runs 116 minutes, directed by Clint Eastwood, released in 2018.
Where can I read the full The Mule 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.
Parents also checked these movies for 13-year-olds
Sign up to filter
Movies like The Mule with similar intensity
Sign up to filter
Less intense movies for families
Sign up to filter
More crime movies with parent guides
- Interstellar parent guide
- The Dark Knight parent guide
- Fight Club parent guide
- The Shawshank Redemption parent guide
- Pulp Fiction parent guide
- Forrest Gump parent guide
- Django Unchained parent guide
- Joker parent guide
- Titanic parent guide
- The Wolf of Wall Street parent guide
- Shutter Island parent guide
- The Dark Knight Rises parent guide
Crime Drama movies parents are checking
More movies with Bontent parent guides
- 365 Days: This Day parent guide
- Sullivan's Travels parent guide
- To the Wonder parent guide
- Sibyl parent guide
- Boiling Point parent guide
- Killing Season parent guide
- Ophelia parent guide
- A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby parent guide
- Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil parent guide
- Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar parent guide
- Don't Worry, I'm Fine parent guide
- Scoop parent guide
- Whip It parent guide
- We Have a Pope parent guide
- The First Beautiful Thing parent guide
- Rendition parent guide