The Shallows (2016) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
While surfing on a secluded beach, Nancy finds herself in the feeding grounds of a great white shark. Though stranded only 200 yards from shore, survival proves to be the ultimate test of wills, requiring all of her ingenuity, resourcefulness, and fortitude.
Rated PG-13 • 2016 • 1h 26m
Rated PG-13 for its intense and persistent peril, 'The Shallows' is a survival thriller that earns its rating primarily through strong, bloody violence. The film follows a surfer named Nancy who is attacked by a great white shark and stranded on a small rock off a secluded beach. Parents should be aware of several brutal shark attacks, including one that is semi-gory, and a particularly graphic scene where Nancy performs makeshift… Sign up for the full guide
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Is The Shallows appropriate for kids?
Rated PG-13 for its intense and persistent peril, 'The Shallows' is a survival thriller that earns its rating primarily through strong, bloody violence. The film follows a surfer named Nancy who is attacked by a great white shark and stranded on a small rock off a secluded… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Shallows
What happens in The Shallows, moment by moment
- 0:07 ♥ Sex & Nudity 1/10
- 0:15 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:20 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
Sex and nudity in The Shallows
Very light. The protagonist wears a bikini for the entire film, and there are some camera shots focusing on her body while she is surfing or stranded on the rock. There is no nudity or sexual content.
Violence and gore in The Shallows
Strong and often bloody for its PG-13 rating. The film revolves around a prolonged and brutal shark attack. A character's leg is severely bitten, and there is a prolonged, graphic scene of her attempting to stitch the deep, bleeding wound. Several other people are killed by the shark; one man is bitten in half (the act is off-screen but his severed torso is seen), and two others are quickly attacked. The climax features a violent and bloody death for the shark.
Language in The Shallows
Light, but it contains brief strong profanity. The F-word is used once in a moment of extreme duress, alongside a few uses of "shit" and other milder expletives.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Shallows
Mild. It is briefly mentioned that the protagonist's friend is absent due to recovering from a night of heavy partying. Later, a local man on the beach who attempts to steal items is clearly drunk before he wades into the water and is attacked.
Mature themes in The Shallows
The film contains moderate themes of grief and loss, as the protagonist is dealing with the recent death of her mother from cancer, which is a key part of her backstory and motivation. The central theme is survival against overwhelming odds, featuring intense and sustained peril and psychological distress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Shallows appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Shallows is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Rated PG-13 for its intense and persistent peril, 'The Shallows' is a survival thriller that earns its rating primarily through strong, bloody violence. The film follows a surfer named Nancy who is attacked by a great…
What age rating does The Shallows have?
The Shallows is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Shallows about?
Rated PG-13 for its intense and persistent peril, 'The Shallows' is a survival thriller that earns its rating primarily through strong, bloody violence. The film follows a surfer named Nancy who is attacked by a great white shark and stranded on a small rock off a secluded beach. Parents should be aware of several…
Is there sex or nudity in The Shallows?
Very light. The protagonist wears a bikini for the entire film, and there are some camera shots focusing on her body while she is surfing or stranded on the rock. There is no nudity or sexual content.
How violent is The Shallows?
Strong and often bloody for its PG-13 rating. The film revolves around a prolonged and brutal shark attack. A character's leg is severely bitten, and there is a prolonged, graphic scene of her attempting to stitch the deep, bleeding wound. Several other…
Is the language in The Shallows appropriate for kids?
Light, but it contains brief strong profanity. The F-word is used once in a moment of extreme duress, alongside a few uses of "shit" and other milder expletives.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Shallows?
Mild. It is briefly mentioned that the protagonist's friend is absent due to recovering from a night of heavy partying. Later, a local man on the beach who attempts to steal items is clearly drunk before he wades into the water and is attacked.
What mature themes appear in The Shallows?
The film contains moderate themes of grief and loss, as the protagonist is dealing with the recent death of her mother from cancer, which is a key part of her backstory and motivation. The central theme is survival against overwhelming odds, featuring intense…
How long is The Shallows?
The Shallows runs 86 minutes, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, released in 2016.
Where can I read the full The Shallows 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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