The Vast of Night (2019) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
At the dawn of the space-race, two radio-obsessed teens discover a strange frequency over the airwaves in what becomes the most important night of their lives and in the history of their small town.
Rated PG-13 • 2019 • 1h 31m
The Vast of Night earns its PG-13 rating for a single use of strong language and its pervasive, suspenseful tone. Set in the 1950s, the dialogue-heavy film builds tension through unsettling stories of UFO cover-ups and alien abductions, as switchboard operator Fay and radio DJ Everett investigate a strange frequency over their small town of Cayuga. While there is no violence or sexual content, characters smoke cigarettes, and the… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Vast of Night appropriate for kids?
The Vast of Night earns its PG-13 rating for a single use of strong language and its pervasive, suspenseful tone. Set in the 1950s, the dialogue-heavy film builds tension through unsettling stories of UFO cover-ups and alien abductions, as switchboard operator Fay and radio DJ… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Vast of Night
What happens in The Vast of Night, moment by moment
- 0:09 ♥ Sex & Nudity 1/10
- 0:15 🍷 Substances 2/10
- 0:21 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
Sex and nudity in The Vast of Night
This category is nearly absent. There are a few brief moments of mild, playful banter between the teenage leads, Fay and Everett, that could be interpreted as light flirting. There are no romantic or sexual situations.
Violence and gore in The Vast of Night
Violence is almost entirely absent, with no on-screen fights, weapons, or gore. A scene involves a car nearly crashing after the driver becomes entranced. In the finale, characters are caught in a powerful whirlwind generated by a spacecraft, creating a moment of intense peril. They also discover a small area of charred trees.
Language in The Vast of Night
The film's PG-13 rating is for 'brief strong language.' There is one quiet use of the F-word in a moment of panic. Other language includes one use of 'Goddamn,' 'ass,' and occasional uses of 'damn' and 'hell'.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Vast of Night
The two main characters, Everett and Fay, are occasionally shown smoking cigarettes, which is period-accurate for the 1950s setting. A few other background characters also smoke.
Mature themes in The Vast of Night
The film explores mature and unsettling themes. Central topics include paranoia, conspiracy theories, and government cover-ups related to UFO phenomena. One character's testimony details racist practices by the military. Another character recounts the deep grief and loss associated with her son's supposed alien abduction. The film ends on an ominous note with the implied abduction of the main characters, including a baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Vast of Night appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Vast of Night is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The Vast of Night earns its PG-13 rating for a single use of strong language and its pervasive, suspenseful tone. Set in the 1950s, the dialogue-heavy film builds tension through unsettling stories of UFO cover-ups and…
What age rating does The Vast of Night have?
The Vast of Night is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Vast of Night about?
The Vast of Night earns its PG-13 rating for a single use of strong language and its pervasive, suspenseful tone. Set in the 1950s, the dialogue-heavy film builds tension through unsettling stories of UFO cover-ups and alien abductions, as switchboard operator Fay and radio DJ Everett investigate a strange frequency…
Is there sex or nudity in The Vast of Night?
This category is nearly absent. There are a few brief moments of mild, playful banter between the teenage leads, Fay and Everett, that could be interpreted as light flirting. There are no romantic or sexual situations.
How violent is The Vast of Night?
Violence is almost entirely absent, with no on-screen fights, weapons, or gore. A scene involves a car nearly crashing after the driver becomes entranced. In the finale, characters are caught in a powerful whirlwind generated by a spacecraft, creating a…
Is the language in The Vast of Night appropriate for kids?
The film's PG-13 rating is for 'brief strong language.' There is one quiet use of the F-word in a moment of panic. Other language includes one use of 'Goddamn,' 'ass,' and occasional uses of 'damn' and 'hell'.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Vast of Night?
The two main characters, Everett and Fay, are occasionally shown smoking cigarettes, which is period-accurate for the 1950s setting. A few other background characters also smoke.
What mature themes appear in The Vast of Night?
The film explores mature and unsettling themes. Central topics include paranoia, conspiracy theories, and government cover-ups related to UFO phenomena. One character's testimony details racist practices by the military. Another character recounts the deep…
How long is The Vast of Night?
The Vast of Night runs 91 minutes, directed by Andrew Patterson, released in 2019.
Where can I read the full The Vast of Night parent guide?
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