The Virgin Suicides (2000) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A group of male friends become obsessed with five mysterious sisters who are sheltered by their strict, religious parents.
Rated R • 2000 • 1h 37m
Sofia Coppola's "The Virgin Suicides" received its R-rating primarily for its strong thematic material involving teenagers and suicide. The film's entire plot revolves around the depression and sequential suicides of the five Lisbon sisters, which is depicted in a melancholic but sometimes disturbing manner. Parents should be aware of a briefly shocking suicide scene, the discovery of several bodies, and a scene of non-explicit teen… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Virgin Suicides appropriate for kids?
Sofia Coppola's "The Virgin Suicides" received its R-rating primarily for its strong thematic material involving teenagers and suicide. The film's entire plot revolves around the depression and sequential suicides of the five Lisbon sisters, which is depicted in a melancholic… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Virgin Suicides
What happens in The Virgin Suicides, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
- 0:12 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:19 ⚔ Violence & Gore 8/10
Sex and nudity in The Virgin Suicides
There is a moderate level of sexual material, though no nudity is shown. A central plot point involves a teenage couple, Lux and Trip, having sex on a football field; the act is implied without any graphic detail. Later, after being confined to her home, Lux engages in a series of anonymous sexual encounters on her home's roof, which are observed from a distance by the neighborhood boys. There are also frequent discussions among the boys about their lust for the mysterious sisters.
Violence and gore in The Virgin Suicides
The film's violence is entirely related to self-harm and suicide, and while not graphically gory, it is disturbing. An early scene depicts the aftermath of a suicide attempt (bandaged wrists). A more shocking moment shows 13-year-old Cecilia after she has committed suicide by jumping from a window and impaling herself on a fence. The climax features the horrified discovery of the remaining sisters' bodies after a suicide pact: one is seen hanging, another with her head in a gas oven.
Language in The Virgin Suicides
Profanity is very light and infrequent, especially for an R-rated film. The dialogue includes isolated uses of words like "shit," "bitch," and "ass," but there is no strong or pervasive foul language.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Virgin Suicides
There is some period-appropriate substance use. Teen characters are shown smoking cigarettes and marijuana. At a school dance, characters drink from a punch bowl that has been spiked with alcohol. Lux is shown smoking cigarettes frequently, particularly as her sense of confinement and despair grows.
Mature themes in The Virgin Suicides
The film is centered on profoundly mature and disturbing themes, which are the primary reason for its R-rating. The plot revolves entirely around the depression and serial suicides of five teenage sisters. It explores the suffocating effects of overprotective and religious parenting, extreme social isolation, and adolescent despair. The narrative also examines themes of memory, the male gaze, obsession, and the ultimate inability to truly understand another person's private pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Virgin Suicides appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Virgin Suicides is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. Sofia Coppola's "The Virgin Suicides" received its R-rating primarily for its strong thematic material involving teenagers and suicide. The film's entire plot revolves around the depression and sequential suicides of…
What age rating does The Virgin Suicides have?
The Virgin Suicides is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.
What is The Virgin Suicides about?
Sofia Coppola's "The Virgin Suicides" received its R-rating primarily for its strong thematic material involving teenagers and suicide. The film's entire plot revolves around the depression and sequential suicides of the five Lisbon sisters, which is depicted in a melancholic but sometimes disturbing manner. Parents…
Is there sex or nudity in The Virgin Suicides?
There is a moderate level of sexual material, though no nudity is shown. A central plot point involves a teenage couple, Lux and Trip, having sex on a football field; the act is implied without any graphic detail. Later, after being confined to her home, Lux…
How violent is The Virgin Suicides?
The film's violence is entirely related to self-harm and suicide, and while not graphically gory, it is disturbing. An early scene depicts the aftermath of a suicide attempt (bandaged wrists). A more shocking moment shows 13-year-old Cecilia after she has…
Is the language in The Virgin Suicides appropriate for kids?
Profanity is very light and infrequent, especially for an R-rated film. The dialogue includes isolated uses of words like "shit," "bitch," and "ass," but there is no strong or pervasive foul language.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Virgin Suicides?
There is some period-appropriate substance use. Teen characters are shown smoking cigarettes and marijuana. At a school dance, characters drink from a punch bowl that has been spiked with alcohol. Lux is shown smoking cigarettes frequently, particularly as…
What mature themes appear in The Virgin Suicides?
The film is centered on profoundly mature and disturbing themes, which are the primary reason for its R-rating. The plot revolves entirely around the depression and serial suicides of five teenage sisters. It explores the suffocating effects of overprotective…
How long is The Virgin Suicides?
The Virgin Suicides runs 97 minutes, directed by Sofia Coppola, released in 2000.
Where can I read the full The Virgin Suicides parent guide?
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