The Wrestler (2008) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper, and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.
Rated R • 2008 • 1h 49m
An aging professional wrestler struggles with his broken body, failing relationships, and whether he can return to the ring. Mickey Rourke in the performance of his career. The R rating covers graphic violence, sexual content, strong language, and drug use.
Cast
Is The Wrestler appropriate for kids?
An aging professional wrestler struggles with his broken body, failing relationships, and whether he can return to the ring. Mickey Rourke in the performance of his career. The R rating covers graphic violence, sexual content, strong language, and drug use. Read more — free account
Content severity in The Wrestler
What happens in The Wrestler, moment by moment
- 0:08 💬 Language 5/10
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:12 ⚔ Violence & Gore 8/10
Sex and nudity in The Wrestler
A strip club relationship — the stripper's work depicted honestly. Non-explicit but frank.
Violence and gore in The Wrestler
Professional wrestling violence — staple guns to flesh, barbed wire, ladders. Randy's body at the film's opening — bruised, taped, broken. Graphic but purposeful.
Language in The Wrestler
The film contains constant and pervasive strong profanity throughout, consistent with its gritty R-rated tone. There are over 100 uses of the f-word and its derivatives, along with various other vulgarities including the c-word and s-word. The dialogue reflects the harsh, unfiltered environments of the wrestling circuit and the protagonist's personal life.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Wrestler
Steroid and painkiller use — depicted as a wrestler's survival mechanism and as self-destruction.
Mature themes in The Wrestler
A man whose identity is entirely his body and his craft — and what happens when both fail. The film is about the dignity and indignity of a certain kind of American failure. The ending is deliberately ambiguous — the greatest leap of his career may also be his last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Wrestler appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Wrestler is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. An aging professional wrestler struggles with his broken body, failing relationships, and whether he can return to the ring. Mickey Rourke in the performance of his career. The R rating covers graphic violence, sexual…
What age rating does The Wrestler have?
The Wrestler is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.
What is The Wrestler about?
An aging professional wrestler struggles with his broken body, failing relationships, and whether he can return to the ring. Mickey Rourke in the performance of his career. The R rating covers graphic violence, sexual content, strong language, and drug use.
Is there sex or nudity in The Wrestler?
A strip club relationship — the stripper's work depicted honestly. Non-explicit but frank.
How violent is The Wrestler?
Professional wrestling violence — staple guns to flesh, barbed wire, ladders. Randy's body at the film's opening — bruised, taped, broken. Graphic but purposeful.
Is the language in The Wrestler appropriate for kids?
The film contains constant and pervasive strong profanity throughout, consistent with its gritty R-rated tone. There are over 100 uses of the f-word and its derivatives, along with various other vulgarities including the c-word and s-word. The dialogue…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Wrestler?
Steroid and painkiller use — depicted as a wrestler's survival mechanism and as self-destruction.
What mature themes appear in The Wrestler?
A man whose identity is entirely his body and his craft — and what happens when both fail. The film is about the dignity and indignity of a certain kind of American failure. The ending is deliberately ambiguous — the greatest leap of his career may also be…
How long is The Wrestler?
The Wrestler runs 109 minutes, directed by Darren Aronofsky, released in 2008.
Where can I read the full The Wrestler 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.
Less intense movies for families
Sign up to filter
More drama movies with parent guides
- Interstellar parent guide
- Fight Club parent guide
- The Shawshank Redemption 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
- Inglourious Basterds parent guide
- Inside Out parent guide
Contemporary Fiction movies parents are checking
More movies with Bontent parent guides
- Sullivan's Travels parent guide
- To the Wonder parent guide
- An American Pickle parent guide
- Science Fiction Volume One: The Osiris Child parent guide
- Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King parent guide
- Ruby Red parent guide
- Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar parent guide
- Mr. Church parent guide
- Don't Worry, I'm Fine parent guide
- Friends with Money parent guide
- Day Watch parent guide
- Them parent guide
- Scoop parent guide
- The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines parent guide
- Soul Kitchen parent guide
- We Have a Pope parent guide