Welcome to Marwen (2018) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp and wipes away all memories, no one expected recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town named Marwen where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation — a testament to the most powerful women he knows — through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one.
Rated PG-13 • 2018 • 1h 56m
This film's PG-13 rating is due to mature thematic material, fantasy violence, and some language. "Welcome to Marwen" tells the true story of Mark Hogancamp, who copes with severe PTSD from a brutal hate crime by creating a fantasy world with dolls. Parents should be aware of frequent, stylized World War II-style violence where dolls are shot, blown up, and incinerated. The film's core themes are intense, dealing directly with the… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Welcome to Marwen appropriate for kids?
This film's PG-13 rating is due to mature thematic material, fantasy violence, and some language. "Welcome to Marwen" tells the true story of Mark Hogancamp, who copes with severe PTSD from a brutal hate crime by creating a fantasy world with dolls. Parents should be aware of… Read more — free account
Content severity in Welcome to Marwen
What happens in Welcome to Marwen, moment by moment
- 0:03 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
- 0:10 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
- 0:16 🍷 Substances 4/10
Sex and nudity in Welcome to Marwen
This category is very mild. In one scene, a female doll is shown topless, but with no nipples or realistic detail. In another, some of Mark's drawings depict a woman who is nude from the waist up. There is no sexual activity or strong innuendo.
Violence and gore in Welcome to Marwen
Violence is frequent but highly stylized, occurring within the animated doll world. These scenes mimic WWII combat, with dolls riddling each other with machine-gun fire, body parts being blown off, and characters being incinerated. These scenes are not graphically bloody but can be jarring. The real-world inciting incident—a brutal hate crime beating—is referenced throughout and depicted briefly without graphic detail, though the emotional impact is strong.
Language in Welcome to Marwen
Language is moderate. The screenplay includes several uses of "s***" and "hell." The slur "queer" is used derogatorily by antagonists in the context of the hate crime. In one scene, a character uses the military phonetic alphabet to spell out "F-U-C-K" as a call sign.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Welcome to Marwen
Substance use is a significant part of the story. The protagonist, Mark, is addicted to prescription painkillers, and his struggle with and eventual rejection of them is a major plot point. He is also frequently shown chain-smoking cigarettes, and characters drink alcohol in social settings.
Mature themes in Welcome to Marwen
The film's central and most intense content involves its mature themes. It is a raw depiction of recovering from severe trauma, PTSD, and memory loss resulting from a violent hate crime. The bigotry that motivated the attack (Mark's cross-dressing) is a key element. The film also tackles prescription drug addiction and includes a scene where the protagonist, in a moment of despair, contemplates suicide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Welcome to Marwen appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Welcome to Marwen is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. This film's PG-13 rating is due to mature thematic material, fantasy violence, and some language. "Welcome to Marwen" tells the true story of Mark Hogancamp, who copes with severe PTSD from a brutal hate crime by…
What age rating does Welcome to Marwen have?
Welcome to Marwen is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Welcome to Marwen about?
This film's PG-13 rating is due to mature thematic material, fantasy violence, and some language. "Welcome to Marwen" tells the true story of Mark Hogancamp, who copes with severe PTSD from a brutal hate crime by creating a fantasy world with dolls. Parents should be aware of frequent, stylized World War II-style…
Is there sex or nudity in Welcome to Marwen?
This category is very mild. In one scene, a female doll is shown topless, but with no nipples or realistic detail. In another, some of Mark's drawings depict a woman who is nude from the waist up. There is no sexual activity or strong innuendo.
How violent is Welcome to Marwen?
Violence is frequent but highly stylized, occurring within the animated doll world. These scenes mimic WWII combat, with dolls riddling each other with machine-gun fire, body parts being blown off, and characters being incinerated. These scenes are not…
Is the language in Welcome to Marwen appropriate for kids?
Language is moderate. The screenplay includes several uses of "s***" and "hell." The slur "queer" is used derogatorily by antagonists in the context of the hate crime. In one scene, a character uses the military phonetic alphabet to spell out "F-U-C-K" as a…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Welcome to Marwen?
Substance use is a significant part of the story. The protagonist, Mark, is addicted to prescription painkillers, and his struggle with and eventual rejection of them is a major plot point. He is also frequently shown chain-smoking cigarettes, and characters…
What mature themes appear in Welcome to Marwen?
The film's central and most intense content involves its mature themes. It is a raw depiction of recovering from severe trauma, PTSD, and memory loss resulting from a violent hate crime. The bigotry that motivated the attack (Mark's cross-dressing) is a key…
How long is Welcome to Marwen?
Welcome to Marwen runs 116 minutes, directed by Robert Zemeckis, released in 2018.
Where can I read the full Welcome to Marwen parent guide?
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