While You Were Sleeping (1995) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A transit worker pulls commuter Peter off railway tracks after he's mugged, but—while he's in a coma—his family mistakenly thinks she's Peter's fiancée, and she doesn't correct them. Things get more complicated when she falls for his brother, who's not quite sure that she's who she claims to be.
Rated PG • 1995 • 1h 43m
This PG-rated romantic comedy earns its rating primarily for some mild language and a brief moment of peril. The plot of "While You Were Sleeping" centers on Lucy, a lonely transit worker who is mistaken for the fiancée of a man in a coma. The film's primary content concerns involve the inciting incident where a character is mugged and falls onto train tracks, resulting in a minor bloody injury and a coma. Other content includes… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is While You Were Sleeping appropriate for kids?
This PG-rated romantic comedy earns its rating primarily for some mild language and a brief moment of peril. The plot of "While You Were Sleeping" centers on Lucy, a lonely transit worker who is mistaken for the fiancée of a man in a coma. The film's primary content concerns… Read more — free account
Content severity in While You Were Sleeping
What happens in While You Were Sleeping, moment by moment
- 0:02 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
- 0:07 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
Sex and nudity in While You Were Sleeping
Content is limited to brief innuendo and dialogue. A running joke references a character having only one testicle. In one scene, a character bluntly states, "You have to have sex to get pregnant" to dispel a misunderstanding. There is no nudity, and romance is limited to a few kisses.
Violence and gore in While You Were Sleeping
Violence is brief and mostly comedic, with one notable exception. Early in the film, a character, Peter, is mugged by two men and pushed onto subway tracks, where he hits his head and is knocked unconscious; a small amount of blood is visible on his forehead. This scene is pivotal but not graphic. Other instances involve characters slipping and falling on ice or fainting, all played for gentle humor.
Language in While You Were Sleeping
Profanity is infrequent and mild. The film contains one use of "shit," as well as a handful of other words like "hell," "damn," "ass," and "bastard." The lord's name is also used as an exclamation (e.g., "for Christ's sake").
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in While You Were Sleeping
Substance use is minimal and depicted in social contexts. Characters are shown drinking wine at a family Christmas dinner and consuming champagne and other alcoholic beverages at a New Year's Eve party. One character briefly smokes a cigar.
Mature themes in While You Were Sleeping
Thematic content is moderate. The film's central theme is a character's profound loneliness, which motivates her to maintain a large-scale deception. It also deals with a main character being in a coma, the stress of a medical emergency on a family, grief over deceased parents, and the emotional turmoil of lying to loved ones.
Scary moments in While You Were Sleeping
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for While You Were Sleeping yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is While You Were Sleeping appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests While You Were Sleeping is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. This PG-rated romantic comedy earns its rating primarily for some mild language and a brief moment of peril. The plot of "While You Were Sleeping" centers on Lucy, a lonely transit worker who is mistaken for the fiancée…
What age rating does While You Were Sleeping have?
While You Were Sleeping is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is While You Were Sleeping about?
This PG-rated romantic comedy earns its rating primarily for some mild language and a brief moment of peril. The plot of "While You Were Sleeping" centers on Lucy, a lonely transit worker who is mistaken for the fiancée of a man in a coma. The film's primary content concerns involve the inciting incident where a…
Is there sex or nudity in While You Were Sleeping?
Content is limited to brief innuendo and dialogue. A running joke references a character having only one testicle. In one scene, a character bluntly states, "You have to have sex to get pregnant" to dispel a misunderstanding. There is no nudity, and romance…
How violent is While You Were Sleeping?
Violence is brief and mostly comedic, with one notable exception. Early in the film, a character, Peter, is mugged by two men and pushed onto subway tracks, where he hits his head and is knocked unconscious; a small amount of blood is visible on his forehead…
Is the language in While You Were Sleeping appropriate for kids?
Profanity is infrequent and mild. The film contains one use of "shit," as well as a handful of other words like "hell," "damn," "ass," and "bastard." The lord's name is also used as an exclamation (e.g., "for Christ's sake").
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in While You Were Sleeping?
Substance use is minimal and depicted in social contexts. Characters are shown drinking wine at a family Christmas dinner and consuming champagne and other alcoholic beverages at a New Year's Eve party. One character briefly smokes a cigar.
What mature themes appear in While You Were Sleeping?
Thematic content is moderate. The film's central theme is a character's profound loneliness, which motivates her to maintain a large-scale deception. It also deals with a main character being in a coma, the stress of a medical emergency on a family, grief…
How long is While You Were Sleeping?
While You Were Sleeping runs 103 minutes, directed by Jon Turteltaub, released in 1995.
Where can I read the full While You Were Sleeping parent guide?
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