Story
As the story unfolds we learn that Jupiter is the genetic reincarnation of a dead alien queen who, before her death, owned the planet Earth. Unfortunately the dead alien queen left behind three tyrannical evil heirs, all of whom want to kill Jupiter so that they can own Earth. The three heirs are Balem Abrasax (Eddie Redmayne), Titus Abrasax (Douglas Booth) and Kalique Abrasax (Tuppence Middleton). For thousands of years, they have lived by harvesting the inhabitants of alien planets and turning them into an elixir to rejuvenate their ancient bodies. They intend to do this with Earth’s inhabitants too.
Jupiter is kidnapped by each of the three Abrasax siblings in turn, and each tries either to kill Jupiter or bend her to their will. Fortunately Caine rescues Jupiter each time, but in the end Jupiter must come to terms with her destiny.
Themes
Space travel and aliens; genetic experimentation; reincarnation; immortality; immigrant families
Violence
Jupiter Ascending contains science fiction action violence, with some long scenes that show many people dying and that also have a lot of blood and gore. For example:
Sexual references
Jupiter Ascending contains some low-level sexual reference and innuendo. For example:
- A woman flirts with an alien, telling him that she is notorious for falling for the wrong sort of man. He brushes her flirting aside, telling her that he has more in common with dogs. The woman says, ‘I love dogs’. In another scene the same woman says to the same man, ‘Is there any part of you that wants to bite me?’ The man replies, ‘No. Well maybe’. The woman replies, ‘Go ahead’.
- A woman looks at a muscular man with a bare chest and says, ‘He’s well made’.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
Jupiter Ascending shows some use of substances. For example:
- An alien woman is given a long glass cylinder of anti-aging serum.
- A woman in a hospital is anaesthetised against her will.
- Characters drink socially with meals.
Nudity and sexual activity
Jupiter Ascending has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- A man rubs moisturiser on his pregnant wife’s exposed stomach, then kisses her on the stomach.
- A humanoid floats in his room surrounded by several sexy women, who kiss his face and stroke his torso.
- Several scenes show women wearing sexy underwear and tight-fitting, revealing clothing.
- In one scene an older woman walks nude into a pool of clear liquid and then emerges from the water transformed into a young woman. The scene shows her naked from behind.
- In a couple of scenes a man and woman kiss.
Product placement
None of concern
Coarse language
Jupiter Ascending has some coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Jupiter Ascending is a science fiction action drama from the makers of The Matrix trilogy. The story is predictable, and the movie seems like a patchwork of numerous similar movies and books with familiar creatures and characters. Although the action scenes are fast paced and have a lot of stylised fighting, there is nothing new in this movie.
There are many scary characters, as well as violent and disturbing scenes, which justify the movie’s M rating. It’s too disturbing for young children and not recommended for children under 13 years. Some younger teenagers might need parental guidance.
The main message from this movie is that being part of a loving family is worth more than being a queen or owning a planet.
This movie could give you the chance to talk with your children about how the film objectifies women, specifically as sexual playthings.