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Story

Mary Shelley is a biopic of the romance between Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Elle Fanning), the author of Frankenstein, and the poet Percy Shelley (Douglas Booth).

When 16-year old Mary falls in love with Percy Shelley and elopes in secret with her half-sister Claire (Bel Powley) in tow, her family is dismayed and she is forced to live in scandal. Following a series of trials, including the death of Mary’s newborn baby, Mary, Percy and Claire spend a summer with fellow poet Lord Byron (Tom Sturridge) in Geneva. There, Byron challenges them to write a ghost story, which inspires Mary to conceive her famed novel.

Themes

Sexism; loss of family; alcohol abuse; polyamorous behaviours/attitudes

Violence

Mary Shelley has some violence. For example:

  • Mary punches a male character after he tries to kiss her by force.
  • Percy lunges at a male character, who slaps him hard.

Sexual references

Mary Shelley has some sexual references. For example:

  • Pornographic illustrations are briefly visible.
  • Characters often talk about sexual activity.
  • Two young female characters become pregnant.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Mary Shelley shows some use of substances. For example:

  • Characters smoke pipes many times.
  • Characters drink alcohol many times. This includes characters who are underage, at 16 years old.
  • Characters behave drunkenly many times.
  • Two male characters smoke shishas.

Nudity and sexual activity

Mary Shelley has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:

  • Mary and Percy kiss passionately several times.
  • Mary and Percy have sex several times. No nudity is shown, and the scenes are generally brief.
  • Lord Byron kisses Percy Shelley on the mouth.

Product placement

Nothing of concern

Coarse language

Mary Shelley has some coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Mary Shelley is a relatively conventional historical romance, which is perhaps surprising for a biopic about this unconventional author.

Although its dialogue and story is clunky at times, the movie is likely to be enjoyed by adults and older teenagers. Younger viewers, however, might find it frightening, uninteresting and sexually explicit. Therefore Mary Shelley isn’t recommended for children under 13 years, and we also recommend parental guidance for younger teenagers.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:

  • standing up for others
  • striving to accomplish goals despite obstacles.

Mary Shelley could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like:

  • attitudes towards women
  • the consequences of running away from home
  • safe sex practices (particularly related to pregnancy)
  • substance use and dependence.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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