Content that may disturb children

Under 5

In addition to the violent scenes mentioned above, this movie has some scenes that could scare or disturb children under five years. For example:

• Sam stands on top of a hill with a violent lightning storm raging around him. Lightning arcs down from the sky and strikes Sam. The force of the lightning strike lifts Sam out of his shoes (his shoes are on fire) and throws him violently backwards. When Sam stands up, he doesn’t seem hurt but is completely black with soot.
• During a flash flood in a scout camp, a large wooden pole falls onto a tent with a man inside. Fireworks explode inside the tent. With smoke pouring out of the tent, Scout Master Ward rescues the man, carrying him out on his back just as the front of the tent explodes in a fireball.
• There is an image of a small dead dog with an arrow sticking out of a bloody wound in its neck. Sam pulls the arrow out of the dog’s neck with a squelching sound. Later the boy accused of killing the dog doesn’t show any remorse.
• Sam and Suzy hold hands while standing at the top of a church steeple during a hurricane. They pledge to jump together and risk dying rather than being separated. Captain Sharp climbs the steeple to try to talk them down. Lightning strikes the steeple, which explodes. Captain Sharp dangles from a rope tied to the top of the church, and Sam and Suzy dangle from the rope below him. He pleads with Sam and Suzy not to let go. 

From 5-8

Children in this age group might also be disturbed by the scenes mentioned above. There is also a scene where a group of scouts talk about Sam, saying that he is emotionally disturbed because his family died. Later there’s a discussion about how Social Services are going to place Sam in either a prison-like orphanage or a mental institution. There’s talk of giving Sam electric shock therapy or cutting out a piece of his brain. 

From 8-13

Children in this age group might also be disturbed by some of the scenes mentioned above. 

Over 13

Children in this age group might also be disturbed by some of the scenes mentioned above. 

Sexual references

Moonrise Kingdom contains some low-level sexual references and suggestions. For example:

• Suzy’s mother has a secret meeting with Captain Sharp, telling him that they will have to stop seeing each other for the time being. Later Suzy’s mother says sorry to Suzy’s father for her affair with Captain Sharp without actually admitting to the affair. Suzy tells her mother that she knows about the affair.
• Several scouts talk about whether Sam got to ‘second base’ with Suzy. One boy asks, ‘Over shirt or under shirt?’ 

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

This movie shows some use of substances. For example:

• The main characters are constantly smoking cigarettes.
• Sam smokes a pipe several times.
• Several times Scout Master Ward has a large glass containing brandy next to him.
• Captain Sharp pours a small beer for Sam. 

Nudity and sexual activity

There is some nudity and sexual activity in this movie. For example:

• Suzy and Sam dance together wearing underwear. Suzy asks Sam if he knows how to ‘french kiss’. She explains this is when your tongues touch when you kiss. They try to do it.
• Suzy tells Sam that he can touch her breasts. He puts his hands on her breasts and squeezes them.
• After Sam and Suzy (who are in their underwear) hug and passionately kiss each other, Sam says, ‘It feels hard. Do you mind?’ Suzy replies ‘No, I like it’. After Sam touches Suzy’s breasts, she says, ‘I think they’re going to grow more’.
• Suzy sits in a bathtub with her knees pulled up against her chest. No nudity is shown other than the tops of her bare shoulders. We see a watercolour painting by Sam with an image of what appears to be Suzy naked in a bathtub. 

Product placement

None of concern 

Coarse language

This movie has some occasional low-level coarse language. 

Ideas to discuss with your children

Moonrise Kingdom is a comedy romance directed by Wes Anderson that targets teenagers and adults. The movie has a slightly surreal feel and some quirky characters. It might not appeal to younger teenagers and isn’t recommended for children under 13, who might be disturbed by some scenes and themes. If you have younger teenagers, you might be concerned about scenes of teenage sexuality and children drinking and smoking.

The main message from this movie is that love is a powerful emotion that makes us capable of almost anything.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include the independence, determination and endurance that Suzy and Sam show as they make decisions, track through the countryside and reach their goal. They do all this regardless of the obstacles in their way.

You might also want to talk about the way the movie romanticises Sam and Suzy’s story. Are Sam and Suzy’s actions acceptable and justified? Is their romance a normal part of growing up?