Information for Parents

Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty

Common Sense Media Age 17

Parents Need To Know

Positive Messages
The movie's messages are complicated (all the better to inspire in-depth discussions among grown-ups and older teens). At particular issue is some of the violence -- i.e. the use of torture. The movie approaches these difficult topics thoughtfully, allowing viewers to interpret them for themselves.
Positive Role Models & Representations
Violence
Several scenes of torture and severe interrogation techniques, including "waterboarding" and humiliation (a man's pants are stripped off). Also one or two intense battle sequences with guns, shooting, dead bodies, and blood. Bombs are set off, with injuries and casualties. Frequent tension/peril. The main female character is involved in -- and sometimes the victim of -- several violent situations.
Sex
Some male prisoners are stripped of their clothes, but nothing more than naked behinds are shown. One brief scene takes place in a nightclub with sexy dancing girls (not naked). A good deal of spoken sexual innuendo throughout.
Language
Very strong and quite frequent. Words include "f--k" and "motherf---er," "s--t," "a--hole," "ass," "bitch," "damn," "hell," and "d--k," plus "goddamn" and "oh my God."
Consumerism
Coke and Budweiser brands are shown and/or mentioned.
Education Value
Ease of Play
Privacy
Characters both major and minor are often shown smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol (beer, wine, etc.) in a background way.
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