Is 'Black Adam' Safe for Your Kids? Everything Parents Need to Know About the Movie

Black Adam parents guide PG-13 Movie violence superhero movies Dwayne Johnson Anti-Hero Movies

By Jo Anne Hubert , Parent Herald Oct 23, 07:01 am

Photo: (Photo : Getty Images/Chris Delmas)

The major superhero film is now in theaters, and millions of people, for sure, will be falling in line to watch it, including the kids.

But is "Black Adam" safe for children to watch?

A movie from New Line Cinema released Friday, "Black Adam," stars Dwayne Johnson in an action-packed adventure that explores the story of a DC Superhero, or in fact, "anti-hero," under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra.

Said to be the first of a trilogy, the movie introduced the character of Johnson as Teth Adam, who was given the "almighty powers of the gods," which he used for vengeance and brought him into prison. After 5,000 years, Adam "has gone from man, to myth, to legend," and is now bringing a unique form of justice, born out of fury, into the world after his release from prison. The movie revolves around the challenges presented when modern-day heroes of the Justice League seem to go against him.

What can parents expect?

The movie is rated PG-13 and is said to be "technically positioned as a spin-off" of the family-friendly film "Shazam!"

However, a parent can still help but wonder if the movie is suitable for kids when, as Johnson declared, unlike any other superheroes, Black Adam does kill, telling the public that there will be expected violence in the film.

Here is a list of what parents can expect when they decide to watch the movie with their kids:

1. Void of sex or sexual dialogues

There will be little jokes here and there, but there are no revealing costumes or any act of real romance, just a hint that two characters are interested in each other. Other than that, there is not much to speak of in the category of sex.

2. Profane Language

On the other hand, there is so much to speak of when it comes to the offensive words used in the movie. It is, in fact, on the "heavier spectrum of language" compared to a typical superhero film.

There is profanity all-throughout the movie, and used in multiple forms. Rest assured, the F-word wasn't used. However, 20 or more curse words were uttered within the 2 hours run time. Thus, the language is PG-13 level.

3. Serious mature content of violence

"This is where "Black Adam" pushes the envelope. This is one of the more violent PG-13 superhero films I've seen. I wouldn't say I was disturbed by the violence, but I was surprised. Bad guys are brutally killed from about minute five until the end. Some of it is a little gory, and most kills are violent," John Clyde proclaimed in an article he wrote for KSL.com.

He further stated that the violence in the movie might be disturbing for kids, teens, and parents. He rated the level of violence as R, explaining that the body count was high and the nature of killing was "very violent and graphic."

It's the message, more than the violence

But it isn't just about the violence, James Grebey of Fatherly expressed.

Grebey was brutally honest in informing viewers that "Black Adam" is not a movie worth watching, and this is for both adults and kids, basically because it gives the message that "violence is good."

He stated that the inherent violence in superheroes is a constant, persisting issue at the core of the movie genre. People are told that superheroes are great, but almost all the time, the takeaway is that punches, or violence, will always solve the problem.

Other comic book movies will always have a scene where the superhero kills, intentionally or accidentally. However, Black Adam is the rare example that transforms this subtext into text and persuades the viewers that, actually, the superheroes that do not kill are the wrong kind of superheroes. Only Black Adam's special way of deadly violence can save the day and the world.

Moreover, Grebey emphasized that the problem gets bigger because Black Adam can't help himself from creating this image of a hero to be admired. Someone without fault and flaws. The film, he concluded, clearly endorses and condones this violent and conceited character and the actions he chooses to take.