Is The Flash movie safe for kids? Is The Flash movie OK for children? Read The Flash Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new The Flash 2023 live action film from the DC Universe and Warner Bros. Pictures, starring Ezra Miller as Barry Allen. No spoilers! #TheFlash May contain commissioned links.
The Flash Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
A winning run for DC? Or gone in a flash?
The Flash has been labeled as DC’s most anticipated release of 2023. But with a controversial casting and bad press surrounding star Ezra Miller, will worlds collide in a good way for DC comics lovers and movie goers alike?
Marvel has long held the title for super hero films, with many blockbuster films and anticipated sequel builds. But Marvel’s movie fan loyalty has waivered since Avengers: Endgame. And while the battle of DC Universe and Marvel Cinematic Universe rages on, has DC finally unseated Marvel as the live action super hero film king? Or are we looking at another Shazam! Fury of the Gods flop for the year?
In The Flash Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG-13 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new The Flash 2023 parents guide to the new DC Universe live action film. A no-spoiler parent review of 2023 The Flash film, does the audience finally embrace Ezra Miller as the good guy? Or will he forever live in the light of his real life mistakes?
The Visuals
Warner Bros. knows how to play up the DC live action films. Filled with CGI technology and IMAX/3D enhancements for the biggest possible scene this summer, The Flash rivals that of more recent DC Universe super hero films with lots of action packed sequences, landscapes and camera work. Aka, DC fans will not be disappointed.
Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, be warned that The Flash may be one of the most intense and triggering films. With multiple CGI lightning effects as a part of The Flash’s signature super powers, be prepared for multiple scenes that include bright flashes of light, strobing effects, scenes in darkness, quick moving scenes with bright colors, lights and dizzying camera effects.
By far, The Flash movie is one of the most intense photosensitive movies I’ve seen, even more so than Shazam, The Super Mario Bros. Movie or Incredibles 2.
The Story
Worlds collide in The Flash, the long awaited live action DC Universe super hero origin film directed by Andy Muschietti (“It” franchise). The Flash 2023 film stars Ezra Miller (“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore“) as Barry Allen alongside powerhouse DC veterans Michael Keaton (1989 “Batman” and “Beetlejuice“) and Ben Affleck (“Good Will Hunting” and “Armageddon“), along with Sasha Calle (“The Young and the Restless“), Michael Shannon (“Boardwalk Empire“), and Ron Livingston (“Office Space“).
It’s a Barry Allen story wrapped up in a DC multiverse. While we gain more insight into the life of The Flash and appreciate the wide range of Ezra Miller’s acting, it’s the cameos that take center stage of this Flash feature film. Fans will love the old school nostalgia (with lots of cheering moments from the audience) and unwrapping if DC can pull off a super hero multiverse that is unique and doesn’t look “too Marvel” like.
It feels flashy – in more ways than one. The plot does get a little long winded – sometimes slowing to smell the roses for a little too long. But while flashing forward, flashing back or just flashing the fans, this DC super hero film is action packed, filled with emotional moments, character flaws and audience relatability that has us rooting for the quirky guy.
The Flash PG-13 Rating Explained
Is The Flash safe for kids? Another DC super hero film rated PG-13? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option for parents of young kids.
PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-13 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is The Flash rated PG-13? In The Flash Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this live action The Flash 2023 film is rated PG-13 for “sequences of violence, partial nudity, action and some strong language.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television series like The Flash is kid friendly. Is The Flash too scary for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG-13 age rating for this DC Universe film in The Flash parents guide.
Violence/Suspense. The action and violence level of The Flash movie is about what I would expect from a DC Universe film. Pretty on par with a more recent Superman live action or Justice League film, there are multiple scenes of super hero violence involving human hand-to-hand combat, use of weapons and guns, and a couple of kill shots (mostly inferred/implied).
Gore and bloody is moderate to heavy – with multiple scenes involving bloody open wounds, blood on the face and coming from the mouth, sutures, death and 2 heavy vomiting episodes. There are multiple scenes with peril and a couple of possible quick jump scare moments in The Flash as well.
Adult Themes. The Flash didn’t “flash” (aka disclose) all of the adult content in the PG-13 rating. Death, childhood trauma, grief and loss are common themes, along with discussions about mental health. Child and animal endangerment while all CGI is a real concern in The Flash, though the scene in question is used mostly for comedic effect. Some parents and kids may consider this particular scene insensitive and offensive. Toilet humor includes one visual scene of a bed pan and one verbal reference needing to “sh!t.”
Sexual innuendo includes partial nudity including shirtless male characters, 1 scene of a male in “tight white” underwear with full frontal camera shot, multiple scenes of “partial nudity” aka full naked buttocks shown in multiple shots, along with well placed product placement covering the front of a fully nude man, female waking up in bed with only a bra and shorts on, dirty underwear on a man’s face, violence/action shot visual of a male crotch in the face of another male and other visuals focused on a male’s private area. Unfortunately, the innuendo doesn’t stop there. In full “men” movie fashion, there are multiple verbal inferences to the male private area as well, including use of the terms “scrotum,” “balls,” and swear words to describe. There’s also verbal references to the word “sex” twice, used for humor punchline.
Alcohol references are mostly mild, with short scenes of adults sipping glasses of wine, opening and holding beer bottles, and 1 liquor shot consumed. However, there is 1 possibly disturbing scene of a person acting drunk. There are 4 verbal references to “drugging” and being “drugged.” And 2 instances of referring to a moment as being “trippy.”
Language. The Flash movie has “some strong language?” How many swear words and foul language phrases are we talking about here? While not as numerous as the most recent Transformers release, The Flash holds his own with over 25 swear words including 1 “f-bomb,” 3 “d!ck,” 17 uses of “sh!t,” 1 “bull sh!t,” 1 “@sshole,” 2 “H-E-double-hockey sticks,” 2 uses of the phrase “crap shoot,” and 1 “sucks.”
Other more mild insults and bad language include “freaking,” “shut up,” “screw you,” “balls,” “scrotum,” “idiot,” “stupid,” “g-d,” “oh my g-d,” and “Jesus.”
The Flash Movie Age Rating for Kids?
With a runtime of 2 hours 24 minutes, this 2023 DC Universe live action film is a little on the long side. While filled with lots of engaging action sequences, there are also long, drawn out plot lines with heavy discussion that may be confusing and/or boring for younger kids.
The 2023 DC Universe live action super hero film is most comparable to the 2017 Justice League film with a touch of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Moon Knight and Loki.
This 2023 live action DC Universe film, The Flash is rated PG-13 for “sequences of violence, partial nudity, action and some strong language” by the MPA.
Yes! There is one end credits scene at the very end of the credits in The Flash – an unnecessary one, but there. The beginning credits does have a funny CGI created scene as well.
Based on my The Flash parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend The Flash 2023 to kids younger than the age of 11-12 years old.
Considering the full PG-13 rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend The Flash movie to kids younger than the age of 11-12 years old. The Flash PG-13 age rating does NOT cover it all, being more adult content and language focused (more like the first Shazam film) than the more serious DC Universe film ratings.
I recommend that parents prescreen The Flash film for adult content, humor, language and strong violence. While the PG-13 age rating holds true, the MPAA isn’t even close to disclosing it all. There’s a lot that parents really should consider before letting their children watch this DC film.
The Overall
The Flash is the right name for this film, in more ways than one. Flashing forward, flashing back or just flashing (his behind, that is), Ezra Miller’s acting skills are peak level for this feature film – showing a wide range and overall audience appreciation for why the weird guy is the super hero.
His running speed is not perfect. Muschetti does show a flash of brilliance here and there sprinkled between a slow plot (ironic for a speedy guy), a “been there” multiverse, and raunchy male chauvinistic humor. Overall The Flash is quirky, quick witted, emotional and relatable with his own twist on the DC multiverse. Fans will slow down to fall in love with the cameo nostalgia (seems to be a theme this summer) and have a spaghetti craving.
A little too flashy for a summer blockbuster film. Overall, I didn’t hate it. But I didn’t love The Flash either. Pass the guy a snack and a napkin.
Follow The Flash on social media:
- Website: https://www.theflashmovie.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFlash
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theFlash
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dctheflash/
- #TheFlashMovie
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The Flash, the all-new 2023 DC Universe live action film is running into theaters on Friday, June 16, 2023. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen the all-new 2023 The Flash film in exchange for The Flash Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
John says
Is gods name paired with the d word?
christie says
Not in this movie!
may says
I read a review that had this details as well: A man is naked but his hand and objects cover the front. You can get quick glimpses of a full body shot, and it is used for comedic effect.”
Did you encounter them as well?
And do you know if it’s possible to avoid them? Meaning knowing in advance before it happens.
Thanks
christie says
His hand is holding objects covering the front. You get quick glimpses of the fill backside, but not full body shot from the front. There are about 3-4 scenes total, all around the same point of the film that are pretty easy to anticipate.
May says
Thank you so much for your response!
Can you recall at which part in the movie you can expect it (more or less)?
christie says
*SPOILER ALERT – but yes. It’s after the scene where he gets his powers.
Tom says
I’m so sick of male nudity ruining movies. I’m sitting this out. Thanks for your review.
Jen says
Is there homosexuality or transgender shown in this movie?
christie says
Nothing obvious from my screening. Maybe there would be some slight inferences, but most of the adult content centers around masculinity and male genital region jokes.