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The Flash poster

Is The Flash OK for Kids?

ActionScience FictionAdventure
13+
PG-13⭐ 6.6 / 102023 · 2h 24m
Andy Muschietti

Where to Watch

United States

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
⏳

We're re-reading this screenplay with our upgraded analysis. Scene-by-scene moment counts aren't available for The Flash yet — the summaries below are from our earlier read-through. Check back soon.

🗡️Violence
Moderate▼
  • Large-scale battle sequences between superheroes and Kryptonian forces with explosive action
  • General Zod kills baby Superman in this timeline - discussed but not shown graphically
  • Multiple deaths occur during Zod's terraforming attempts including civilians
  • Hand-to-hand combat between Flash variants and fight scenes with Supergirl
💬Language
Mild▼
  • One use of 'd**k' in crude sexual context by teenage Barry about his costume
  • Multiple uses of mild profanity including 's**t' and 'da**'
  • Barry calls his older self 'full of s**t' during emotional confrontation
  • Language includes 'd**ks' when referring to bad humans
👻Scary Scenes
Moderate▼
  • The reveal that baby Superman was killed by Zod is emotionally disturbing
  • Intense scenes of world destruction and terraforming that could frighten children
  • Dark Flash villain transformation is visually unsettling
  • Multiverse collapse sequences show reality breaking down in frightening ways
💕Romance
Very Mild▼
  • Brief discussion about Barry being an adult virgin presented as awkward humor
  • No significant romantic content or intimate scenes shown
  • References to characters having relationships but nothing explicit
🍺Substances
None▼
  • No alcohol, drug use, or substance abuse depicted
  • Characters consume normal food and beverages only
⚡Stimulation
Mild▼
  • Fast-paced editing during Speed Force sequences with rapid visual effects
  • Loud explosive sounds during battle scenes and time travel sequences
  • Multiverse imagery with rapid-fire cameos and reality shifts that can be overwhelming
The Flash — Heads Up for Parents

The film deals heavily with a child witnessing his mother's murder as the central trauma driving the plot, which may be more intense than expected from a superhero movie.

About The Flash

Barry Allen/The Flash uses his super-speed to travel back in time and save his murdered mother, but accidentally creates an alternate timeline where General Zod invades Earth without Superman to stop him. Barry must team up with an alternate version of himself, an older Batman (Michael Keaton), and Supergirl to defeat Zod and restore the timeline.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
Complex themes about grief, loss, and accepting tragedy benefit from discussion with teens

Family Takeaways from The Flash

What it gets right

  • ✓Shows the importance of accepting loss and grief rather than trying to undo painful events
  • ✓Demonstrates how obsessing over changing the past can prevent living in the present
  • ✓Portrays family bonds and the love between parent and child as transcending death

The Flash Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes
●Traditional family values

Barry's entire motivation throughout the film is to save his family by preventing his mother's murder. The film's emotional core centers on a son's love for his parents and his willingness to sacrifice everything to preserve his family unit.

Community Notes

  • Some critics noted the film's handling of Ezra Miller's real-life controversies affected reception
  • DC fans had mixed reactions to timeline changes affecting established characters
Cast:Ezra MillerSasha CalleMichael KeatonMichael ShannonRon Livingston

Is The Flash Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

✗Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
✗Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
✗Age 10: Not recommended for 10-year-olds
✗Age 12: Not recommended for 12-year-olds
✓Age 13: Generally appropriate for 13-year-olds
✓Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
✓Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary — use your judgment.

Parents also ask about The Flash

  • Is The Flash appropriate for a 13-year-old?
  • Does The Flash have violence?
  • Is The Flash OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for The Flash?

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