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News of the World poster

Is News of the World OK for Kids?

DramaWesternAdventureAction
11+
PG-13⭐ 6.8 / 102020 · 1h 58m
Paul Greengrass

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United States

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
🗡️Violence
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Cartoon / Comedic
4
Action & Peril
1
Injuries & Death Shown
2
Graphic & Disturbing
  • Kidd physically restrains Johanna as she tries to flee into the woods during a violent thunderstorm
  • An extended gunfight breaks out between Kidd and Almay's gang, who pursue them on horseback firing multiple shots, and Kidd is shot during the confrontation
  • Mr. Farley's men beat Kidd severely, and one man is shot dead for questioning their authority
  • Verbal descriptions recount the massacre of Johanna's family, including her throat being cut and her baby sister's brain being bashed out
  • A wagon accident in Hill Country kills a horse, and Kidd is later shown shooting the injured horse to end its suffering
  • Weapons include guns/rifles used in gunfights and confrontations; no swords or explosives
  • Overall tone is somber and consequence-driven rather than gratuitous, but includes graphic verbal violence and one on-screen shooting death
💬Language
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
3
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
18
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • Characters say 'da**/godda**' roughly 12 times and 'hell' 5 times throughout the film
  • The word 's**t' is used 3 times in dialogue
  • The insult 'scum' is used once
  • No f-words or c-words detected in the script
👻Scary Scenes
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
2
Mildly Tense
1
Startling Moments
1
Genuinely Scary
1
Deeply Disturbing
  • During a violent thunderstorm, Johanna attempts to run into the river and Kidd must physically rescue her from a cliff edge
  • An armed confrontation with Almay's gang creates a startling moment as they threaten to take Johanna by force
  • Kidd and Johanna hide in a ravine while being pursued, and the tension escalates when Johanna nearly calls out and reveals their hiding spot
  • Johanna confronts the actual site of her family's massacre in Hill Country, an emotionally disturbing scene handled with sensitivity by Kidd
  • A dust storm sequence creates prolonged tension as Kidd desperately searches for a missing Johanna
  • All scary sequences resolve with Kidd protecting or comforting Johanna, reinforcing safety rather than lingering dread
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Crushes & Holding Hands
0
Kissing & Dating
1
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • There is no romantic relationship between any characters in the film
  • Almay makes a suggestive implication that Kidd was 'lucky' with Johanna in the desert, hinting at sexual exploitation, though nothing is shown or confirmed
  • No kissing, dating, or physical intimacy occurs on screen
🍺Substances
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mentioned in Passing
1
Shown Casually
0
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Coffee is consumed casually during meal scenes multiple times throughout the film
  • Alcohol/drinking is referenced in passing during saloon scenes but not shown in detail
  • No drug use, glorification, or substance abuse depicted
⚡Stimulation
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
1
Exciting
2
Intense
0
Overwhelming
  • An extended chase and gunfight sequence features multiple gunshots and near-death moments for Kidd
  • Kidd's decision to tell a subversive story about miners to Mr. Farley's crowd leads to a tense, escalating confrontation that turns violent
  • The wagon accident sequence with a runaway horse and crash provides an exciting but brief burst of sensory intensity
  • Pacing is generally slow and contemplative between these intense bursts, which may help sensory-sensitive children recover between scenes
News of the World — Heads Up for Parents

Despite its relatively quiet, reflective tone, parents should be aware of the graphic verbal descriptions of Johanna's family massacre (throat cut, baby sister's brain bashed out) and the beating Kidd endures at the hands of Mr. Farley's men, which are more intense than the film's overall calm pacing might suggest.

About News of the World

Set in post-Civil War Texas, this drama follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a traveling news reader, as he agrees to transport a young girl named Johanna—who was raised by the Kiowa after her German settler family was massacred—back to her surviving relatives. Along the dangerous journey they face gunmen, dust storms, and violent confrontations, while slowly forming a father-daughter bond. The tone is somber and reflective, dealing with grief, prejudice, and healing in a frontier setting.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
Younger children ages 8-11 will benefit from a parent present to help process the disturbing massacre references and the emotional scene where Johanna confronts her family's massacre site, as well as to discuss themes of cultural displacement and grief.

Family Takeaways from News of the World

What it gets right

  • ✓The film shows Kidd processing his grief over his deceased wife by visiting his friend Willie, modeling healthy vulnerability rather than suppressing emotion
  • ✓Mrs. Gannett translates for Johanna and shows compassion, and the Leonbergers agree to take Johanna in despite her traumatic background, illustrating community kindness toward the displaced

News of the World Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes
●Traditional family values

The entire narrative centers on Captain Kidd taking responsibility for Johanna as a surrogate father figure, with their bond becoming a found family built on care, protection, and sacrifice. The film's emotional core is about creating family bonds and the duty to protect and nurture children.

Cast:Tom HanksHelena ZengelMichael Angelo CovinoRay McKinnonMare Winningham

Is News of the World 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: Generally appropriate 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 News of the World

  • Is News of the World appropriate for a 11-year-old?
  • Does News of the World have violence?
  • Is News of the World OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for News of the World?

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