🍿 PopcornCheck
Nomadland poster

Is Nomadland OK for Kids?

Drama
13+
R⭐ 7.3 / 102020 · 1h 48m
ChloΓ© Zhao

Where to Watch

United States

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
πŸ—‘οΈViolence
Noneβ–Ό
Moments in the script, mildest β†’ most intense
0
Cartoon / Comedic
0
Action & Peril
0
Injuries & Death Shown
0
Graphic & Disturbing
  • There are no violent scenes, fights, or weapons anywhere in the film.
  • No characters are shown dying on screen; death is discussed only through dialogue.
  • The extraction contains zero violence instances.
  • Overall tone is entirely non-violent, focused on quiet human drama.
πŸ’¬Language
Mildβ–Ό
Moments in the script, mildest β†’ most intense
1
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
1
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
0
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • The word 'b**ch' is used once (Moderate level).
  • The word 's**t' is used once (Mild level).
  • No f-words, c-words, or slurs are present.
  • Profanity is minimal and infrequent throughout the entire film.
πŸ‘»Scary Scenes
Extremeβ–Ό
Moments in the script, mildest β†’ most intense
1
Mildly Tense
0
Startling Moments
0
Genuinely Scary
4
Deeply Disturbing
  • Swankie reveals she has terminal small cell carcinoma that has spread to her brain and is given 7-8 months to live, a heavy and emotional disclosure.
  • Swankie mentions owning the 'Final Exit' book by Dr. Kevorkian as a backup end-of-life plan, an unflinching discussion of assisted death.
  • Swankie is shown experiencing a severe headache and nausea while traveling, a tense moment referencing her declining health.
  • Fern recalls having considered suicide before starting her nomadic life, and Bob Wells shares that his son died by suicide five years earlier on what would have been his 33rd birthday β€” both are emotionally disturbing but handled with compassion and resolved through community support rather than graphic depiction.
πŸ’•Romance
Moderateβ–Ό
Moments in the script, mildest β†’ most intense
2
Crushes & Holding Hands
0
Kissing & Dating
1
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Derek approaches Fern at Quartzsite and strikes up a friendly, mildly flirtatious conversation.
  • Dave expresses romantic interest in Fern and invites her to stay longer at his home, though nothing physical or sexual occurs.
  • Derek mentions he writes letters to a girlfriend living on a farm in North Country β€” a passing, non-explicit reference.
  • There is no kissing, nudity, or sexual content depicted.
🍺Substances
Mildβ–Ό
Moments in the script, mildest β†’ most intense
1
Mentioned in Passing
2
Shown Casually
0
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Fern smokes cigarettes throughout the film; Dave offers her licorice sticks as a smoking deterrent, framing smoking as an unhealthy habit rather than something glamorized.
  • Characters are shown casually drinking beer and alcohol at social gatherings.
  • Fern briefly mentions having once considered suicide involving a propane stove and alcohol before she began her nomadic life β€” a serious, non-glorified reference.
  • No drug abuse or addiction is depicted; substance use is background and casual.
⚑Stimulation
Moderateβ–Ό
Moments in the script, mildest β†’ most intense
1
Gently Engaging
1
Exciting
1
Intense
0
Overwhelming
  • The film is generally slow-paced and contemplative, with gentle scenes like line dancing at the Quartzsite Yacht Club.
  • A tour of the Badlands with a paleontologist discussing fossil discoveries offers a more engaging, exciting sequence.
  • The drive on 'hairy' roads to Dave's home is mentioned as tense but is not shown as an action sequence.
  • Overall the film is suitable for sensory-sensitive viewers due to its quiet, meditative tone.
Nomadland β€” Heads Up for Parents

Despite having no violence and minimal language, parents should be aware the film includes candid discussions of suicide β€” both Fern's own past ideation involving a propane stove and alcohol, and Bob Wells recounting his son's suicide on his 33rd birthday β€” which may be heavier than the film's quiet tone suggests.

About Nomadland

Nomadland follows Fern, a woman in her sixties who loses her home and job after a factory town collapses, and sets out to live in her van, traveling across the American West and joining a community of real-life nomads. It's a quiet, contemplative drama about grief, self-reliance, and finding connection outside of traditional society.

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§
Best watched together
Teens 13+ will benefit from a parent present to unpack the film's heavy themes of terminal illness, suicide, and grief β€” such as Swankie's cancer diagnosis and Bob Wells' account of his son's suicide β€” even though there is no violence or graphic content to worry about.

Family Takeaways from Nomadland

What it gets right

  • βœ“The film portrays aging, economic hardship, and grief with honesty and empathy rather than sensationalism, as seen in Swankie's calm acceptance of her terminal diagnosis while still choosing to help Fern paint her van.
  • βœ“It shows a supportive community response to suicidal ideation and loss, such as Bob Wells' openness about his son's suicide and his philosophy that nomads act as 'lifeboats' for each other in crisis.

Nomadland Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Faith & Religion
●Buddhist themes

The film explores Buddhist concepts of impermanence and acceptance as Fern learns to let go of her former life and embrace the transitory nature of existence. Her journey reflects Buddhist ideas about finding peace through acceptance of loss and change.

Cast:Frances McDormandDavid StrathairnLinda MaySwankieGay DeForest

Is Nomadland Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

βœ—Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
βœ—Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
βœ—Age 10: Not recommended for 10-year-olds
βœ—Age 12: Not recommended for 12-year-olds
βœ“Age 13: Generally appropriate for 13-year-olds
βœ“Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
βœ“Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary β€” use your judgment.

Parents also ask about Nomadland

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

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