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Sound of Metal poster

Is Sound of Metal OK for Kids?

DramaMusic
15+
R⭐ 7.7 / 102019 · 2h 1m
Darius Marder

Where to Watch

United States

Stream

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
🗡️Violence
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Cartoon / Comedic
2
Action & Peril
0
Injuries & Death Shown
0
Graphic & Disturbing
  • Ruben has an emotional breakdown in the RV, screaming and grunting while destroying equipment as Lou tries to stop him
  • Ruben threatens self-harm, telling Lou he needs 'a f**king gun in my mouth,' a disturbing verbal expression of suicidal ideation
  • No weapons are used and no one is physically injured on screen; the violence is emotional and destructive rather than physical combat
  • No characters die in the film
  • Overall tone: the violence stems from psychological crisis and addiction relapse patterns rather than action or physical altercation
💬Language
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
20
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
47
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • 'F**k/f**king' is used 47 times throughout the film, the most frequent profanity
  • 'S**t' is used 18 times and 'da**' is used 2 times
  • 'Hell' is used once
  • No slurs are noted in the extraction, but the sheer frequency of strong profanity is significant and pervasive throughout
👻Scary Scenes
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mildly Tense
0
Startling Moments
0
Genuinely Scary
2
Deeply Disturbing
  • Ruben's rapid hearing loss triggers a genuine emotional crisis that is disturbing to watch as he grapples with losing his identity as a musician
  • The audiology appointment scene reveals severe hearing deterioration through distorted, unsettling sound effects that put the viewer in Ruben's disoriented perspective
  • Ruben's suicidal ideation and self-harm threats during his breakdown are the most disturbing content in the film, presented without graphic violence but with raw emotional intensity
  • These moments resolve through Ruben receiving support from Joe and the recovery community rather than any onscreen tragedy
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Crushes & Holding Hands
2
Kissing & Dating
2
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • The opening scene shows intimate content between Ruben and Lou set to suggestive lyrics about physical desire
  • Lou and Ruben kiss multiple times throughout the film as their relationship is central to the story
  • There are intimate moments between Ruben and Lou shown in bed and throughout their life together in the RV, implied but not explicit
  • Lou also kisses her father Richard on the cheek after they perform a duet together, which Ruben observes with visible discomfort
🍺Substances
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mentioned in Passing
1
Shown Casually
2
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Ruben is an active recovering addict with 4 years clean from heroin and other drugs, and his recovery is central to the plot
  • Joe, who runs the deaf recovery community, is a recovering alcoholic who lost his hearing in Vietnam and has been sober 4 years
  • Ruben smokes a cigarette early in the film, which his sober companion Hector addresses over the phone
  • There is ongoing discussion of the addiction recovery program and 12-step meetings, with substances shown consistently in a recovery-focused, non-glorified context
⚡Stimulation
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
0
Exciting
3
Intense
1
Overwhelming
  • The opening concert performance features loud electric guitar, drums, crowd noise, and distorted audio at high intensity
  • Multiple sequences use disorienting, muffled, and distorted sound design to represent Ruben's hearing loss, which can be overwhelming for sensory-sensitive viewers
  • Ruben's emotional breakdown scene includes screaming, grunting, and the destruction of equipment, adding to the sensory intensity
  • The cochlear implant activation scene uses uncomfortable distorted sounds as Ruben adjusts to his new sensory reality, which is intentionally jarring
  • This film is not suitable for sensory-sensitive children due to its heavy reliance on disorienting sound design as a storytelling device
Sound of Metal — Heads Up for Parents

Despite being a drama rather than a horror or action film, parents should be aware of a genuinely disturbing scene where Ruben has a full breakdown, destroys equipment in the RV, and explicitly threatens self-harm by saying he needs 'a f**king gun in my mouth' — this moment is raw and unflinching, not softened for effect.

About Sound of Metal

Sound of Metal follows Ruben, a heavy metal drummer and recovering addict, as he rapidly loses his hearing and must navigate a new identity within the Deaf community. It's an emotionally intense, sound-design-driven drama about loss, identity, addiction recovery, and what it means to find belonging outside of one's former life.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
Teens 15+ can benefit from watching with a parent given the frequent strong profanity (47 uses of 'fuck'), the self-harm threat during Ruben's breakdown, and the mature themes of addiction and identity loss that are worth discussing afterward.

Family Takeaways from Sound of Metal

What it gets right

  • ✓The film portrays addiction recovery and 12-step community support seriously through Joe and Ruben's mentor relationship, showing recovery as ongoing work rather than a quick fix
  • ✓It reframes deafness as identity rather than disability through the deaf school community welcoming Ruben and teaching him sign language

Sound of Metal Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Faith & Religion
●Buddhist themes

Ruben's journey through deaf recovery involves meditation, mindfulness practices, and learning to accept silence rather than fight it. The Buddhist philosophy of acceptance and letting go of attachments is central to his healing process at the sober house.

Cast:Riz AhmedOlivia CookePaul RaciLauren RidloffMathieu Amalric

Is Sound of Metal 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: Not recommended 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 Sound of Metal

  • Is Sound of Metal appropriate for a 15-year-old?
  • Does Sound of Metal have violence?
  • Is Sound of Metal OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for Sound of Metal?

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