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Sierra Burgess Is a Loser poster

Is Sierra Burgess Is a Loser OK for Kids?

ComedyDramaRomance
14+
PG-13⭐ 5.8 / 102018 · 1h 45m
Ian Samuels

Where to Watch

United States

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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
1
Cartoon / Comedic
1
Action & Peril
0
Injuries & Death Shown
0
Graphic & Disturbing
  • Jamey gets hit during a football game and appears injured on the field, a moment played for real tension rather than graphic violence
  • Kenny playfully wrestles with Sierra over her phone in a lighthearted, cartoon-style moment with no real threat
  • No weapons are used and no characters die in the film
  • Overall violence is minimal and incidental to the story, which focuses on emotional and social conflict rather than physical harm
💬Language
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
21
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
15
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
4
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • Moderate language is frequent: 's**t' (8 times), 'da**' (3 times), 'p**s' (1 time), and 'a**' (3 times)
  • Strong language includes 'b**ch' (2 times) and 'sl*t/slutting' (2 times), used in charged social contexts
  • Mild language includes 'cr*p' (3 times), 'suck' (5 times), and 'jerk' (1 time)
  • The word 'loser' is used a striking 12 times, tied directly to the film's themes of social status and self-worth
  • No f-words or c-words detected
👻Scary Scenes
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
2
Mildly Tense
1
Startling Moments
0
Genuinely Scary
0
Deeply Disturbing
  • Sierra experiences visible anxiety during a FaceTime call with Jamey, tense with the fear of being discovered as a fraud
  • Spence suddenly appears at a party and takes Veronica away, a startling and unsettling moment rather than a jump scare in the horror sense
  • Sierra experiences tense discomfort at a football game trying to hide while cheering for the wrong team
  • All tense moments are emotional/social in nature and resolve through conversation and confrontation rather than danger
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
2
Crushes & Holding Hands
2
Kissing & Dating
1
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Sierra develops a growing crush on Jamey built entirely through texting before they meet
  • Jamey and Veronica share a kiss under the stars at night, and later Jamey and Sierra kiss at homecoming
  • There are explicit discussions (not depicted) of sexting and sending nude photos, which is a suggestive topic parents should know about
  • Veronica is romantically pursued by Spence, an older college student, adding an age-gap dynamic to the plot
  • No sexual content is shown on screen
🍺Substances
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
2
Mentioned in Passing
0
Shown Casually
1
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Teenage girls get visibly drunk at a party, including a keg stand scene shown prominently
  • There is a passing mention of students smoking pot by the bathrooms, not shown directly
  • A birth control dispenser is mentioned as a hiding spot for quiz answers, used comedically rather than as drug content
  • The drinking at the party leads to negative consequences (Spence dumping Veronica), suggesting the film does not glorify the behavior
⚡Stimulation
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
2
Exciting
1
Intense
0
Overwhelming
  • Extended phone conversations between Sierra and Jamey build a slow emotional rhythm rather than sensory intensity
  • The football game sequence features a lively crowd cheering and on-field action, more intense than the rest of the film
  • The homecoming dance and Sierra's performance of her song 'Sunflower' is an emotionally exciting but not overwhelming sequence
  • Overall pacing is grounded in dialogue and character drama, suitable for sensory-sensitive children
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser — Heads Up for Parents

Parents may be caught off guard by the explicit discussion of sexting and nude photos being sent between characters, even though nothing is shown on screen, as well as the prominent keg stand and teen drinking scene at the party.

About Sierra Burgess Is a Loser

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser follows a smart but insecure high schooler who accidentally gets a popular boy's number meant for a cheerleader and pretends to be that girl over text and phone calls, sparking a chain of catfishing lies, an unlikely friendship, and a journey toward self-acceptance. It's a modern teen comedy-drama that mixes humor with real emotional stakes around identity, deception, and body image.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
The catfishing plot, references to sexting/nude photos, teen drinking with a keg stand, and language like 'bitch' and 'slut' make this a good film to watch alongside young teens (14+) to discuss the ethics of online deception and healthy relationships.

Family Takeaways from Sierra Burgess Is a Loser

What it gets right

  • ✓The film shows real consequences for deception — Jamey's public confrontation at the football stadium forces Sierra to face what her catfishing has done
  • ✓Sierra's mother recognizing she needs to stop reliving her youth and be present for her daughter models healthy parental self-reflection

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes
●LGBTQ themes

The film includes a minor character who is openly gay and references to LGBTQ identity that would be noticeable to parents. Dan's sexuality is acknowledged and discussed as part of the supporting character dynamics.

Cast:Shannon PurserKristine FrosethRJ CylerNoah CentineoLoretta Devine

Is Sierra Burgess Is a Loser 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 Sierra Burgess Is a Loser

  • Is Sierra Burgess Is a Loser appropriate for a 14-year-old?
  • Does Sierra Burgess Is a Loser have violence?
  • Is Sierra Burgess Is a Loser OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for Sierra Burgess Is a Loser?

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