🍿 PopcornCheck
The Nun poster

Is The Nun OK for Kids?

Horror
13+
R⭐ 5.4 / 102018 · 1h 36m
Corin Hardy

Where to Watch

United States

Stream

HBO Max Amazon ChannelHBO Max

Rent

Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomePlex
Rent or Buy on Amazon

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
1
Action & Peril
1
Injuries & Death Shown
4
Graphic & Disturbing
  • A nun, Sister Victoria, is discovered hanging dead at the abbey, later revealed to be a sacrificial suicide tied to demonic possession
  • Father Burke becomes trapped and is nearly buried alive beneath the floor of the abbey
  • The demonic nun violently attacks the group during a prayer vigil, and Frenchy is shot with a shotgun by the possessed entity
  • The possessed nun displays graphic, inhuman body contortions and unnatural movement throughout multiple scenes
  • Fire is used as a weapon against the demonic entity during the climactic catacombs confrontation
  • Violence is supernatural and atmospheric rather than realistic combat, with no torture or prolonged bloody gore
💬Language
Very Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
20
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
0
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
0
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • Characters say 'hell/Hell' three times and 'da**/damned' twice, both mild in context
  • The word 'evil' is used frequently (15 times), reflecting the film's religious and supernatural themes rather than profanity
  • No f-words, c-words, or other strong profanity of any kind detected in the script
👻Scary Scenes
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Mildly Tense
1
Startling Moments
3
Genuinely Scary
2
Deeply Disturbing
  • The core horror comes from the discovery that the nun in the chapel is not human but a demonic entity, revealed gradually and disturbingly
  • Father Burke sees recurring visions of a dead child named Daniel, tied to his own past trauma with an exorcism
  • A startling scare occurs when a body's position is discovered changed from face-down to sitting upright
  • The revelation that Sister Victoria's suicide was actually a sacrificial possession adds a deeply disturbing layer to the plot
  • The demonic nun appears repeatedly throughout the abbey's corridors, and a frightening portal opens in the catacombs releasing evil
  • Scares are resolved through prayer, holy relics, and the final sealing of the portal rather than being left unresolved
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Crushes & Holding Hands
0
Kissing & Dating
1
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Frenchy makes suggestive comments to Sister Irene about her beauty and attractiveness, described as a crush-level flirtation
  • Frenchy asks if Sister Irene would 'help or help him' with a flirtatious undertone, though nothing physical occurs
  • No kissing, dating, or sexual content is depicted at any point in the film
🍺Substances
Very Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mentioned in Passing
0
Shown Casually
0
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • The only substance-related content is a reference to the 'blood of Jesus Christ' described as a holy relic in a religious context
  • This is a religious/spiritual reference rather than depiction of alcohol or drug use
  • No actual drinking, smoking, or drug use is shown anywhere in the film
⚡Stimulation
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
0
Exciting
2
Intense
1
Overwhelming
  • The prolonged catacombs sequences involve demonic attacks and fire combat that build to an overwhelming sensory climax
  • The final exorcism and portal-sealing scene layers multiple supernatural manifestations for an intense finish
  • Continuous prayer vigil scenes escalate steadily into terror, sustaining tension for an extended period
  • Sensory-sensitive children or those prone to overstimulation may find the catacombs and vigil sequences difficult to sit through
The Nun — Heads Up for Parents

Despite being a horror film about nuns, the demonic entity's graphic body contortions and the reveal that Sister Victoria's suicide was actually a sacrificial possession are more disturbing than the marketing suggests, and may catch parents off guard even at a PG-13 level.

About The Nun

The Nun follows a priest, Father Burke, and a young novice, Sister Irene, sent by the Vatican to investigate the suicide of a nun at a remote Romanian abbey. They uncover a demonic entity haunting the abbey and must confront ancient evil to seal it away before it escapes into the world. The tone is dark, atmospheric horror with religious ritual and supernatural dread throughout.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
The sustained supernatural terror—including the demonic nun's attack during the prayer vigil and the intense catacombs/portal-sealing climax—benefits from a parent's presence for teens under 15 to help process the scares and religious themes.

Family Takeaways from The Nun

What it gets right

  • ✓The film treats religious devotion seriously and respectfully, shown through Father Burke's careful last rites for the deceased nuns
  • ✓Frenchy's return with a gun to help the others escape models loyalty and courage under pressure rather than self-preservation alone

The Nun Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Faith & Religion
●Christian themes

The entire film revolves around Catholic nuns, priests, and the Church's battle against demonic forces. Prayer, holy relics, and Christian faith are the primary weapons used against evil throughout the story.

Cast:Taissa FarmigaDemián BichirBonnie AaronsJonas BloquetIngrid Bisu

Is The Nun 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 Nun

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

You might also like

Browse more parent guides

All movies A–ZHorror moviesMovies for 13-year-olds