Zero Dark Thirty
ThrillerDrama
17+R
2012·2h 37m·Kathryn Bigelow·Annapurna Pictures·● Script read & verified
A CIA analyst spends years tracking down Osama bin Laden following the September 11 attacks. The film depicts the controversial interrogation methods used in the...
Watch with your child — Complex moral themes about torture and terrorism require mature discussion and context
Heads Up for Parents
Opens with actual audio recordings from 9/11 victims making final phone calls, which may be unexpectedly traumatic
What's In It
Violence
Extreme▸
Language
Extreme▸
Scary
Extreme▸
Romance
None▸
Substances
None▸
Stimulation
Extreme▸
Cultural & Values Guide
Faith & Religion
●Islamic themes
The film depicts Islamic prayer, religious practices, and cultural elements authentically throughout as it follows the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Islamic faith and customs are meaningfully portrayed in the context of the story.
Community Notes
- Human rights groups criticized the film's depiction of torture as potentially justifying controversial CIA practices
- Some critics argued the film presented a pro-torture narrative
Family Takeaways
What it gets right
- ✓Shows the dedication and persistence required in intelligence work
- ✓Depicts the moral complexity of fighting terrorism
Cast:Jessica ChastainJason ClarkeKyle ChandlerJennifer EhleMark Strong