American History X
Drama
17+R
1998·1h 59m·Tony Kaye·New Line Cinema·● Script read & verified
A drama following a former white supremacist who is released from prison after killing two Black men, and how his past actions affect his younger...
Watch with your child — The extreme racist content and complex themes of radicalization require adult guidance and discussion
Heads Up for Parents
Contains extensive Nazi imagery and white supremacist propaganda that could be disturbing or triggering
What's In It
Violence
Extreme▸
Language
Extreme▸
Scary
Mild▸
Romance
Mild▸
Substances
Very Mild▸
Stimulation
Mild▸
Cultural & Values Guide
Faith & Religion
●Jewish themes
The film depicts Derek's transformation from violent neo-Nazi antisemitism to rejecting those beliefs, with Jewish identity and Holocaust imagery being central to the white supremacist ideology the film critiques.
Values & Themes
●Traditional family values
Derek's redemption is driven entirely by protecting his younger brother Danny from following the same destructive path, with family love and responsibility as the core emotional message throughout.
Community Notes
- Concerns about graphic depiction of hate crimes
- Worry that racist rhetoric could influence viewers
- Debate over whether the film glorifies or condemns white supremacy
Family Takeaways
What it gets right
- ✓Shows the destructive cycle of hate and how it spreads to younger generations
- ✓Demonstrates how tragedy can be manipulated to fuel extremist ideologies
Cast:Edward NortonEdward FurlongBeverly D'AngeloJennifer LienEthan Suplee