law abiding citizen parents guide

2 min read 21-02-2025

Meta Description: Is the action thriller Law Abiding Citizen appropriate for your family? This parent's guide delves into the film's violence, mature themes, and language to help you decide if it's suitable for your children. We explore the film's intense plot and offer age recommendations. Learn whether Law Abiding Citizen is right for your family viewing.

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What is Law Abiding Citizen About?

Law Abiding Citizen (2009) is a gripping action thriller starring Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx. It follows Clyde Shelton (Butler), a man whose family is brutally murdered. When the justice system fails him, Shelton takes the law into his own hands, meticulously orchestrating a complex plan of revenge against those he deems responsible. The film explores themes of justice, revenge, and the flaws within the legal system.

Violence and Gore

This is where the film's most significant parental concern lies. Law Abiding Citizen contains graphic violence, including:

Brutal murders: The film depicts several violent killings, some in considerable detail. These scenes are intense and may be disturbing for younger viewers.
Torture: Shelton employs various methods of torture on his targets. These scenes are graphic and disturbing.
Realistic depictions of injury: The injuries sustained by characters are shown realistically, adding to the film's intensity.

Mature Themes

Beyond the violence, the film tackles mature themes that parents should consider:

Revenge: The central theme of the film is revenge, and its potentially destructive consequences. This might be a complex concept for younger children to grasp.
Moral ambiguity: The film presents morally gray characters, forcing viewers to question their own sense of justice. Discussions about morality and justice can be beneficial, but need to be age-appropriate.
Death and grief: The film explores the devastating effects of loss and grief. This can be emotionally challenging for younger viewers.

Language

The language in Law Abiding Citizen is quite strong, including frequent use of:

Profanity: The film uses a considerable amount of strong language throughout.
Insults and threats: Characters frequently engage in verbal abuse and threats.

Is Law Abiding Citizen Suitable for Kids?

Given the graphic violence, mature themes, and strong language, Law Abiding Citizen is not suitable for young children. It's recommended for mature audiences only. We suggest an age rating of 17+. Even teenagers might find some aspects disturbing.

Age Recommendations:

Under 13: Absolutely not.
13-15: Highly unlikely to be appropriate. Consider mature teens, but parental guidance is crucial and discussion of the themes necessary.
16-17: Possibly, with parental guidance and discussion.
18+: Suitable for mature audiences.

What to Discuss with Your Kids After Watching (If Appropriate)

If you choose to watch Law Abiding Citizen with older teenagers, it's vital to have a discussion afterwards. Consider these discussion points:

The nature of justice: Does the film's depiction of justice align with your own beliefs?
The consequences of revenge: What are the potential repercussions of seeking revenge?
Moral ambiguity: Was Clyde Shelton justified in his actions? Why or why not?
The importance of the legal system: How could the system have been improved to prevent Clyde's actions?

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to watch Law Abiding Citizen is a parental decision. Weigh the film's content against your children's maturity levels and your family's values. Consider watching the film yourself first to determine its suitability for your family.