Tools for this page
Print

Kill Bill: Vol. 1

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Visually striking, but also very violent.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Very strong women and minority characters.
  • Violence:

    Constant, extreme graphic violence with gallons of spurting blood, characters maimed and killed. Nightmare material.
  • Sex:

    A character is repeatedly raped while she is unconscious.
  • Language:

    Exceptionally strong language.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking and smoking.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Kill Bill: Vol. 1 was written by Nell Minow

Parents need to know that they should exercise the strongest caution before allowing their kids to see this film. They should know that the movie has the most intense, graphic, brutal, and destructive violence imaginable (at least until Tarantino thinks up something new). Body parts are sliced off and blood gushes and spurts like a geyser. Many characters are maimed and many more are killed. A mother is murdered in front of her young child. A man's head is sliced off and tossed around. A character is repeatedly raped while she is unconscious. Characters drink and smoke and use very strong language.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the sources of inspiration Tarantino drew from.
Did this review help you decide?

Are you going to see it?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on Kill Bill: Vol. 1

What’s the Story?

Uma Thurman plays someone we just know as "The Bride" (her name is bleeped out). On her wedding day, the entire wedding party was killed by her former associates, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad (DiVAS). The pregnant Bride was beaten and shot in the head, but did not die. She lost her baby and was in a coma for four years. When she wakes up, she seeks revenge from each of the DiVAS and their leader, Bill.

Is It Any Good?

This is a stylish and visually striking movie, but it is also a very violent movie, possibly the most violent movie ever released by a major American movie studio. The carnage is so completely and outrageously over the top that it could trigger laughs, but some may find the endless slicing off of body parts and gallons of fake spurting blood overwhelming or even numbing. Much of the movie is one fight scene after another, yet the revenge provides a motive and a hero, giving the fight scenes enough forward momentum to feel like a story.

Fans of this genre will find it sensationally entertaining. The action scenes are brilliantly staged, and Tarantino's other trademarks -- cool music, playing around with time, and brilliant dialogue are all there in full force. Uma Thurman , Viveca A. Fox, and Lucy Liu hold their own in fight scenes with eye-popping visuals that would overwhelm most performers.

Movie Details

Studio: Miramax, Director: Quentin Tarantino
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/09/2003, DVD release: 04/13/2004
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexual content

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

What did you think about Kill Bill: Vol. 1?

or

to post a review

See all 31 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect family movie for all ages! :)

    This is a perfectly family-friendly film. Has good role-models, friendship, and a very positive message.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Ultra-Bloody action flick is great for older teens.

    I love this movie! It's an absolute classic and i've seen both. A warning to parents though: This movie is one of the bloodiest movies i have ever seen, period. Literally gallons of blood spraying and spurting everywhere, especially in the scene where she fights the crazy 88 (88 japanese soldiers) Also has some language, and the main character who's goal is to kill Bill, and the four other assassin's that betrayed her and her child.

  3. I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Adults only, but the movie is great.

    Great movie, the main character is an honorable fighter, but you forget she is so noble with all the blood and gore. Kill bill is very artistic though, the movie is well shot and briefly funny. Probaly Quentin Taratinos best film, there is a very bloody animated scene, this scene is very graphic even for anime but it is artistic and creative. I thought this movie would have been better if there was less sex and less cursing. But the "bloody-gutty" violence is mixed with creativity. I think this ADULT movie is excellent.

  4. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    oh come on. this movie is not mature at all. its very bloody but completly cartoonish and comic which most tweens will probably understand. a very silly movie but the outstanding visually striking cinematography is the main reason to watch this.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative role models

    Comic action-violence caper!

    I love everything Tarintino! the action and violence is too comic to create any bad thoughts or emotions.

  6. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Perfect for kids 13 and up!

    We love the action, but i must say something about the way you rated the sex! she is about to get raped, she is never fully raped, and you don't see any other people rape her. So i suggest you guys bring it down to one!

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Even more action packed than Wanted.

    Action, exciting violence, and swimming pools of blood from constant murders give this movie a 5 star rating (but just bearly) Also, Uma Thurman did an excellent job as The Bride, as did Quintin Tarantino did directing. I'm definantly gonna watch the second one.

  8. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Wasen't great

    It was ok some of the aciton was cool but in a way a let down. nothing really concerned me about this film but if your 15 VIOLENCE might groos you out mostly the girls. And soem bad role models but nothing really.

  9. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Wasen't great

    It was ok some of the aciton was cool but in a way a let down. nothing really concerned me about this film but if your 15 VIOLENCE might groos you out mostly the girls. And soem bad role models but nothing really.

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 2.0

    Bored with the gore

    Kill Bill Vol. 1 is definitely not for people under the age of 17. I thought that this movie, or shall I say, half a movie...was way over the top and for the most part did not keep my interest. As the reviews stated, yes, this was a very gory movie with spurting blood and brains, but I didn't feel that it was sexist in any way. If anything, the movie is saying, you better watch your back or else this girl might come back to take you out. Uma Thurman was shown beat up in the opening scene, but she was not attacked solely by men. The movie is about her coming back to seek revenge on the ones who had done this to her. In order to get to some of her enemies she stabbed, sliced, mutilated, amputated, and killed many men and women including her enemies. Part of the movie was animated, which artistically, I thought was well done. A crime leader murders O'Ren Ishii's parents in front of her at the age of eight and there was mention of pedophilia helping her get close to getting revenge on him. There wasn't much shown, but the idea was sickening and extremely disturbing. I feel that for this part of the movie the animation was needed to drive home the fact that this movie is not real. There were so many fight scenes, many which were drawn out, that I got bored after a while, became desensitized to the blood and lost interest in the weak-plotted movie. As a mature viewer, I found most of the vulgar parts of the movie to be comical, and this aspect of the movie to be more offensive than any of the violence. Aside from all the gore, I did get a couple of laughs out of the movie and am still glad I saw it, because the 7 bucks bought me a topic of endless conversation.

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Cinematic Excellence

    Quentin Tarantino turned the filmaking world on its head when he released the monumental "Pulp Fiction." Throwing exploitation, spaghetti western, and kung fu action films in his pop culture blender, he comes out with an amazing film and a lot of blood. The violence in this film is very stylistic, sometimes outlandish, and always cool. Critics of this film need to realize that most of this violence is way over the top. Some other questionable scenes, such as the rape of O-Ren Ishii's mother, is off screen. I'm 15 years old, and I totally loved this film. I think it is fine for a 12 year old to see it, but they should be mature enough to realize Tarantino's influences, and the parody like geysers of blood. "Kill Bill" is extremely light on plot, and heavy on storytelling. Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, and Vivica A. Fox exceeded my expectations. All had an undeniable presence on screen, and went all out. Parents, take your kid to this movie if he or she can understand that it's a movie, with bloodiness that shouldn't be taken seriously.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 3.0

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Great movie

    Great movie -- Tarantino's best work since Pulp Fiction. Not much of a plot but still a great movie.

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    I liked this because I like Uma Thurman

    She is such a talented actress. This film did have some very strong language in the beginning but after that its just about the violence. I definatley would not reccomend this film to younger kids!

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title off for age 0 and give it 0.0

    Unless you are the violent type that loves blood and gore, this movie is not for you.

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 0 and give it 3.0

    Wow!

    This movie is definately very gorey. Heads get chopped off. That was my only issue with the movie. The raping scene is also very innapropriate. All though you see no nudity. The refrences are extremly graphic. Okay movie! See it and see what you think about it!

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    great

    superb!

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    The Princess and the Frog

    The Princess and the Frog

    First African-American Disney princess is a good role model.

  • Tech Tip

    What parents need to know.YouTube and Your Kid

    What parents need to know.

  • Must See TV

    Life Unexpected

    Life Unexpected

    Teen-themed family drama is edgy but earnest.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Download This

    Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

    Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

    Fantastic folk favorites perfect for family road trips.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name