Tools for this page
Print

A Scanner Darkly

  • 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 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Provocative animated sci-fi. Not for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Drug users and dealers, undercover cops (narcs) and organization/city officials all lie to betray one another. Police are brutal.
  • Violence:

    Addict imagines bug attack, then a shooting in the head (brief, brutal image); various falls and threats made by paranoid drug users; the central drug is said to destroy brains.
  • Sex:

    (All animated): Breasts visible, sexual activity explicit and brief; young men discuss sex with a woman.
  • Language:

    Frequent language: multiple f-words (over 30); slightly fewer s-words; some creative permutations of obscenities ("freckle-d---").
  • Consumerism:

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

    Frequent cigarette smoking; "drug epidemic" drives the plot (the drug severs brain hemispheres); characters sell and purchase drugs, smoke cigarettes (cigarette butts fill several ashtrays), drink liquor, discuss and name drugs (cocaine, for example).
 

What Parents Need to Know

About A Scanner Darkly

Parents need to know that this animated science fiction film includes frequent discussions of drugs, both real (cocaine) and not (something called Substance D). Addicts, dealers, and cops lie to each other and lament their loss of trust and community. Characters also drink and smoke cigarettes. A sex scene shows a woman's naked body (including exposed breasts) during the act, which is fairly explicit. There is rough language and some gritty images, incuding a drug addict imagining himself being shot in the head, and another throwing up while being admitted to an alleged rehab center.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the animated style here. Why was it made this way? What does it do to the viewer's relationship with the characters? Does it add to the futuristic feel? Families may also want to talk about some of the common themes in science fiction -- the constant tracking of civilians, for example. How does this movie compare to other sci fi? Finally, families may want to discuss the addicts. Are they truly friends? Is anybody ultimately sympathetic?

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

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about A Scanner Darkly?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Very goo movie.

    This movie was one of the best I have seen in a LONG time. There is some sex, and drug use, but the story is great. It teaches a great moral at the end on how much drugs can really mess up your life. Great movie, but just cover your kids eyes when someone is nude, or sex is going on.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Amazing!

    This was very true to the book, which I liked a lot. You should be sure you read the book before you see this, it is still much better.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 4.0

    For Adults Only!

    It was certainly entertaining...Definitly an adult movie.Certain scenes were for 18 and up....Sex,Language,Drugs,Violence.Kids will see this stuff soon enough...Hopefully Later...

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 0.0

    Not for Kids

    The story and seens are definitely not for kids.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Awesome movie, and a pretty good adaption of a great novel

    Keanu is back in this awesome movie, where the use of drugs has split his brain into two conflicting hemispheres, rather than two that work together. Because of this, he has problems remembering everything that he has been doing lately. Also, another thing this movie addresses is if the government should be allowed to survey people within their homes. In a sense, "Scanner" is a bit like "1984" by George Orwell. As for the live-action animation-- that was spectacular to look at, and helped add to the feel of the movie. As for content, the worse thing to worry about is the sex, but it was rather brief. The language isn't nearly as bad as other movies, such as "Good Will Hunting", but could trouble some people. However, I think if you're thirteen or up, than the language isn't something that you haven't heard already. So overall, this movie was fantastic, and I can't wait to see again with my friends.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

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