Parents' Guide to Battle Royale

Movie 2000 NR 122 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Jeffrey Anderson By Jeffrey Anderson , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 17+

Ultraviolent Japanese cult movie came before Hunger Games.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 17+?

Any Positive Content?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 8 parent reviews

 

 

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age 15+

Based on 39 kid reviews

Kids say that this film, while exceptionally well-made and engaging, is extremely violent and disturbing, often compared to "The Hunger Games" but described as darker and more graphic. Many appreciate its complex characters and thought-provoking themes, but caution that it is only suitable for mature audiences due to its intense and graphic depictions of violence and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.violence and goremature themescomplex characterssimilar to hunger gamesunsettling yet engaging
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What's the Story?

In an alternate universe, the Japanese government seeks to control the country's youth with the annual "Battle Royale" tournament. A class of 50 ninth graders, hijacked during a class trip, are chosen for the games. They are fitted with explosive collars that also track their movements. Set loose upon an island, they are required to kill their classmates before time runs out; the survivor gets to go home alive. If they try to cheat, their collars will explode. They are given survival packs and weapons, which range from guns to a pot lid. As the game drags on, the number of survivors dwindles, but those that are left do not give up hope: there may be a last-ditch, desperate plan to save themselves.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 8 ):
Kids say ( 39 ):

Battle Royale was the final film by the Japanese exploitation master Kinji Fukasaku, who was 70 at the time, and he clearly put everything he had into it. Despite the 122-minute running time, it's exquisitely paced and balanced, varying periods of rest and hope with periods of shock and violence. The huge cast of teens -- including future Kill Bill star Chiaki Kuriyama -- is handled well. Characters unexpectedly reveal new sides of their personalities, i.e. sudden courage or cowardice.

Fukasaku plays the movie for bloody thrills while keeping the sinister message in the background. Viewers will likely find themselves thinking about the movie long afterward, as it grows richer. The final masterstroke is the casting of filmmaker/performer Takeshi Kitano (who acts under a stage name, "Beat" Takeshi), as the former teacher and current ringmaster. He brings a very dark, deadpan humor to his role, as well a quiet thoughtfulness, turning him into one of the great tragic movie villains.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's extreme violence. How does the movie use it, and what is the effect? Does it make you cheer or squirm? Or both? Could the same story be told with less violence?

Movie Details

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