I loved this movie! Mature kids will appreciate the great acting and script... nothing really innapropriate per se, just the topic,
Tools for this page
Doubt
-
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 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Stage-to-film religious drama tackles weighty issues.
Themes in this movie include: emotional abuse, honesty
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–18
What to watch out for
-
Role models :
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Doubt
Parents need to know that this brooding, play-based drama isn't for kids. It tackles questions about God, faith, and evil in a way that will most likely be either uninteresting or too complex for young audiences. Though children are in the cast, the movie's themes are mature -- particularly the question of whether or not a priest has abused a child and how doubt about what happened undoes three main characters. Another storyline examines the patriarchal nature of the Catholic church, despite its dependence on the good works of its (female) nuns. Though there's little swearing, violence, or drinking, the movie isn't meant for kids (and isn't particularly likely to interest them, either).
Read our full review by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the movie's messages. What is it saying about religion? The Catholic church in particular?
- Why do Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn clash? Who's right, and who's wrong? And what of doubt? Do you think Father Flynn is guilty or innocent?
- What characteristics do movies based on plays tend to have in common? Do plays always make good movies? Why or why not?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Mature Kids Love It
- I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
Good for older teens, but iffy for younger teens and not for kids
This was a great movie. There was nothing graphic shown or talked about, but the theme of child molestation is for more mature teens. The movie's theme about whether to act on gut feelings versus factual evidence was thought provoking and a good message. It also showed how acting on gut suspicion can lead to consequences effecting other peoples lives. Meryl Streep was awesome as the strict and unemotional nun. I think my 16 yr old daughter will enjoy this and it will be something for her to think about. I don't think my 13 year old son would enjoy it - it's a bit slow for him.
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
not for kids at all, but a great movie
kids may not have an interest to see this movie, although it is a movie with a message, kids may not understand this movie at all, and therefore may get bored. however, people that do understand this movie, will see the greatness of this film. phillip seymour hoffman makes a great priest. some people dont know what there are talking about when they say that he plays a stupid role!
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
GREAT MOVIE
Philip Seymore Hoffman should have won best supporting actor. He is one of the lead roles in this powerful drama about a nun who suspects a priest of melesting (didnt spell it right?) a black student.
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
there is no sexual elements seen but the whole movie is about a priest molesting a child
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Very mature, but fantastic
I have a very mature and philisophical taste, but many teens probably will not appreciate this movie for the masterpiece it is. Absolutely phenomenal acting. Very deep, and really makes you examine yourself, your judgement and what you believe in. Stunning.
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
A fanatastic religious film
This film was my 2nd best for the religious drama catergory. Meryl streep played a good role in this film. Philip Seymour Hoffman played the most stupidest role ive ever seen. He is not the person that shgould have a role as a priest. In Conlusion it is a good film but kick Philip Seymour Hoffman out of any diocese
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
Outstanding Entertainment, but in a dark, dreary form!
Im not saying DOUBT was bad, it was amazing in fact! But it's very cark ang at some points depressing overall, its a fantastic drama with outstanding performances and an entirely complete and compelling story!
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
one word-GREAT!
wow! i watched this just recently, and i have to say, i wasn't that excited to see it. man was i wrong! it was rich and thought provoking, with just a touch of mystery! there is not anytnhing visually innapropriate about it, but the overall storyline is not really ok for kids under 12 or so. a great movie with a phonomonal cast! a must see!
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
Boring for kids...
This is not an inappropriate movie as far as sexual content or violence. However, religion is questioned, so if you're very religious, this isn't the best choice for you or your children. Children wouldn't understand the movie. Even if they did, they would be bored very quickly...
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Very thought provoking
The movie is PG-13 due to thematic elements that younger kids won't understand fully. There is talk about abuse, but not in any real detail. Amazing acting by nearly everyone in the cast. Not for everyone.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
This is a very provoking movie. Nothing is ever explicit. I'm 13, and I'm really glad my parents let me see this movie. The two main things you would worry about is if your child will understand, and many may be disappointed by the unresolved ending.. The only thing I didn't like about this movie is it tried to cover too many things, instead of just focusing on the issue. It was very honest about the goings-on in the catholic churches without pointing fingers. It was amazing. I would advise parents just to think about their child before they let them watch it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
This is a very provoking movie. Nothing is ever explicit. I'm 13, and I'm really glad my parents let me see this movie. The two main things you would worry about is if your child will understand, and many may be disappointed by the unresolved ending.. The only thing I didn't like about this movie is it tried to cover too many things, instead of just focusing on the issue. It was very honest about the goings-on in the catholic churches without pointing fingers. It was amazing. I would advise parents just to think about their child before they let them watch it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Depends on the child...
This is a very provoking movie. Nothing is ever explicit. I'm 13, and I'm really glad my parents let me see this movie. The two main things you would worry about is if your child will understand, and many may be disappointed by the unresolved ending.. The only thing I didn't like about this movie is it tried to cover too many things, instead of just focusing on the issue. It was very honest about the goings-on in the catholic churches without pointing fingers. It was amazing. I would advise parents just to think about their child before they let them watch it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
Not as good as it should have been.
This movie had so my hype that we expected it to be fantastic. At times thought provoking but it simply doesn't live up to the quality of Meryl Streep or Phillip Seymour Hoffman. We were a bit bored.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Some "Doubt" in this movie
Although they all got beat out at the Academy Awards by other talented actors, the acting in this film is flawless, but on the other hand the movie itself is OK. The problem with the movie is that they don't get the young boys' perspective and that is the main plot of the movie about the priest(Phillip Seymour Hoffman) commiting a crime towards the boy. But Streep's terrific acting and supporting cast is worth renting.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Doubt is a unique and highly recommended film
Doubt is a film that I'd recommend to teens or adults for that matter. Children won't be aware of the plot revolving around sexual encounters with a priest and a child. They wouldn't also understand the dialogue occurring in this film since it's highly sophisticated and above age level. I highly recommend "Doubt". For sexual content 1/5, the whole plot revolves around a woman accusing a priest of having sexual encounters with a black student. For violence 0/5, there is none. For profanity 1/5, a child utters the word bullsh*t. For drug content 2/5, characters do smoke but infrequently. For social behavior, a priest is accused of being a pedophile or having sexual relations with a black student. So the priest is definitely not a positive role model. For consumerism, the only advertisement is just of an electric radio, but that was used in the earlier ages, so it's extinct from our generation. I highly recommend this film to teens and adults. While nothing is inappropriate in terms of content, there are numerous discussions of a nun accusing a priest of having sexual relations with it's first black student.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
A Superb and Fascinating Drama!
DOUBT stays with you long after the credits. Knowing that, and that the plot revolves around suspected child abuse, this film won't be appropriate for youngsters. The plot is the only issue in the film, outside of one "s**t". Abuse is mentioned in mild terms (improper "relationships" and "interests" being some). Abuse isn’t shown or graphically mentioned. A woman speaks of her son's "nature", implying he might be homosexual. Other than that, it's a great movie. I took two thirteen-year-olds and thought it was okay, but you might not. It's superb.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Beg to differ
I recently took my two children (11 and 9) to see Doubt and am glad I did. There is nothing troubling in this movie. On the contrary, it gave me the opportunity to talk to them about child abuse in a way that was not frightening. It also opened up the opportunity for a good discussion about the dangers of certainty and the need to doubt yourself and not jump to conclusions. The children were frustrated by the fact that they left the theater not knowing whether the priest had done anything wrong, but that just added to the opportunities for discussion. Yes some children might find the story dull. I don't think any child would find it disturbing. I also think many parents, who feel uncomfortable with the subject of child abuse might find this movie a great way to open up discussion with older children. If you wait until they are 16 it could be too late.
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
Excellent, but Weighty Film
Doubt is one of those movies that haunts you. The whole story is filled with twists and turns and painful moral questions. One minute, you belive the priest, the next, the nun. What is most disturbing, however, is the lack of proof to either side. Parents: the entire movie deals with a questionable relationship between a priest and a child. The heavy moral themes, racism, deep looks into Catholic morality, and complex relationships make it too difficult to understand for anyone under 15 or 16. Most kids won't want to see it anyway.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
