Parents' Guide to Man on Fire

Parents need to know that Man on Fire is a 2004 Tony Scott film about Creasy (Denzel Washington), a down-on-his-luck former-operative-turned-bodyguard who's pulled back into action and embarks on a revenge killing spree. It's based on the 1980 novel by Philip Nicholson and has a same-named TV adaptation. The film glorifies violence, as Creasy tortures for information (cutting off and shooting off fingers), kills with execution-style gunshots, puts a bomb into someone's rectum (off-screen) and detonates it, and blows up multiple cars and buildings. There's an implied death by gun suicide with a dead body shown, blood leaking down the victim's temple. Characters get shot and die, with occasional blood spatter. A child screams as she's ripped away and kidnapped; she's presumed dead for much of the film. Several characters smoke cigarettes and cigars and drink alcohol. The main character calls himself "a drunk" and carries a flask, taking frequent swigs. Expect occasional uses of words such as "f--k," "s--t," "ass," and "goddamn" and a couple of sexual moments, including a woman undressing down to her bra and underwear, straddling her husband, and kissing him. Men in nonsexual scenes are stripped down to their briefs or boxers. Though the film has a Black lead, Mexico is stereotypically portrayed as corrupt and dangerous, and Mexican supporting characters are either criminals or honest but victimized. Women have key roles, but they're all powerless and need Creasy's help. Though the film focuses on violent action thrills, it's underpinned with spiritual themes: Creasy recites Bible verses, calls himself "the sheep that got lost," and wears a pendant of St. Jude, who's described to him as the patron saint of lost causes. Lots of flashing lights and imagery might affect photosensitive viewers.

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