• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.

• Is it any good?

  3.0

• Common Sense says

  Gritty, affecting rapper biopic is too intense for kids.

Why We Rated This for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

• Messages:

   Men cheat on their significant others and sometimes disrespect them. Characters speak of and engage in physically abusive behavior, and there's also drug use, drinking, and family abandonment. But there's redemption, too, and a few friends seem refreshingly loyal against a backdrop of betrayal and deceit. The film also includes the still-unsolved murders of Biggie and Tupac.
• Role models :

  A son defies his mother by lying to her -- apparently he's been dealing drugs; she puts him out on the streets, and he later lands in prison. But his talent and commitment to his music see him through, despite complicated entanglements.
• Violence:

  A man roughs up the women he loves during arguments; rivals beat each other up or worse. Guns are shown, shots are fired, and two men wind up dead.
• Sex:

  Some nudity during sex scenes -- including a woman sitting naked astride a man naked, her breasts fully bared. The same woman performs scantily clad onscreen and grabs her crotch. Some graphic discussion of sex acts.
• Language:

  Frequent, colorful swearing -- from "bitch" to "s--t" and "f--k."
• Consumerism:

  A fair amount of name dropping and label flashing (sneakers and clothing, for example), and lots of bling.
  
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Dealers -- some of whom are children -- are shown mixing and trafficking drugs (mostly crack); some characters (including a pregnant woman) are depicted buying/using it. Some smoking and plenty of drinking (champagne and everything else).

What Parents Need to Know

About Notorious

Families Can Talk About