The Wolf of Wall Street

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
The Wolf of Wall Street Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Intoxicating rise-and-fall story is full of sex and drugs.

R 2013 180 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 87 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 178 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the true story of a financial broker who bent the rules, became enormously wealthy, and was not caught for years. He lives a life of debauchery and excess, cheating on his wife, remarrying, and cheating on his new wife with an endless array of prostitutes. Many characters are shown having graphic sex of all types. The main character uses every kind of drug under the sun, but especially prefers Quaaludes; the movie spends extra time on the effects of this drug. A secondary character is also a heavy drug user. Language is very strong and constant, with "f--k" uttered nearly constantly, as well as almost every other vulgar word in the book. As for violence, there's mostly enraged shouting, but there's a bloody face-bashing scene, some domestic violence where a wife gets punched a couple of times, and a quick shot of a (very tangential) bloody suicide. The legendary Martin Scorsese's the director, and most movie buffs will want to see this, but as with GoodFellas and Casino, this one's not recommended for kids of any age.

Community Reviews

jDoe123
jDoe123 Adult
May 15, 2022
age 16+
Great for masturbating, but not for kids AT ALL!

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
jcmcdowell
jcmcdowell Adult
May 5, 2022
age 18+

Excellent and thought-provoking, but not for kids!

This film is very well-made, thought-provoking and intoxicating, but it is for adults only. It is about a former stock broker who is corrupt and isn’t arrested for years, so he spent years of his life making millions and then spending it really fast. There are some fights and car crashes when it comes to violence, as well as a really bad drug overdose, which results in a car being crashed and badly damaged. There is also plenty of drinking and smoking throughout the film. There is also very graphic sex, as well as sex talk and references. In my opinion, they should have toned down the sex a little more. It was very extensively and graphically used. There are also references to adultery with the movie beginning with the main character being married, then he cheats on his wife, divorces and remarries, and then cheats on his new wife. This is also one of the most sweary movies ever made, with 500+ uses of the f-word and much, much more, probably covering every expletive in the book, so expect nonstop, constant cursing. Despite all of this dirty content, there are some positive messages, like a change of character in Jordan Belfort when he helps the government and the FBI track down and arrest the other corrupt brokers to be charged. Because of this, Belfort got three years in federal prison instead of the decades he was initially facing. Another positive message is that you should appreciate money for what it is and not to take it for granted. With all this to say, this is a great, well-made film, but it is not for kids.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 87 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) starts his thrilling new job as a Wall Street broker on Monday, Oct. 19, 1987, when one of the biggest market crashes in history occurred. After that he's forced to take a job dealing in "penny stocks," trading semi-worthless stocks, but for 50 percent commissions. Teaming up with a neighbor, Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill), he takes this idea and opens his own firm, employing high-pressure sales tactics and shady techniques to earn huge piles of cash. The money comes rolling in, and life becomes fast and exciting. Jordan also turns to alcohol, prostitutes, and drugs (especially cocaine and Quaaludes), as the company grows larger. But how long can this supercharged lifestyle last?

Is It Any Good?

Director Martin Scorsese, assisted by his longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker, keeps up an astoundingly intoxicating pace for nearly three hours. He draws on his previous movies GoodFellas and Casino for the template of THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, packing in many outrageous details behind a criminal organization over an epic running time. A huge cast, including perhaps most memorably Matthew McConaughey, helps out with small, potent performances.

The difference here is that The Wolf of Wall Street may be the funniest movie Scorsese has ever made. Every few minutes it hurls something so shocking and high-spirited that laughter can be the only response. Yet the movie's monstrous energy seems to be fueled by something both exciting and rotten. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a true heavyweight performance, laced with contempt, and he's never truly redeemed. Rather, Scorsese ends his movie on a scene that illustrates the pitfalls of desire, and how it can never be entirely fulfilled.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's extensive use of sex. Does any of it come from a loving, respectful relationship? How do women fare in this movie and in these sexual relationships?

  • How do the characters approach the use of alcohol, smoking, and drugs? Do they seem to get any enjoyment out of them? Does the movie make these things look appealing? What are the real consequences of drinking to excess or smoking or using drugs?

  • What's the appeal of a character with such questionable morals? Martin Scorsese often makes movies about these kinds of characters. Why is he so highly respected and acclaimed?

Movie Details

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