Gods and Monsters

Flashback scenes of wartime combat include shooting, explosions, and numerous dead bodies. Medical scans are shown, and strokes and burst appendix referenced. Brain operations are seen in clips from the Frankenstein movies. A physical altercation involves a character being punched and another trapped in a gas mask and sexually assaulted. Suicidal thoughts are implied and a dead body is seen floating in a pool.

Sexual references and conversations throughout. Sexual intercourse is briefly portrayed in the darkness. Full-frontal male nudity. A character is coerced into removing items of clothing in return for information.

Language includes "f--k," "f--king," and "s--t." Also "bugger," "pr--ks," and "bloody." Homophobic language such as "flaming queens" is also used.

Characters smoke cigarettes and cigars fairly frequently, and alcohol is consumed with meals, at gatherings, and in bars. Prescription pills are taken, with a character considering an overdose at one point.

Parents need to know that Gods and Monsters is an excellent biopic about the final days of Frankenstein director James Whale, and includes strong language, nudity, and predatory sexual behavior. Set in 1950s Hollywood, it focuses on Whale's (Ian McKellen) difficulties with illness and aging, and the attitudes toward homosexuality at the time -- Whale was openly gay. Strong language includes "s--t," "pr--ks," and variants of "f--k," as well as some homophobic slurs. Both World War I and the Korean War are referenced and shooting, explosions, and dead bodies are seen in flashback. There are also references to suicide, and a dead body is seen in a pool. Whale displays predatory sexual behavior. In one scene, he only agrees to be interviewed if the journalist removes a piece of clothing for every question he asks. Later he aggressively tries to grab the genitals of his gardener, Clayton Boone (Brendan Fraser). Characters smoke and drink -- though are not seen intoxicated -- and prescription drugs are also consumed. With adult themes of mortality, trauma, and loneliness, the movie may not be appropriate or enjoyable for a younger audience.

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