Jungleland

Common Sense says
- R
- 2020
- 90 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
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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 Jungleland is brutal drama about bare-knuckle boxing that contains bloody violence and strong language throughout. Brothers Stanley (Charlie Hunnam) and Lion Kaminski (Jack O'Connell) travel across country so Lion can participate in a no-holds-barred boxing match. Along the way they must deliver Sky (Jessica Barden) to a much-feared gangster. The fight scenes are graphic with punches to the head and body causing much bloodshed. The injuries sustained by Lion include cuts and bruises to the face. Guns are also used on occasion, with characters being shot in the gut and head. A knife is also slammed into someone's thigh. There is strong language throughout including use of "f--k," "motherf----r," and "s--t," as well as sexual language such as "blow job." There are two brief sex scenes, neither of which feature much nudity. Two characters do jump in a pool naked, but the scene is filmed at such a distance that little is seen. A character has their drink spiked by Xanax causing them to pass out on the floor. Stanley smokes on several occasions and he is also shown to be motivated by money and material goods. He also steals and cheats. However, both Stanley and Lion show loyalty toward each other, and Sky too shows a caring side.
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What's the story?
JUNGLELAND finds brothers Stanley (Charlie Hunnam) and Lion Kaminski (Jack O'Connell) with no money and no place to live. When they are given an opportunity for Lion to fight in a bare-knuckle boxing match with large prize money on offer, they make the journey across country to take part in the fight. However, there's a catch. They must deliver a young woman to a feared gangster on the way.
Is it any good?
Jungleland treads such a tried and tested path that ultimately it suffers from being too predictable. From the two underdog blue-collar siblings looking for a final payday, to the gangsters whose pocket they're in, there's nothing we haven't seen before. Yet despite the familiarity, the story -- which essentially takes the form of a road trip -- remains gripping, even if you're fairly sure you know where the final destination will be.
The film is also helped by strong performances across the board from three British actors, who not only manage to nail their U.S. accents, but also provide layered performances that give the film some much needed depth. O'Connell gives a subdued performance as Lion, a man who is also capable of brutal violence. In contrast, Hunnam's Stanley is the animated, happy-go-lucky older brother, whose reckless behavior gets them into increasingly dangerous situations. This includes being forced to ferry the sharp tongued, yet deeply sympathetic Sky -- brilliantly played by Jessica Barden -- from one gangster to another. Get past the cliched storytelling and you'll find a hard-punching -- if not knockout -- drama.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the violence in Jungleland. Did it seem realistic to you? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Talk about the strong language in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How would you describe the relationship between Stanley and Lion? Did they seem close? Talk about your own relationships with your brothers or sisters. What do you think makes a good sibling relationship?
Movie details
- In theaters: November 6, 2020
- On DVD or streaming: January 12, 2021
- Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Jonathan Majors, Jessica Barden
- Director: Max Winkler
- Studios: Paramount Pictures, Vertical Entertainment
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: pervasive language, some sexual content, violence and nudity
- Last updated: January 12, 2021
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