Parents' Guide to

Mudbound

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Masterful drama set in 1940s South has brutality, racism.

Movie R 2017 134 minutes
Mudbound Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 14+

Based on 4 parent reviews

CharlotteG75
CharlotteG75 Adult
October 5, 2019
age 16+

Extremely upsetting

Based on another review on here I watched this with my 16, 13 and 8 year olds. There is an intensely violent scene at the end of the film which completely traumatised all but the 16 year old. Don’t be reassured by reviews saying the violence isn’t very graphic: first of all, it IS graphic, and anything not seen on screen is possibly even more intense for the implied extreme and inhumane violence on a gentle character they had been following on screen for the previous 2 hours. Definitely not for children.

This title has:

Too much violence
christinadrones
christinadrones Adult
July 19, 2018
age 9+

Good movie

This movie is fine for younger children to watch as long as you are there to explain certain parts. It is a fairly mild look at the l atrocities people of color endured during this time frame. There is an excellent message in that it is ok to have faith and trust in others despite what society thinks

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Two Mississippi families, one white, one black, live through and after World War II, facing poverty and racism in MUDBOUND. The McAllans, headed by Henry (Jason Clarke), and the Jacksons, headed by Hap (Rob Morgan), are neighbors, each with a returning veteran in their midst, but they are not friends. Still, they find themselves dependent upon one another as they face the cruel challenges of the times. The Jacksons are tenant farmers on the McAllan land, which is pummeled by storms and constant flooding, in a town that still harbors profound segregation and prejudice. After a scary siege of illness, the two women -- Laura McAllan (Carey Mulligan) and Florence Jackson (Mary J. Blige) -- quickly realize how desperately they need each other. The two young vets, Jamie McAllan (Garrett Hedlund) and Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell), are forced to hide an important friendship, finding solace with each other as they navigate their return to Mississippi after eye-opening and profound experiences overseas. Tensions between the families, heightened by the presence of the relentlessly racist McAllan grandfather (Jonathan Banks) and Jamie's increasing PTSD, lead to a climax that allows the deep-seated hatred of generations to threaten any hope of true community and racial tranquility.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (1):

Expansive, relevant themes are intimately explored with superb performances and restrained direction in this stirring period drama. Staying with author Hillary Jordan's multiple narrators in Mudbound, director/co-writer Dee Rees, young, passionate, and very talented, has found an ideal vehicle for this story. The movie focuses on race, class, gender, and the human costs paid for divisiveness. Production is outstanding, with special kudos for cinematography, music, and art direction. With the exception of an irredeemable racist grandfather, the central characters are richly complex. While there are elements that may be familiar to audiences, they are never predictable. And given the awful, heartbreaking events that transpire, the film even offers hope. A highly recommended movie, especially for families with mature teens. It illuminates a difficult historical moment and gives context to an ongoing American racial divide.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the racial issues depicted in Mudbound. Do you think there's still blatant discrimination? What do you see as a possible remedy? How can today's kids help effect change?

  • Do you think the disturbing violence helps audiences more fully comprehend the African-American experience? Why or why not?

  • If you have seen other films about racism and racists, how does this movie differ? Other than time, what, if anything, separates the attitudes of the 1940s from earlier American history?

  • In movie or theatrical terms, what is an "ensemble piece"? How does it differ from other movies? What are some of your favorite ensemble films?

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