Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Parents' Guide to

Natural Born Killers

By David Gurney, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Bloody, violent, sexually explicit. Mature teens+.

Movie R 1994 118 minutes
Natural Born Killers Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 17+

Based on 12 parent reviews

rtgfc T.
rtgfc T. Adult
August 7, 2023
age 16+

This title has:

Too much violence
jcmcdowell
jcmcdowell Adult
August 6, 2021
age 18+

Very well-made, but EXTREMELY violent!

This film is very well-made, but it is probably the most violent movie I have ever seen. There isn’t even one scene that is free of violence and peril, and this movie serves as a representation of some of the most unthinkable and unspeakable violence imaginable. I have never seen a movie like it before, and it is one of those movies where when you see it once, you can’t see it again, at least not for a long time. It is also has strong sexual content, and the language is very strong all throughout the film. It is like “American Psycho”, where it is so chilling, that it is scary, and you wonder how there are people in this world who can be that sick. I appreciate the way the film was made, and how it involved the media so much, but I did not like it for how gratuitous the violence was. If one were to watch it, it would be a film to watch once, it is too explicit to watch over and over again. Despite the explicit content, it does have a great soundtrack. Well-made, but again, excruciatingly violent! Adults only!

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 12 parent reviews

What's the Story?

NATURAL BORN KILLERS tracks the rise to stardom of a serial killing couple, Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis), as they blaze a trail of destruction across the U.S. and are eventually captured and jailed. The real stars of the film aren't Mickey and Mallory, but rather, the many aspects of the news and entertainment media that are regurgitated and lampooned throughout the film. Wayne Gale (Robert Downey, Jr.) is an overzealous TV reporter caught up in the frenzy of pursuing the couple.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (12 ):
Kids say (16 ):

With the focus of the film being on the media reaction to Mickey and Mallory's crimes, the plot mechanics don't really demand much viewer attention. In a sense, the most important single character is Gale, whose obliviousness to the effects of his news reports on an increasingly sadistic audience acts as a model for the media machine Stone criticizes. Ultimately, this film is a satire with no soft edges or rays of hope. Those unwilling to see the film as a criticism of media violence may misinterpret it as an exaggerated celebration of the violent main characters. As such, this is a film that will only satisfy those already inclined towards negative views of the media, and only the most open-minded of those folks at that.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's message. The film was intended to criticize the media for glorifying violence. Is it successful? Would you have gone about it differently?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: August 26, 1994
  • On DVD or streaming: August 25, 2008
  • Cast: Juliette Lewis , Robert Downey Jr. , Woody Harrelson
  • Director: Oliver Stone
  • Inclusion Information: Female actors
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 118 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: extreme violence and graphic carnage, for shocking images, and for strong language and sexuality
  • Last updated: July 14, 2023

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate