Common Sense Media Review
Bloody, violent, sexually explicit. Mature teens+.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
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Natural Born Killers
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a favorite among some, lauded for its clever satire and social commentary, but many universally warn against letting children watch it due to its graphic violence, explicit language, and sexual content. While some appreciate its thought-provoking nature and consider it a classic, others find it incomprehensible and overly shocking, fearing it might influence younger audiences to misinterpret the message behind the violence.
- graphic violence
- inappropriate for kids
- clever satire
- thought-provoking message
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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?
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 Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : extreme violence and graphic carnage, for shocking images, and for strong language and sexuality
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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