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Parents' Guide to

Rebel Dykes

By Kat Halstead, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Lively LGBTQ+ docu has strong sex references, language.

Movie NR 2021 89 minutes
Rebel Dykes movie poster

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Rebel Dykes: Black and white image of five women in leather and denim walking down a London street.
  • Rebel Dykes: Animated figure walks past graffiti on a bridge that reads "women say no to male violence".
  • Rebel Dykes: A group of women sit together during a debate.

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What's the Story?

In REBEL DYKES, interviews and archive footage explore a movement of young lesbians in post-punk 1980s London. Combining activism and hedonism to challenge the representation of gay women, both within the community and beyond, the movement played an important role in LGBTQ+ history, paving the way for future generations.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

It's rare that a documentary really captures the raw energy of its subjects. But Rebel Dykes does all that and more in this fun, boisterous, gritty, sexy, political, and undeniably enjoyable film. Archive footage captures chaotic club nights, heated debate, and bold activism, while present-day interviews recall moments of friendships, love, and freedom.

The Rebel Dykes look back at their movement, telling stories of storming the House of Commons and disrupting the BBC News, as though sharing them with old friends over dinner. The accompanying animation gives the film a fanzine feel, drawing the audience ever closer into the folds of a previously overlooked moment in LGBTQ+ history. A movement that continues to influence the U.K. landscape today.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Rebel Dykes portrayed sex. Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

  • How was the LGBTQ+ community treated in the documentary? What impact did they have in society both then and today? How did they show courage and teamwork?

  • Talk about the strong language used. What impact did it have on the film?

  • The documentary used a lot of archive footage. How important was this in the portrayal of the movement and era, compared to documentaries that rely more heavily on reconstructions?

  • How did the film explore the interactions between politics, feminism, and sexual liberation? In what ways were these seen to influence each other?

Movie Details

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.

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