Wondering if The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is ok for kids? Rated R for language, violence, and racism, The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is extremely hard to watch, but powerful and a must-watch to open up dialogue amongst teens and families. Here’s what parents need to know in this The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Parents Guide.
The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Parents Guide
The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain tells the true story of the final hours of the life of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., an elderly African-American veteran with bipolar disorder, who was killed during a conflict with police officers who were sent to his home to check on him, when his medical alert device was mistakenly activated. At approximately 5:30 a.m., Kenneth accidentally triggered his LifeAid device and when he didn’t wake up to the return call, police were dispatched to his home. Despite Chamberlain informing the officers there was a mistake and he did not have an emergency, he was dead by 7:00 a.m.
The film shows the events of that final hour and how a welfare check escalated so quickly. Officers were recorded taunting Mr. Chamberlain, ridiculing his military service, yelling racial slurs at him, and finally, the officers broke his door down and shot him to death.
What is The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Rated?
The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is unrated but would be rated R for language and violence which may not be suitable for kids under 17.
Language
There is some heavy language including many uses of fu*k, fu*ker, a**, sh*t, hell, and ni**er.
Mature Content
There are many triggers in this film watching excessive police force against an elderly black man. Officers yell profanity at Mr. Chamberlain, mistreat the neighbors, make fun of their homes, yell racial slurs, slam a man on the ground, and later shoot him.
Officers repeatedly try to break down the door with axes. A knife is shown through a door.
Family members and neighbors are seen in distress.
Also mental health is addressed as Mr. Chamberlain is discussed as being emotionally disturbed.
Is The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Appropriate for Kids Under 17?
The subject material in this film is heavy and emotionally draining; however so is the news. I don’t recommend it for kids, because it is such a harrowing film. But teens who may be ready to have the conversation should watch it. We need to talk to our children about hard subjects.
It’ll be interesting to see how people react on both sides of the coin. Those who “Back the Blue” may say Kenneth should have just complied with officers. Those who say “Black Lives Matter” will argue how can anyone defend what happened to Mr. Chamberlain? They were supposed to do a welfare check.
As you watch the film, do a self-check on your reactions and check on your kids or family members. What were their first thoughts? Did they change at the end of the film?
I had never considered myself a racist until I read the book Just Mercy. I had to reevaluate my predispositions, my reactions, and reflect on who I was and what I truly believed. That book changed me. And I was excited when Just Mercy, the film came out, and thought maybe it would change people, too. And yet, sometimes it feels like things haven’t changed.
The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is one of these life-changing films.
Frankie Faison, as Kenneth Chamberlain, is incredible, invoking empathy and demonstrating the mixture of confusion and fear with such honesty. Throughout the film, I kept asking myself how did it go this far? With some, you see ego. Others, power hungry. But unfortunately, nobody stepped in to say enough was enough before it became deadly.
You get two points of view during the film – the view of the chaos going on outside of Chamberlain’s apartment, and the view inside the apartment as Kenneth is confused, talking to the LifeAid worker, pleading for the police to leave. It’s as if everything happens in slow motion. You know how it’s going to end, but you just keep hoping and praying that it won’t end that way.
