Wondering if King Richard is ok for kids? King Richard is rated PG-13 for language, violence, and drug references. This biopic on the story of the Williams family will motivate young sports enthusiasts, but is it kid friendly? Some scenes may too much for young viewers and is an unconventional sports film. Here’s what parents need to know in this King Richard Parents Guide.
King Richard Parents Guide
Richard Williams (Will Smith) has big plans for his daughters, Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton), a 78-page plan in fact. Although the tattered Compton cement courts are a stark contrast to the country club courts, the determination and commitment by the whole family push them to the next level to create two of the world’s greatest sports legends. They are faced with adversity, discrimination, and other obstacles.
What is King Richard Rated?
King Richard is rated PG-13 for Brief Drug References, a Sexual Reference, Some Violence, and Strong Language according to the MPAA which means it may not be suitable for kids under 13.
Language
There is some language including uses of sh*t, damn, a**, and hell. There are also words of Deity and racial slurs.
Mature Content
There are drug references to marijuana, heroin, and smoking blunts.
A man tells another that he will “gang-rape” his daughter.
A character is shot and murdered. A man is beaten severely and a pool of blood is shown.
There are many instances of racism, scenes shown of families being looked down up because they’re black, there is also gang violence.
Is King Richard Appropriate for Kids Under 13?
King Richard has some heavy material which may not be appropriate for kids under 13, and frankly, young kids would be bored. While inspirational, it also isn’t the feel-good sports movie formula.
Will Smith is at his best while portraying Richard and his tenacity. Richard is certainly not perfect and makes many mistakes and draws criticism from many angles. Obviously Serena and Venus put in the work for their athletic success, but some of that success can be attributed to their father, love him or hate him.
While King Richard may not be this year’s holiday family movie, it is a compelling biopic that speaks to the resilience of those willing to have the dreams to make it to the top.
