Wondering if Sound of Freedom is ok for kids and teens? This powerful film about sex trafficking may be too intense for kids and is hard to watch. Here’s what parents need to know in this Sound of Freedom Parents Guide.
Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sound of Freedom Parents Guide
Sound of Freedom is based on a true story. After rescuing a young boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent, Tim Ballard (Jim Caviezel) learns the boy’s sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the jungle of Colombia, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death.
Age Rating: Why is Sound of Freedom Rated PG-13?
Sound of Freedom is Rated PG-13 for sexual references, violence, sex trafficking, language, and smoking which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 13.
Language in Sound of Freedom
There is profanity including sh*t, a**, a**hole, damn, and words of Deity.
Violence: Is Sound of Freedom Too Scary for Kids?
Yes, Sound of Freedom may be too scary for kids and is for more mature audiences. Graphic imagery of kids being kidnapped, people shot and killed, and children being trafficked are intense and emotional.
Children are seen on beds while men come in with the intent to rape them. The rape is not seen on screen. A man begins to unbuckle his pants. Children are taken from their parents. There are fight scenes and use of weapons. Guns are pulled on characters. There is a photo of a man laying in blood.
The film can be difficult for adults to watch and due to sex trafficking themes is not recommended for children.
Mature Content: Is Sound of Freedom OK for Kids?
Characters are seen smoking and drinking alcohol. There are also references to drugs.
Is Sound of Freedom Appropriate for Kids Under 13?
You can expect to see images of children being kidnapped and trafficked, violence, graphic imagery, and profanity used by some of the characters. To sum it up, Sound of Freedom is not kid friendly. While difficult to watch, parents may want to show teens the real dangers of human trafficking.
In a heartbreaking story, Roberto (Jose Zuniga) is a single father who agrees to let his 11-year-old daughter, Rocio (Cristal Aparicio), and her 7-year-old little brother try out for a musical competition show. Everything seems on the up and up and he drops off the kids to compete with other children. When he returns hours later, he finds nobody there and the place is abandoned. They have been taken.
Agent Ballard is able to save the boy, but he learns his sister is still trapped in this child trafficking ring. He has to save her, because she is a child of God. While Sound of Freedom does have some Christian and political themes, at the heart of the film is bringing awareness to the horror of trafficking within the United States and other countries.
This film has become controversial. We recommend doing your research on the film, the organization, and even on trafficking.
Some of the acting is overdramatic, and some of the messages can be manipulative. But human trafficking is real and hopefully Sound of Freedom will inspire us to take action.