Wondering if The Trial of The Chicago 7 is ok for teens? Rated R for strong language, bloody images, violence, and drug use, this movie is full of heavy content for kids. A warning: some kids and teens may be triggered by scenes in this film. Here’s what parents need to know in The Trial of the Chicago 7 Parents Guide.
Trial of the Chicago 7 Parents Guide
In 1969, eight people were charged by the federal government with conspiracy and inciting riots resulting from the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. That number later changed to 7. In this leftist vs. right political trial, we see a group of anti-Vietnam war activists get lumped in together to make a statement, but as the crowd chants, “The whole world is watching,” how will America respond?
Why is The Trial of the Chicago Rated R? There are violent scenes between police and protestors as well as several disturbing scenes. Here’s what parents need to know.
Language
Yes, there’s a lot of profanity and strong language in The Trial of the Chicago 7. In the opening scenes, there were probably at least 10 f-words. Just be aware of language including fu–, mother fu–er, cunt, g-ddamn, bit–, a–, sh–, douchebag, and faggot.
Mature Content
When showing footage of the protestors, police do attack them with wooden clubs and gas. Police also stand ready with guns. You see many bloody heads from being hit with clubs and men thrown through glass windows.
One scene shows angry bystanders yelling at protestors including at a woman and calling her obscenities and telling her to make them a sandwich. Later these same men attack the girl and rip off her shirt.
There is also lots of drug use and reference to weed, sex, and other things happening in the 60s.
The most disturbing scene was when one of the defendants (a black man) was handcuffed and gagged in the courtroom.
Mature topics from the film to discuss with teens include racism, war, bigotry, misogyny, justice, the legal system and more.
Is The Trial of the Chicago 7 Appropriate for Teens Under 16?
This is a film about war, politics, and prejudice; it’s bound to be messy. If your teens are interested in the current political climate or law, then maybe they’d be fine watching this one. I’d recommend Just Mercy instead if they aren’t quite ready for this much mature content.
Both display the injustices of some really terrible people. And while Director Aaron Sorkin does take some creative license with some of the facts, overall he hits the major points. Is it worth the watch for teens? I’m not so sure, especially right now, when mental health may not be at its peak with Covid. This one’s a heavy watch.
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[…] a difference in a misguided way. Parents, I’d skip this one with the teens and watch The Trial of the Chicago 7 (which also stars Baron Cohen) […]