news of the world parents guide

News of the World, a PG-13 Western/Drama, explores themes of redemption and identity. This guide helps parents assess its suitability for children, considering violence, language, and mature themes.

Overview of the Movie

News of the World, set in 1870, follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran turned traveling news reader. He is tasked with transporting Johanna, a twice-orphaned young girl who identifies as Native American, across the dangerous Texas frontier to her surviving relatives. The film explores themes of identity, belonging, and redemption as Kidd and Johanna navigate a treacherous landscape filled with outlaws, harsh weather, and emotional challenges. Their journey fosters an unlikely bond, highlighting the power of human connection and resilience. The movie blends Western action with emotional depth, offering a story of hope and healing in a post-war America. Parents should be aware of mild violence, thematic elements, and some language, making it essential to assess its suitability for younger viewers.

Importance of a Parental Guide

A parental guide is essential for helping families make informed decisions about movie content. News of the World, rated PG-13, contains elements that may require parental discretion. While the film is considered one of the cleaner PG-13 movies, it still includes mild violence, thematic material, and some language. Parents need to assess whether these elements are appropriate for their children, especially younger or sensitive viewers. Understanding the movie’s content helps parents decide if it aligns with their family’s values and standards. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of violence, language, and thematic elements, enabling parents to make thoughtful choices about whether their children should watch the film and whether supervision or discussion is necessary.

Movie Overview

News of the World is a Western/Drama about a former soldier turned newsman tasked with transporting a twice-orphaned girl across the dangerous West to her relatives, exploring themes of redemption and identity.

Genre and Setting

News of the World is a Western/Drama set in post-Civil War America, specifically in Texas during the 1870s. The film follows a former soldier turned traveling newsman who journeys across the dangerous and lawless frontier. The setting is rich with historical context, showcasing the challenges of the Wild West, including hostile environments, sparse settlements, and the struggles of rebuilding society. The genre blends elements of adventure, drama, and redemption, offering a compelling narrative about human resilience and connection. Parents should be aware of the historical violence and mature themes inherent in the Western genre, which may require discussion with younger viewers. The film’s setting and genre provide a backdrop for exploring complex emotions and moral dilemmas, making it a thought-provoking experience for audiences.

Plot Summary

News of the World follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a former soldier turned traveling newsman, who reads newspaper stories to townspeople across Texas in the 1870s. During his journey, Kidd encounters a young girl named Johanna, who has been orphaned twice and identifies as Native American. Tasked with delivering her to her distant relatives, Kidd embarks on a perilous trek across the American West. Along the way, they face numerous dangers, including hostile environments, violent confrontations, and emotional challenges. As they navigate their journey, Kidd and Johanna form a bond, learning to trust and understand each other. The film explores themes of redemption, identity, and human connection, set against the backdrop of a post-Civil War America. Parents should be aware of the mature themes and occasional violence, which are central to the story but handled with restraint.

Main Characters and Roles

The film centers around Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who now travels across Texas as a newsman, sharing stories from around the world with local townspeople. Played by Tom Hanks, Kidd is a man of integrity and kindness, who takes on the responsibility of transporting a young girl named Johanna, portrayed by Helena Zengel. Johanna, a twice-orphaned child who identifies as Native American, is being taken to her distant relatives. Their journey is marked by mutual learning and growth, as Kidd teaches Johanna about the world beyond her experiences, while she challenges his emotional barriers. Supporting characters include various townspeople and antagonists they encounter, adding depth to the story. The dynamic between Kidd and Johanna is central to the film, highlighting themes of trust, understanding, and redemption.

PG-13 Rating Explanation

News of the World is rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, thematic material, and some language. While it is one of the cleaner PG-13 films, parental discretion is advised.

Reasons for the PG-13 Rating

News of the World is rated PG-13 primarily due to its depiction of violence, including Western-style shootouts and fistfights, which, while not overly graphic, still contain moments of intensity. The film also contains disturbing images and thematic material that may be unsettling for younger audiences. Additionally, there is some mild profanity and inappropriate language scattered throughout the dialogue. While the movie is considered one of the cleaner PG-13 films in recent years, these elements warrant parental discretion. The rating reflects the need for guidance, especially for sensitive or younger viewers, to ensure they can process the content appropriately.

MPAA Guidelines

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rated News of the World PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, thematic material, and some language. According to MPAA guidelines, a PG-13 rating indicates that the film may be inappropriate for children under 13 due to its content. This rating reflects the presence of elements such as Western-style violence, including shootouts and fistfights, as well as thematic themes that could be unsettling for younger audiences. While the film avoids explicit nudity, sex, or graphic gore, the inclusion of mild profanity and intense scenes aligns with the PG-13 criteria. Parents are advised to use discretion, as the rating suggests that the content may require guidance for younger or sensitive viewers to ensure they can process the material appropriately.

Thematic Elements

News of the World explores powerful themes of redemption, identity, and moral lessons, offering depth and emotional resonance suitable for mature discussions about life’s complexities and human connection.

Themes of Redemption

News of the World delves into themes of redemption, as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a former soldier, finds purpose in delivering the news and later in protecting Johanna. His journey symbolizes personal redemption, as he confronts his past and seeks forgiveness. The film highlights how acts of kindness and responsibility can lead to healing and transformation. Johanna, too, grapples with her identity, seeking belonging in a world that has taken much from her. Together, their bond underscores the power of human connection in overcoming adversity. The story emphasizes that redemption is not just individual but also relational, offering hope and resilience in the face of loss and hardship. These themes provide a rich foundation for discussions about personal growth and the importance of empathy.

Identity and Belonging

News of the World explores themes of identity and belonging through its characters’ journeys. Captain Kidd, a Civil War veteran, finds purpose in sharing news, while Johanna, a twice-orphaned girl, struggles with her cultural identity. Raised by Native Americans, she views herself as one of them, despite being of European descent. Her journey with Kidd highlights her search for belonging and acceptance. The film portrays how societal expectations and personal experiences shape identity, offering a nuanced look at self-discovery. These themes encourage reflection on how individuals find their place in the world and the importance of understanding one’s roots. The story underscores the challenges of navigating multiple identities and the resilience required to find where one truly belongs.

Moral Lessons and Values

News of the World offers several moral lessons and values that are essential for young viewers. The film emphasizes the importance of kindness, responsibility, and integrity through Captain Kidd’s journey. His dedication to delivering news, despite personal risks, highlights commitment and duty. The bond between Kidd and Johanna teaches empathy and understanding, as they learn to trust and care for each other. The story also explores themes of forgiveness and redemption, showing how individuals can overcome past mistakes. These values are portrayed subtly, making the film a meaningful watch for families. Parents can use the movie to discuss the significance of human connection, honesty, and resilience in overcoming adversity. The film’s moral framework provides a positive foundation for conversations about ethical behavior and compassion.

Violence in the Movie

News of the World features Western violence, including shootings with minimal blood and fistfights. While not overly graphic, the film includes tense moments and perilous situations.

Western Violence Scenes

News of the World includes Western-style violence, such as shootings and fistfights, though these scenes are not overly graphic. The film depicts perilous situations and tense confrontations, reflecting the harshness of the frontier. While the violence is integral to the story, it is balanced with emotional depth and character development. Parents should be aware of these scenes, as they may be unsettling for younger or sensitive viewers. The PG-13 rating reflects the presence of such content, though it is not excessively brutal or gory. The violence serves the narrative, emphasizing themes of survival and redemption in a challenging world.

• Shootings with minimal bloodshed.



• Fistfights and physical altercations.
• Tense confrontations and perilous situations.

Fistfights and Physical Altercations

News of the World features fistfights and physical confrontations that, while not excessively graphic, contribute to the film’s PG-13 rating. These scenes are integral to the story, often arising from tense situations or character conflicts. For instance, the protagonist engages in a barroom brawl, and there are moments of hand-to-hand combat during tense encounters. The violence is realistic but not overly brutal, with minimal bloodshed. Parents should be aware that these scenes may be intense for younger viewers, though they are balanced with the film’s emotional and thematic depth. The physical altercations highlight the harshness of the frontier setting and the characters’ struggles, adding to the narrative’s authenticity without glorifying violence.

• Fistfights occur in tense or confrontational situations.
• Physical altercations are realistic but not excessively graphic.
• These scenes contribute to the PG-13 rating but are balanced with emotional depth.

Impact of Violence on Young Viewers

While the violence in News of the World is not overly graphic, it may still impact young viewers due to its realistic portrayal of frontier life. Scenes involving gunfights, fistfights, and perilous situations could be unsettling for sensitive children. Parents should consider their child’s maturity level, as exposure to such content may provoke anxiety or fear. However, the film avoids glorifying violence, instead using it to highlight the harsh realities of the era and the characters’ resilience. This context can spark meaningful conversations about the consequences of violence and the importance of empathy. Ultimately, parental discretion is advised to ensure young viewers can process these scenes appropriately.

• Violence may unsettle sensitive or younger children.
• Scenes depict realistic frontier challenges without glorification.
• Parents should assess their child’s maturity and sensitivity.

Language and Dialogue

News of the World contains mild profanity and some inappropriate language, though not excessive. Parents should be aware of occasional swear words that may require discussion with younger viewers.

Use of Profanity

The film contains mild profanity, with occasional swear words scattered throughout the dialogue. While not excessive, these instances may still require parental discretion, especially for younger or sensitive viewers. The language is not overly graphic or frequent, but it does appear in moments of tension or emotional intensity. Parents should be aware of these scenes to decide if they align with their child’s sensitivity levels. The profanity is not central to the story but does reflect the characters’ realistic interactions in a historical Western setting. Overall, the film strikes a balance by keeping the language relatively clean compared to many other PG-13 movies, making it more accessible to a broader audience while maintaining authenticity.

Inappropriate Language

The film includes some inappropriate language, though it is not overly pervasive. A few swear words and mild profanity are present, particularly in moments of tension or emotional conflict. While the language is not gratuitous, it may still be of concern for younger or more sensitive viewers. Parents should be aware that these instances, while limited, could require a conversation with their children about appropriate speech. The dialogue reflects the gritty realism of the Western setting but avoids crossing into excessively vulgar territory. Overall, the film maintains a relatively clean script compared to many PG-13 movies, but the occasional use of inappropriate language warrants parental discretion, especially for younger audiences.

Language Suitability for Children

The language in News of the World is generally mild but may include a few instances of profanity and inappropriate words. While the film avoids excessive vulgarity, the occasional use of swear words and rough dialogue could be concerning for younger or sensitive children. Parents should consider their child’s maturity level before allowing them to watch, as the language reflects the gritty nature of the Western setting. However, compared to many PG-13 films, the language is relatively restrained, making it more accessible for older children and teens. Ultimately, parental discretion is advised to ensure the content aligns with their child’s values and sensitivity levels.

Suitability for Different Age Groups

News of the World is rated PG-13, making it suitable for teens and older children with parental guidance. Younger kids may find some scenes disturbing due to violence and mature themes.

Recommendations for Younger Children

While News of the World is rated PG-13, it may not be suitable for very young children due to mild violence, disturbing images, and mature themes. Parents should use discretion, as scenes involving gunfights and peril could upset sensitive younger viewers. The film’s emotional depth and complex storyline may also be challenging for younger children to fully understand or process. However, with proper guidance, mature younger audiences may benefit from its themes of redemption and resilience. It is recommended for children aged 10 and above, depending on their sensitivity and maturity level. Parental supervision is advised to help contextually explain certain scenes and themes.

Teenagers and Mature Themes

News of the World deals with mature themes such as loss, identity, and redemption, which can resonate with teenagers. The film’s emotional depth and moral lessons provide opportunities for meaningful discussions. While the violence and disturbing images are not overly graphic, they may still impact sensitive viewers. Teenagers can benefit from the movie’s themes of resilience and hope, as well as its portrayal of human connection. However, parental guidance is recommended to help navigate the film’s heavier topics. The PG-13 rating suggests caution for younger teens, but mature adolescents are likely to appreciate the story’s complexity and positive messages. Overall, it’s a suitable choice for teenagers who can handle thematic maturity and are guided by parental oversight.

Guidance for Sensitive Viewers

News of the World contains scenes that may disturb sensitive viewers, including Western violence, fistfights, and disturbing images. While the gore is mild, the emotional weight of themes like loss and redemption could affect some audiences. Parents should preview the film to assess its suitability for sensitive children. Discussions after viewing can help younger audiences process the content. The movie’s positive messages and moral lessons outweigh its mature elements, but guidance is recommended to ensure younger viewers understand and cope with the film’s intensity. For sensitive viewers, especially children, parental discretion and open communication are key to a meaningful and appropriate viewing experience.

Positive Messages and Role Models

News of the World highlights resilience, kindness, and the power of human connection. The protagonist’s journey embodies redemption, showcasing a strong moral compass and empathy for others.