Killers of the Flower Moon Parents Guide

Film legend Martin Scorsese's latest movie Killers of the Flower Moon has been generating plenty of buzz and securing star-studded names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Brendan Fraser. 

The period film depicts the disturbing true story of a string of brutal murders within the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma after oil was discovered on their land. 

With its R rating and promise of violence, many parents are wondering if Killers of the Flower Moon is suitable viewing for their pre-teen and teenage kids.

In this parent's guide, I'll provide an overview of the violent and disturbing content in Killers of the Flower Moon. My goal is to give you the details you need to make an informed decision about whether your child can handle the film's heavy subject matter and graphic scenes.

MPAA Rating Breakdown

Killers of the Flower Moon has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for "violence, some grisly images, and language," according to IMDb. An R rating means those under 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian when viewing the film in theaters.

The R rating signals that the film contains multiple scenes depicting graphic violence, murder and death. There are scenes where murder is not just discussed, but actually shown on screen with blood and other visceral depictions. Several characters also face gruesome deaths throughout the film.

Parents should be prepared for their underage teens to be exposed to disturbing violent content if watching Killers of the Flower Moon. The R rating makes clear there are visual depictions of violence and grisly images that require maturity to handle appropriately.

Violence/Disturbing Scenes

Killers of the Flower Moon has earned its R rating due to multiple scenes depicting graphic violence and disturbing images. While the film does not show constant violence, there are several intense scenes where murders are shown happening on screen. Characters are shot, beaten, and poisoned in visceral ways that some viewers may find very unsettling.

One especially graphic scene shows a man being shot in the head, after which his body is wrapped up and dumped unceremoniously. Blood is shown pooling under his head after the shooting.

In another scene, a woman is murdered execution-style. Overall, the matter-of-fact way brutal killings are depicted can be frightening for younger viewers.

Parents should be advised that while the violence is not constant, when it does appear it is strong and visceral. 

The film does an effective job capturing how disturbing the real murders were, so some scenes could be traumatic for more sensitive pre-teens. Use discretion in allowing them to see these tense moments of on-screen violence.

Appropriate for 12 Year Olds?

Most experts do not recommend Killers of the Flower Moon for 12 year olds. According to Common Sense Media, "This is too slow, violent, and disturbing for middle schoolers." The review goes on to say that the film requires a high level of maturity to handle the very upsetting murders depicted.

The graphic violence includes several shootings with blood splatter as well as scenes of characters being poisoned and dying gruesome deaths. 

There is also a brutal fistfight scene. With its R rating, disturbing violent content, and mature themes, Killers of the Flower Moon requires a level of emotional maturity most 12 year olds do not yet possess to watch without being deeply affected.

Parents are urged to consider their child's sensitivity and ability to handle heavy, upsetting content before allowing them to view this film. 

Most experts agree it is better suited for older teens able to understand the historical context and process the violent, unsettling images appropriately.

Shooting Scenes

Killers of the Flower Moon depicts multiple disturbing scenes of characters being shot and murdered. One of the most graphic scenes shows a man being shot execution style in the back of the head, with blood spraying as his limp body falls to the ground. 

The murderer then drags the body away to dump it, showing no remorse. Later, a woman is also murdered by being shot in the head at point-blank range, with bloody aftermath shown.

In an interview, Scorsese explained that "We didn’t shy away from the violence. We show the murders brutally because that’s what happened". 

Parents should be prepared for these traumatic scenes of cold-blooded murder if they allow their children to view the film. The execution style shootings are likely to frighten or disturb young viewers.

Other Violent Scenes

In addition to the shooting murders, Killers of the Flower Moon depicts other acts of violence. Several characters are poisoned, including Mollie and her family members. Their poisoning is not graphically shown, but the after effects and their suffering is depicted. There is also a brutal fistfight scene between Ernest Burkhart and another man, where they viciously punch and beat one another, leaving them both bloodied and injured.

While not as disturbing as the execution style shootings, these additional violent scenes contribute to the overall dark tone of the film. Poisoning is a slow, painful way to die, which can be upsetting for young viewers to comprehend. Similarly, the aggressive fist fighting normalizes physical violence and harm against others. Parents should be mindful of exposing children to these unhealthy behaviors through the film's violent content.

In total, Killers of the Flower Moon contains a pervasive atmosphere of murder, crime and cruelty. While the story is based on historic events, Scorsese chose to highlight the graphic violence throughout the film. Parents should carefully consider if their kids are ready to handle these disturbing scenes of brutality.

Unsettling/Disturbing Factors

What may make Killers of the Flower Moon particularly disturbing for many viewers is the fact that it depicts real murders that took place, highlighting the unsettling nature of the true story. As Scorsese brings these brutal killings to life on screen through vivid imagery, it adds an extra layer of intensity and grimness knowing these horrors actually occurred. 

Some find the realistic portrayal more frightening than fictional violence, making scenes like executions carried out coldly all the more affecting. The film doesn't shy away from the darkest aspects of the mass Osage murders, conveying the genuine terror they sparked at the time. 

Viewers should be prepared for an unflinching look at the disturbing crimes that will likely add to the unsettling viewing experience.

Main Takeaways for Parents

Killers of the Flower Moon is certainly a well-made, high-caliber film given its pedigree with director Martin Scorsese and stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. 

However, parents should be very aware it earns its R rating through consistent, graphic and unsettling violence. Multiple murders are shown on screen through shootings, beatings and poisoning. The body count is high, with various unsettling scenes focused on the gruesome deaths.

Given the level of violence, it would be best to avoid taking pre-teen children to this film. Parents should use discretion even for mature 12 year olds, evaluating your child's ability to handle heavy, adult content. 

The disturbing violent scenes could absolutely be traumatic and frightening for kids not ready for this material. While Killers of the Flower Moon tells an important historical story, it does so in an explicit, brutal manner. This makes it a film suited for older teen and adult viewing, not families.

Alternate Scorsese Films for Families

While Killers of the Flower Moon is too violent for children, parents looking for a Martin Scorsese film more suitable for families do have some good options. Scorsese actually has a soft spot for imaginative, adventure-filled children's stories. 

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, he shared a list of his top 11 favorite family films, which included classics like The Red Balloon, The Wizard of Oz and the 1947 Miracle on 34th Street.

Scorsese's own foray into family-friendly filmmaking came with the 2011 film Hugo. This was Scorsese's first and only children's movie to date. It's an adaptation of Brian Selznick's novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and tells the story of an orphan boy living in a Paris train station. 

While Hugo has some intense moments, it is an imaginative, heartwarming story with no graphic violence or language. It received a PG rating and has been described as Scorsese's "love letter to the magic of cinema."

For parents looking for a Martin Scorsese option the whole family can enjoy together, Hugo is a great choice. It captures some of the director's signature style and artistry while remaining completely appropriate for kids. Give your children a chance to experience the work of an all-time cinematic great, just with slightly less blood this time.

Final Verdict

Overall, Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon takes on the brutal true story of murders in 1920s Oklahoma and earns it's R rating with depictions of graphic violence and disturbing scenes throughout the film. 

Parents should be prepared for multiple scenes showing murder and death in gruesome ways, including shootings, beatings, and poisoning. The violent content combined with the unsettling nature of the real murders depicted makes this film inappropriate for pre-teens, and likely too much for young 12 year olds to handle.

Parents are urged to use discretion and judgment when deciding if their mature 12+ year old can handle the heavy, graphic subject matter. Key details to consider are the multiple realistic scenes showing bloody murders, bodies, and the overall disturbing atmosphere. 

Most experts caution against those under 15-16 seeing this film. While a well-made picture, parents may want to explore some of Scorsese's other options for families until their teens are old enough to see Killers of the Flower Moon.