What we flagged
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Our take
Jaws builds fear through the threat of a shark and sudden attacks. Some scenes are bloody, a child is among the victims, and a man is taken by the shark late in the film. There is brief nudity during the opening swim, mild swearing, and heavy drinking among the men later on. The suspense is strong enough to stay with viewers. We put it at around 13 and up, with company for anyone especially sensitive to the scares.
Uplifting themes
Underneath the scares is a story about ordinary people facing down fear and a town that must put lives ahead of money. Courage and teamwork carry the day Chief Brody overcomes his own fear of the water to protect his town, and the three hunters slowly learn to work together. They are flawed but brave men worth talking about
Story (may spoil tone)
When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town's chief of police, a young marine biologist, and a grizzled shark hunter embark on a desperate quest to kill the beast before it strikes again.
What we flagged
Details
Violence The shark attacks several people over the film, and the hunt brings har…
The shark attacks several people over the film, and the hunt brings harpoons, a rifle, and a brutal last struggle on the boat. The attacks are sudden, with thrashing and some blood, though the camera does not linger on wounds
Language The script has a handful of mild to moderate swear words, including dam…
The script has a handful of mild to moderate swear words, including damn and a couple of stronger ones, mostly from the men out on the water. It is light by modern standards
Sex / nudity The film opens on a young woman skinny dipping at night just before the…
The film opens on a young woman skinny dipping at night just before the first attack, with brief nudity seen at a distance. There is nothing sexual beyond that one scene
Drugs / alcohol The three men do a lot of drinking out on the boat, including a long, b…
The three men do a lot of drinking out on the boat, including a long, boozy night of swapping stories and old scars. It is social and in character, with no comment made about it
Frightening Murky water, ominous music, and attacks that come without warning keep…
Murky water, ominous music, and attacks that come without warning keep the tension high. There are sudden shocks as well as long stretches of dread, which may frighten children
Child peril / abuse The shark kills a young boy in a sudden attack shown through chaos and…
The shark kills a young boy in a sudden attack shown through chaos and blood in the water. Another child survives an attack but is badly shaken. Both moments can upset younger viewers
Gore / death / weapons There are bloody moments across the attacks, a grim discovery involving…
There are bloody moments across the attacks, a grim discovery involving a body, and clear wounds during the final showdown. It is not throughout gore, but several images are strong and have real impact
Grief / bereavement A grieving mother whose child was killed publicly confronts the police…
A grieving mother whose child was killed publicly confronts the police chief, a raw and sad moment amid the thrills. The town's loss gives the scares a real human weight
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
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Talk after watching
- The town leaders want to keep the beaches open for the money. How do fear and money pull against doing the right thing?
- The film scares you more with what you do not see than with blood. What made the quiet moments so tense?
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Jaws
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