What we flagged
View all categories
Our take
The Bourne Identity is a grounded spy thriller about an amnesiac agent pursued by trained killers. Gunfights, a Paris car chase, and close combat make the action tense and physical, though blood is limited. There is moderate swearing and a brief romance with implied sex but no explicit scene. Teens around 13 and up who already handle action films should be comfortable with it.
Uplifting themes
Once Bourne learns what he was used for, he tries to do the right thing and refuses to keep hurting people. There is a steady thread about taking responsibility for your own past Bourne is a skilled but conflicted figure who chooses to walk away from killing. Marie is resourceful and loyal under pressure, a steadier counterweight to the chaos around them
Story (may spoil tone)
Wounded to the brink of death and suffering from amnesia, Jason Bourne is rescued at sea by a fisherman. With nothing to go on but a Swiss bank account number, he starts to reconstruct his life, but finds that many people he encounters want him dead. However, Bourne realizes that he has the combat and mental skills of a world-class spy—but who does he work for?
What we flagged
Details
Violence The action is frequent but grounded, with shootouts, a long car chase,…
The action is frequent but grounded, with shootouts, a long car chase, and sharp hand to hand fights. People are shot and killed, and one fall is nasty, though the film keeps moving and does not linger
Language Swearing is moderate and scattered, with a couple of f-words, some s-wo…
Swearing is moderate and scattered, with a couple of f-words, some s-words, and milder words like damn mixed in. It tends to surface in moments of stress more than running right through
Sex / nudity Bourne and Marie grow close and end up together, with an implied encoun…
Bourne and Marie grow close and end up together, with an implied encounter and some kissing. Nothing explicit is shown, and the focus stays on the relationship more than the physical side
Frightening A handful of moments carry real tension, like a rooftop standoff and an…
A handful of moments carry real tension, like a rooftop standoff and an assassin closing in on a quiet house. It stays in thriller territory with no horror imagery. Younger viewers may find the sudden bursts of violence startling
Child peril / abuse An assassin approaches a house while two young children are hurried to…
An assassin approaches a house while two young children are hurried to safety. The danger is brief and neither child is harmed
Gore / death / weapons Guns are used throughout and several people die, with some blood from B…
Guns are used throughout and several people die, with some blood from Bourne's early wounds. The injuries are shown briefly without much graphic detail
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
What other parents think.
Be the first family to leave a watch note.
Talk after watching
- Bourne questions the orders he was once given. When is it right to refuse a job you believe is wrong?
- The film keeps its violence quick and low on blood. How does that change the way the action feels?
Ask ClearAge
The Bourne Identity
Ask about this guide, or name another film to open its ClearAge page.
