What we flagged
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Our take
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a fast adventure that turns much darker than the other films in the series. A cult performs human sacrifice, a man's heart is torn from his chest, and enslaved children are whipped in the mines. There is mild language, flirty innuendo, and an unsettling banquet scene. We put it at around PG and up because the vivid scares and cruelty may upset younger fans.
Uplifting themes
Beneath the scares is a story about courage, freeing captive children, and doing the right thing over chasing fortune. The loyalty between the three leads carries it Indy grows from treasure-hunter to rescuer, and young Short Round is brave and loyal throughout. Willie is more comic relief, panicky but game when it counts
Story (may spoil tone)
After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone. He agrees – and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace.
What we flagged
Details
Violence The adventure is full of fights, chases, and weapons, and it turns brut…
The adventure is full of fights, chases, and weapons, and it turns brutal in places, including a human sacrifice and a man crushed in the mines. The action is thrilling but carries a genuinely dark streak
Language Language is mild and infrequent. There are a few uses of damn and hell,…
Language is mild and infrequent. There are a few uses of damn and hell, a shouted insult in anger, and one s-word during a tense moment. It never turns into a barrage
Sex / nudity There is flirty banter between Indy and Willie and a bit of cheeky innu…
There is flirty banter between Indy and Willie and a bit of cheeky innuendo, plus a passing line about primitive sexual practices. Nothing is shown
Drugs / alcohol The opening nightclub scene has cocktails and a poison-and-antidote bit…
The opening nightclub scene has cocktails and a poison-and-antidote bit, and there is a little social drinking. It is brief and not made to look appealing
Frightening A cult performs a sacrifice, including a heart pulled from a living man…
A cult performs a sacrifice, including a heart pulled from a living man's chest. The underground scenes have a nightmarish feel, and the images may stay with younger viewers
Child peril / abuse Enslaved children are whipped and forced to work in the mines. Short Ro…
Enslaved children are whipped and forced to work in the mines. Short Round is also captured and tormented. Seeing children in pain is one of the film's hardest elements
Bullying / discrimination Some portrayals of Indian people and customs rely on dated stereotypes.…
Some portrayals of Indian people and customs rely on dated stereotypes. Older children may benefit from talking about how the film presents its setting
Gore / death / weapons The heart-removal scene and a death in lava are vivid and disturbing. T…
The heart-removal scene and a death in lava are vivid and disturbing. The banquet adds queasy images of eyeball soup and monkey brains. The effects are fantastical, but younger viewers may find them hard to watch
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
- Short Round stays brave even when he is in real danger. What did you make of how he and Indy look out for each other?
- The film mixes thrilling adventure with some very dark moments. Which parts felt too intense to you?
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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
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