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Our take
Taxi Driver spends a long time inside the loneliness and anger of a man who believes he can clean up the city. Prostitution, porn theatres, racist language and the exploitation of a young girl are part of the world he enters. The final gunfight is bloody. We would leave this until R 18+.
Uplifting themes
The film warns about isolation and about violence as an answer to anger and loneliness. Any lesson is buried deep, so a parent would need to point it out No one in the film is a good model for teens to follow. The hero's loneliness and anger are the focus, and the few kind characters have little influence on him Older film students can study how the film uses sound, camera, and a city setting to show a man's mind. It also touches on the after-effects of war
Story (may spoil tone)
Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Gun purchases, threats, and a shocking shootout bring bloody close-rang…
Gun purchases, threats, and a shocking shootout bring bloody close-range violence. The burst of brutality is sudden, loud, and hard to watch
Language The f-word and other strong swearing fill many scenes, mostly in angry…
The f-word and other strong swearing fill many scenes, mostly in angry or street talk. Sexual insults and put-downs are common
Sex / nudity Prostitution, porn theatres, and lewd talk fill much of the story, with…
Prostitution, porn theatres, and lewd talk fill much of the story, with partial nudity and sexual content on screen. The sex trade is shown as seedy, with adult films and street solicitation in view
Drugs / alcohol Characters smoke, drink, and take pills in a seedy underworld, and drug…
Characters smoke, drink, and take pills in a seedy underworld, and drug dealing happens openly. The hero's pill-taking and drinking are shown often
Frightening A growing sense of dread follows a man who is deteriorating, with unner…
A growing sense of dread follows a man who is deteriorating, with unnerving close-ups, eerie music, and menacing street scenes. The film builds to a violent climax that leaves viewers shaken
Self-harm / suicide The main character shows despair and self-destruction, including one di…
The main character shows despair and self-destruction, including one disturbing moment aimed at himself. The film does not treat it as a solution
Sexual violence A young girl is forced into prostitution and controlled by a pimp, and…
A young girl is forced into prostitution and controlled by a pimp, and her situation fuels much of the film's second half. The abuse is implied through scenes and conversations, with nothing explicit on screen
Child peril / abuse A very young teenager is surrounded by dangerous adults and is present…
A very young teenager is surrounded by dangerous adults and is present when the finale erupts. Her vulnerability, and the grown men who pursue her, are a major source of dread
Bullying / discrimination Racist and sexist remarks run through the film, and the hero's prejudic…
Racist and sexist remarks run through the film, and the hero's prejudices shape how he treats people. Women and people of colour are talked down to or called names
Gore / death / weapons Blood pools, wounds are shown up close, and bodies are left on the floo…
Blood pools, wounds are shown up close, and bodies are left on the floor after the finale. Guns are handled and fired in close detail
Dangerous behaviour Buying and practising with guns, plus a stylish haircut and attitude, c…
Buying and practising with guns, plus a stylish haircut and attitude, can look cool to a troubled viewer. The film frames it as a warning, yet the imagery is easy to admire
Mental health A lonely, sleepless man spirals into paranoia, rage, and delusion, with…
A lonely, sleepless man spirals into paranoia, rage, and delusion, with no support around him. The film shows the symptoms in detail and gives no path to recovery
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 hero thinks he is cleaning up the city. How can loneliness twist someone's idea of right and wrong?
- How does the film use music, night streets, and close-ups to put us inside his head?
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Taxi Driver
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