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La bola negra poster

La bola negra

Parents guide · ClearAge age 16+ · Official MA 15+

Movie 2026 155 min Drama, War Checked by Dan S · 25 Sep 2026
Official Rating MA 15+ ClearAge 16+

What we flagged

View all categories
Violence
Strong
Sex and Nudity
Strong
Frightening
Strong
Language

Our take

Los Javis's Spanish queer epic links three gay men's lives across 1932, 1937 and 2017. War bombing, persecution, explicit desire and homophobic blackballing are the main mature concerns. The tone is historical and emotional rather than light entertainment. Expect mature themes throughout. The official MA 15+.S. rating is still pending the October release.

Uplifting themes

The film plays as an ode to queer storytellers who died before they could truly live. A Cannes Best Director win underlines artistic affirmation of LGBTQ+ history Three protagonists navigate closeted identity, war survival and historical research with courage. Their choices under persecution may inspire discussion, if not imitation Drawing on Federico García Lorca's unfinished work and Alberto Conejero's play La piedra oscura, the film spans Spanish Civil War history and queer lineage

Story (may spoil tone)

The intertwined lives of three men in three different eras, three lives intimately linked by sexuality and desire, pain, and legacy.

What we flagged

View all categories

Violence
Strong
Sex and Nudity
Strong
Frightening
Strong
Language

Details

Violence Strong In the 1937 storyline, a village aligned with fascists is bombed from t…

In the 1937 storyline, a village aligned with fascists is bombed from the air, killing many including Sebastián's mother. War and persecution violence run through the whole triptych

Language No language found in this title

No language found in this title

Sex / nudity Strong Desire runs as a connective thread across the three eras. The 2017 time…

Desire runs as a connective thread across the three eras. The 2017 timeline includes a historian casually scrolling Grindr. Musical and operatic staging suggests stylized intimacy

Drugs / alcohol No drugs found in this title

No drugs found in this title

Frightening Strong Air bombing, fascist violence and homophobic persecution create sustain…

Air bombing, fascist violence and homophobic persecution create sustained historical dread. The fear comes from real wartime and social terror rather than fantasy monsters

Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title

No child peril found in this title

Bullying / discrimination Strong The title refers to blackballing: in 1932 Granada, casino elders vote C…

The title refers to blackballing: in 1932 Granada, casino elders vote Carlos down with black balls because of rumors he is homosexual. Homophobic elders and class prejudice drive that timeline

Gore / death / weapons Moderate Wartime bombing and fascist violence appear across the story, bringing…

Wartime bombing and fascist violence appear across the story, bringing deaths and casualties in their wake

Dangerous behaviour No dangerous behavior found in this title

No dangerous behavior found in this title

Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title

No eating found in this title

Mental health No mental health found in this title

No mental health found in this title

Grief / bereavement Moderate Sebastián loses his mother in the bombing massacre. Hidden inheritances…

Sebastián loses his mother in the bombing massacre. Hidden inheritances and unfinished Lorca manuscripts carry generational loss across the timelines

Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.

We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.

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