This month, the romance sports movie, Challengers volleys its way into cinemas. The film – directed by Luca Guadagnino – heads into UK and US cinemas on Friday 26th April.
Starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, Challengers tells the story of Tashi Duncan – a former tennis prodigy turned coach, whose tennis champion husband is having a run of bad luck. But things soon get more complicated when he faces off against his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.
Ahead of the movie’s release, Challengers has already received a great deal of positive buzz, making it a significant release for 2024. The film is being viewed as one to watch, with lead star Zendaya sure to draw in audiences.
But with Zendaya likely to attract young audiences, due to her connection to the Spider-Man film franchise, is Challengers appropriate for young eyes? To put it better: What is the age rating for Challengers and is the movie suitable for a teenager?
In the US, Challengers has been rated ‘R’ by the Motion Picture Association (MPA). An ‘R’ rated movie means the film is ‘restricted’.
According to the MPPA, ‘R’ rated movies contain “some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.”
In the US, anyone can watch an ‘R’ rated movie, so technically there is no age restriction. However, under 17s do require an accompanying adult or guardian.
Things are a little bit different in the UK, where Challengers has been awarded a ‘15’ certificate by the British Board of Film Classification. A ‘15’ certificate means the film is deemed suitable for audiences aged 15 or over.
In the UK only audiences aged 15 or over can view a ‘15’ certificate movie in cinemas. Anyone below this age will not be permitted to a screening, no matter who they are accompanied by.
The reason the BBFC has awarded Challengers a ‘15’ certificate is due to “strong language, sex, (and) sex references.” According to the BBFC, the film includes “frank sexual descriptions and activity.”
The sexual content of the movie, as well as the use of language is a significant reason behind the ‘15’ certificate. According to the BBFC, the film contains “a prolonged sex scene”, while the dialogue includes a few uses of the ‘F’ word.
So, what does this all mean in terms of suitability for a teenager? Well, it all depends on where you live.
If you live in the UK and your children are below the age of 15 then they won’t be able to watch Challengers in the cinema. While the film might be deemed suitable for many teenagers (those who are 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 years old), it’s not suitable for all teenagers (those below 15).
If you live in the US, the age ratings are less restrictive. Essentially anyone below the age of 17 can watch the film, so long as they have an adult or guardian with them.
But just because a teen of any age can watch the Challengers in a US cinema, does it mean the film is suitable? Arguably not, so it really does come down to parental discretion on that one.
Ultimately you know your child better than anyone else. If you believe the film doesn’t sound suitable for the teen in your household, then maybe check it out before they see it.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about Challengers on It’s A Stampede!. For more posts, check out the recommended reads below.
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