This month, the horror thriller, Send Help arrives in cinemas. Directed by Sam Raimi, the movie stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, and tells the story of a put-upon employee and her asshole boss who become stranded on a deserted island.
Describing the new movie, 20th Century said: “Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) and Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), two colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it becomes an unsettling and darkly humorous battle of wills and wits to make it out alive.”
When Send Help arrives in cinemas, expect it to be a hit movie. Not only does the premise of the film sound intriguing, especially to those familiar with power dynamics in the office, but Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Spider-Man) is a fan-favourite director, and McAdams and O’Brien are popular actors.
As such, many eyes will be locking onto this one, with much interest from all age groups. But will all age groups, including horror-loving teenagers, be able to watch Send Help at the cinema?
Let’s take a look at the age rating.
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Send Help UK age rating
In the UK, Send Help has been awarded a ‘15’ certificate by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The film has received this rating due to “strong bloody violence, gore, threat, (and) language.”
In the UK ‘15’ certificate movies are deemed suitable for audiences aged 15 or over. No one below the age of 15 is permitted to watch a ‘15’ certificate film in a UK cinema – not even if they are accompanied by an adult.
As such, the BBFC believe Send Help is suitable for some teens (i.e. those aged 15+), but not suitable for all teens (those aged 14, 13, or below).
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Send Help US age rating
In the US, Send Help has been rated ‘R’ by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The movie has received this rating for strong/bloody violence and language.
In the US, things are a little different when it comes to the rating system. ‘R’ rated movies are classed as ‘restricted’, but the restrictions are perhaps not as restrictive as you might expect.
When it comes to the ‘R’ rating, anyone under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. However, as long as the audience member under the age of 17 is accompanied, they are permitted to watch the movie in a US cinema.
So an eight-year-old could watch an ‘R’ rated film in a US cinema. Same for a ten-year-old or a teen who just turned 13, as long as they have an adult with them.
However, when it comes to ‘R’ rated movies, the MPAA makes it clear films with this rating do contain some adult materiel. Therefore, the MPAA advise parents to learn more about the movie before taking their young children to a screening.
So, can a US teenager watch Send Help at the cinema? Yes, so long as they are accompanied by an adult, but you may want to check out the film first, to decide if it is entirely appropriate.
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