Glass
Glass is a psychological thriller that serves as the third and final installment in a unique superhero narrative, following "Unbreakable" and "Split." The story brings together three individuals with extraordinary abilities: David Dunn, a man with superhuman strength and invulnerability; Elijah Price, a brilliant and manipulative strategist with extremely brittle bones, known as Mr. Glass; and Kevin Wendell Crumb, whose dissociative identity disorder manifests in numerous personalities, including the formidable 'Beast.' These characters find themselves confined in a psychiatric institution, where a doctor attempts to convince them their perceived powers are mere delusions. The film explores themes of identity, belief, and the fine line between reality and delusion in a world where comic book tropes might actually be real. It is intended for a mature audience, primarily teenagers and adults, due to its intense themes and violent sequences.
Concerns
Violence
HighGlass features frequent and intense action violence, including physical beatings, combat with superhuman strength, and several on-screen or implied deaths with visible blood. The violence is a central component of the superhero-villain narrative.
David Dunn engages in vigilante justice, physically confronting and harming criminals. Kevin Wendell Crumb, as 'The Beast,' uses extreme force, crushing a man and implying cannibalism, and is seen squeezing people to death. Elijah Price orchestrates a train crash and other events leading to mass casualties. Characters suffer fatal injuries including being shot in the abdomen, bleeding out, a throat being cut off-screen with visible blood, and drowning.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film contains high levels of psychological tension, suspenseful sequences, and frightening elements. The themes of mental illness, trauma, and the unpredictable nature of super-powered individuals contribute to a consistently intense atmosphere.
The 'Beast' personality of Kevin Wendell Crumb is consistently frightening and unpredictable, creating significant menace. Scenes involve psychological manipulation by Elijah Price and Dr. Ellie Staple, inducing distress and confusion in other characters. There are moments of peril, such as teenage girls being held captive and menaced. Flashbacks depict a young Elijah breaking his bones, causing discomfort due to its graphic description.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighKey characters demonstrate significant and often violent disrespect and rebellion against authority figures and societal norms, driving major plot points and conflicts within the story.
Elijah Price actively defies the psychiatric institution's authority by manipulating events and attempting to expose the existence of superhumans to the world. Kevin Wendell Crumb, especially as 'The Beast,' shows extreme disregard for institutional rules and actively resists containment and medical treatment through violent means. David Dunn operates as a vigilante, taking justice into his own hands outside of legal authority.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film does not feature explicit LGBTQ+ characters or storylines as a primary focus. However, one character, Kevin Wendell Crumb, exhibits multiple personalities, some of which are female and engage in cross-dressing, and one female personality briefly flirts with a male orderly.
Kevin Wendell Crumb, a character with dissociative identity disorder, manifests several distinct personalities, including female ones. One instance notes these female personalities engaging in cross-dressing. Additionally, a female personality of Kevin briefly flirts with a male orderly while institutionalized.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film contains minimal romantic content, primarily portraying a supportive, platonic relationship. However, there is a disturbing thematic reference to child molestation in a character's backstory, and brief suggestive attire is noted.
While no depicted sex, there is a thematic reference to a girl (Casey Cooke) being molested as a child, which is a key part of her traumatic past. A character is seen wearing a low-cut and form-fitting top. David Dunn shares a supportive, non-sexual bond with his ex-wife, Audrey, involving embraces.
Profanity
MediumThe film includes moderate use of profanity, with various PG-13 level swear words appearing intermittently throughout the dialogue, often in moments of stress or confrontation.
Profanity includes infrequent uses of terms such as 'a--hole,' 's--t,' 'damn,' 'hell,' and 'bitch.' Characters may also use 'crap' and 'p---y,' with instances of 'Jesus' as an expletive. A rude hand gesture (middle finger) is also noted.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe narrative of Glass focuses on characters with superhuman abilities, which are presented within a comic book-inspired, quasi-realistic framework rather than supernatural magic, witchcraft, or occult practices.
The special abilities of David Dunn (invulnerability, strength), Kevin Crumb (multiple personalities, 'The Beast'), and Elijah Price (super-intellect) are treated as extraordinary human phenomena or psychological conditions, not as magical spells or occult rituals. There are no depictions of demons, sorcery, hexes, or other elements typically associated with witchcraft or the occult.
Substance Use
LowThe film has minimal substance use, limited to adult characters occasionally drinking alcohol in social settings without explicit intoxication. There is no depiction of illegal drug use or smoking.
Adult characters are shown briefly drinking alcohol in a restaurant or bar setting, but without any portrayal of heavy drinking or intoxication. Mr. Glass is frequently sedated due to his condition, but this is presented as medical treatment rather than recreational substance abuse.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes or overt mockery of Christian beliefs. While it explores themes of belief, faith, and a character's self-perception in a 'Romantic worldview,' it does so without directly opposing or criticizing Christian doctrine.
The narrative primarily focuses on the characters' individual beliefs in their own superhuman identities and destinies, rather than engaging with specific religious faiths. The film does not depict sacrilegious acts or promote messages directly critical of Christianity. While some reviews mention a 'questionable worldview' from a Christian perspective, it is related to the emphasis on self-belief rather than explicit anti-Christian content.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 13 and up. The film is rated PG-13 due to frequent intense violence, mature thematic elements including psychological distress and trauma, and some strong language. Younger viewers may find the psychological complexity, frightening characters, and depictions of peril too intense.
Additional Notes
The book 'Glass' is a novelization of the M. Night Shyamalan film. Therefore, content reviews for the movie are directly applicable to the book. The film is part of a trilogy, and themes of trauma, mental illness, and moral ambiguity are central and build upon previous installments. Parents should be aware of the film's darker psychological elements, which distinguish it from typical superhero fare.
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