Black Panther
Black Panther is a 2018 American superhero film from Marvel Studios, directed by Ryan Coogler. The narrative centers on T'Challa, who, after the death of his father, returns to the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to claim his rightful place as king and protector, the Black Panther. The film explores themes of leadership, tradition, national isolation versus global responsibility, and the legacy of ancestral wisdom.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film features pervasive and prolonged sequences of action violence, including extensive hand-to-hand combat, gunplay, and the use of futuristic and traditional weapons. Deaths and injuries are explicitly depicted, with some limited blood effects and scenes showing corpses. The intensity and brutality of these conflicts, particularly during ritualistic challenges and battles, contribute to a high level of violence.
In the opening minutes, Ulysses Klaue's minions are shown 'needlessly shooting security guards' during a museum robbery. During the ritualistic challenge for the throne, Erik Killmonger brutally kills Zuri by stabbing him with a spear, a visually impactful scene. Characters also engage in fights to the death in gladiator-like competitions for the Wakandan throne.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film contains numerous intense and potentially frightening scenes, including prolonged battle sequences, high-stakes confrontations, and emotionally charged moments of death and mourning. The menacing antagonist, Killmonger, and the brutal nature of some combat scenarios, such as ritualistic fights to the death, can be particularly unsettling for younger viewers.
The ritualistic combat scenes, where T'Challa faces both M'Baku and later Killmonger for the throne, are highly intense and involve genuine threats to life. Erik Killmonger's violent actions, including killing Zuri, and his overall aggressive and vengeful demeanor, create significant tension and can be scary for younger audiences.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic elements are present but are mild and non-explicit. The film depicts affectionate relationships, including embracing and kissing, between main characters. There is no graphic nudity or explicit sexual content. The focus remains on emotional connection and relationship dynamics rather than physical intimacy.
T'Challa and Nakia share multiple scenes of embracing and kissing, clearly establishing their romantic involvement. Okoye and W'Kabi are depicted as a married couple, and their relationship, while strained by political conflict, includes implied affection and intimacy typical of a committed partnership.
Profanity
MediumThe film contains infrequent use of mild profanity and terms of deity. Additionally, the MPAA rating specifically notes the inclusion of a 'brief rude gesture,' indicating a moderate level of language concerns.
The MPAA rating for 'Black Panther' specifies 'infrequent use of scatological slang, terms of deity and profanity'. A 'brief rude gesture' is also cited as a descriptor for the film's PG-13 rating.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe movie incorporates elements of African spirituality and mysticism, which some Christian parents may view as occult. T'Challa's powers derive from a 'heart-shaped herb' that allows him to visit the 'Ancestral Plane' and communicate with deceased ancestors. The Wakandan belief system features the 'panther god Bast.' These are presented as integral to Wakandan culture and the Black Panther lineage.
T'Challa ritually consumes the heart-shaped herb to gain his superhuman abilities and spiritual connection, allowing him to commune with his ancestors on the Ancestral Plane. The Wakandan people's spiritual beliefs are explicitly tied to the panther god Bast, who is revered as a central deity within their fictional culture.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe narrative's central conflict revolves around significant acts of rebellion against established authority and tradition. Killmonger actively challenges T'Challa's kingship and the isolationist policies of Wakanda, leading to a civil war. This portrays rebellion as a driving force for plot development and ideological clashes, rather than merely casual disrespect.
Erik Killmonger stages a direct and violent challenge to T'Challa's rule, culminating in a ritual combat for the throne and a subsequent civil war within Wakanda. W'Kabi, a trusted friend and leader of the Border Tribe, ultimately chooses to betray T'Challa and align himself with Killmonger, representing a profound act of defiance against his king.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowThe 2018 film 'Black Panther' does not include explicit LGBTQ+ representation within its theatrical release. While there were discussions and reports of a deleted scene hinting at a same-sex connection between Dora Milaje members Ayo and Okoye, and a canon lesbian relationship exists for Ayo and Aneka in the comics, this content was not present in the final cut of the first movie. Okoye is portrayed in a heterosexual relationship with W'Kabi in this film. However, the sequel, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' later introduces a confirmed queer relationship between Aneka and Ayo.
An early cut reportedly included a flirtatious scene between Dora Milaje members Okoye and Ayo, where Okoye says, 'You look good,' and Ayo responds with, 'I know.' This scene was ultimately removed from the final film. In the theatrical release of 'Black Panther' (2018), Okoye is in an overtly heterosexual relationship with W'Kabi, T'Challa's friend and the head of the Border Tribe's security.
Substance Use
LowThe film does not depict recreational drug use or alcohol abuse. The only 'substance' consumed is the heart-shaped herb, which is ingested for a sacred, ritualistic purpose to grant the Black Panther powers and connect with the ancestral plane, not for intoxication or addiction. This is clearly distinguished from illicit or recreational substance use.
T'Challa and previous Black Panthers consume the heart-shaped herb in a ceremonial process to gain their powers and access the spiritual realm, which is a pivotal part of their culture and responsibilities. There are no instances of characters depicted smoking, consuming alcohol to the point of intoxication, or using illegal drugs.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery, or direct criticism of Christian beliefs. The spiritual framework of Wakanda is rooted in its own fictional traditions, centered on the panther god Bast and ancestor veneration, rather than any Judeo-Christian theology. Some Christian analyses note the absence of a Christian God within Wakandan culture and discuss the differences in spiritual worldviews.
Wakandan spiritual practices are depicted through the veneration of the panther god Bast and the ability to visit the Ancestral Plane to seek guidance from past rulers, which stands distinct from Christian religious practices. The film's themes of leadership and responsibility have been noted by some Christian reviewers as aligning with certain biblical principles, despite the differing religious context.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 12 and up. The film is rated PG-13 by the MPAA primarily due to its prolonged and intense action violence. While it offers positive messages about leadership, community, and responsibility, younger children may find the numerous fight scenes, depictions of death, and the menacing nature of the antagonist, Killmonger, too frightening or disturbing. Common Sense Media also recommends the film for ages 12+.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that while the first 'Black Panther' film has no explicit LGBTQ+ content, its sequel, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' does include a confirmed queer relationship between the Dora Milaje members Aneka and Ayo, featuring a brief kiss between them. This represents an evolution in content for the franchise. The strong female characters and themes of community and justice are often highlighted as positive aspects of the film.
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