Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a superhero action-adventure film that serves as a sequel to 2018's Black Panther, set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story centers on the leaders of Wakanda as they navigate grief and political upheaval following the death of King T'Challa, while facing a new threat from the underwater nation of Talokan and its formidable leader, Namor. The film explores themes of loss, succession, and the protection of one's homeland against external pressures. It is visually rich, featuring advanced technology and unique cultural aesthetics, characteristic of the Black Panther franchise. Parents should be aware of its PG-13 rating, which is attributed to sequences of strong violence, intense emotional themes, some language, and its pervasive pagan worldview.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe movie features frequent and strong battle violence, involving armed conflicts between the Wakandan forces and the underwater nation of Talokan. Scenes depict characters being shot, impaled, and attacked with various weapons, resulting in multiple deaths. While gore is mostly mild, the intensity and frequency of the action sequences contribute to a high severity rating.
1. The film contains numerous intense battle sequences, such as the underwater assault on Wakanda and subsequent clashes, where characters are frequently shown being shot, impaled by spears, and slashed with blades. 2. Queen Ramonda dies from drowning after an attack by Namor and the Talokanil on Wakanda, a pivotal and violent event central to the plot.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central to the film's narrative and worldview. It extensively features ancestor worship and a pagan worldview, with characters engaging in rituals and prayers to non-Christian deities. The powers and origins of key characters are deeply rooted in mystical and mythological elements, reflecting indigenous spiritual systems.
1. The film strongly features ancestor worship as a core spiritual practice in Wakanda, and Shuri is shown praying to the Egyptian goddess Bast to save her brother, King T'Challa, at the film's opening. 2. Namor and the Talokanil culture are steeped in a 'false religion ideology' based on Mesoamerican mythological systems, with Namor himself revered as the feathered serpent god K'uk'ulkan.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film contains significant scary and intense content, including threatening villains and emotionally impactful themes. The antagonists, particularly Namor and his people, are portrayed with frightening actions and eerie music, which may disturb younger viewers. The pervasive themes of grief and loss also contribute to the film's overall intensity.
1. Namor and the Talokanil are depicted with 'eerie music and with frightening actions' when introduced and during conflicts, which can be unsettling and scary for younger audiences. 2. The film is emotionally intense, driven by the profound grief and loss experienced by the Wakandan characters following King T'Challa's death, which permeates much of the storyline and can be triggering for sensitive viewers.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighThe film contains overt anti-Christian themes, primarily through its promotion of a pagan worldview and ancestor worship as the dominant spiritual system. It also includes a scene that portrays a Christian religious figure in a negative light when encountering a character rooted in another mythological system.
1. The movie explicitly promotes a 'pagan worldview' and 'ancestor worship' as fundamental aspects of Wakandan and Talokanil spirituality, implicitly contrasting with Christian beliefs. 2. There is an 'overtly Anti-Christian scene' where a Spanish priest is depicted as 'ignorant and foolish' for referring to Namor as a 'son of Satan' due to Namor's non-Christian mythological origins and powers.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film includes subtle LGBTQ+ representation through the romantic relationship between Dora Milaje warriors Aneka and Ayo. While an original script contained a more explicit kiss, the final cut features a brief, tender forehead kiss. This representation has been noted by critics and was a key reason for actress Michaela Coel taking on the role, though some viewers found the on-screen depiction minimal.
1. Dora Milaje warriors Aneka (Michaela Coel) and Ayo (Florence Kasumba) share a 'blink-and-you'll-miss-it' moment of affection, characterized by a brief kiss on the forehead, implying their romantic connection. 2. Michaela Coel, who plays Aneka, publicly stated that she joined the cast specifically because her character was queer, indicating intentional LGBTQ+ inclusion by the filmmakers.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic and sexual content is generally mild. It includes subtle implications of a same-sex relationship between two female warriors and a brief, non-explicit scene of childbirth. Characters are shown with bare midriffs, and there were online discussions regarding a male character's physique, though this was clarified by the actor as not involving intentional editing for sexual emphasis.
1. The romantic relationship between Aneka and Ayo is subtly portrayed through gestures, including a brief forehead kiss, which implies a deeper romantic bond between the two Dora Milaje members. 2. The film includes a scene depicting a woman giving birth, which some parental reviews described as 'slightly graphic' due to its visual nature.
Profanity
MediumThe film includes some instances of strong language, contributing to its PG-13 rating. Parental reviews indicate that the profanity level is noticeably heavier than the previous film in the franchise, with 'quite a few swear words' used throughout the dialogue.
1. The MPAA rating for the film specifically lists 'some language' as a content descriptor. 2. Parental reviews note that the film contains 'quite a few swear words,' indicating a noticeable presence of strong language, described as 'heavier than the original film'.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumElements of disrespect and rebellion are present, particularly through the character of Aneka. While not always overtly displayed in the film as central plot points of defiance, her character's established background and motivations, as well as actions in the comic source material, are rooted in challenging authority and norms.
1. Aneka, a captain of the Dora Milaje, is characterized by director Ryan Coogler as 'kind of a rebel,' reflecting a personality that is prone to challenging established norms or commands. 2. In the comic books, which inform her character, Aneka and Ayo eventually leave the Dora Milaje to form the Midnight Angels, an act of defiance against traditional Wakandan authority.
Substance Use
LowThere is a notable absence of explicit depiction of illegal drug use, alcohol consumption leading to intoxication, or smoking within the film's direct narrative. While theoretical discussions about substances exist within the broader fictional world, no specific scenes show characters engaging in or affected by substance use.
1. The film does not contain any explicit scenes depicting characters consuming illegal drugs. 2. There are no visual or verbal indications of characters smoking tobacco or excessively drinking alcohol.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 12-14 and up. While rated PG-13, the film contains frequent intense violence, mature themes of grief and loss, strong occultic elements, and subtle LGBTQ+ representation. Younger children may find the dark tone, battle sequences, and death themes too frightening or emotionally challenging. Parental guidance is strongly recommended for teenagers due to the thematic depth and specific content concerns.
Additional Notes
The film deals with complex themes of grief, loss, and colonialism, which may require discussion with younger viewers. The emotional weight of the narrative, particularly concerning the passing of a beloved character, is significant. While not explicitly shown, some elements from the original script, such as a more explicit same-sex kiss, were reportedly cut, which may be a point of consideration for parents interested in LGBTQ+ representation.
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