The 5th Wave
The 5th Wave is a young adult science fiction action film that immerses audiences in a post-apocalyptic world following a devastating alien invasion. The narrative centers on teenager Cassie Sullivan as she navigates a world ravaged by four deadly "waves" of alien attacks, which have crippled Earth's infrastructure and decimated humanity. Her desperate quest to rescue her younger brother, Sam, from a mysterious military program forms the central emotional arc of the story. The film combines elements of survival, action, and romance, appealing to a teenage and young adult audience familiar with dystopian themes. It explores concepts of trust, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. Parents should be aware of the intense and sometimes disturbing content, including frequent violence and themes of child endangerment, which contribute to its PG-13 rating. Despite its intense subject matter, The 5th Wave aims to deliver a thrilling and emotionally engaging experience while also conveying a hopeful message about fighting for loved ones and resisting tyranny. While some critics have noted its reliance on established young adult dystopian tropes, the film ultimately focuses on human perseverance amidst catastrophic events.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe movie contains strong, intense, and frequent violence, depicting a world decimated by alien invasion. This includes mass destruction, graphic deaths, and the militarization of children.
Cassie shoots and kills a man in a convenience store, believing he is an "Other" reaching for a gun, only to find he was holding a cross. The army massacres adults in a refugee village, and Cassie later finds her dead father among the bodies. Children, including Cassie's younger brother Sam, are rounded up and trained as soldiers, participating in combat scenarios and being sent on missions to kill humans believed to be infected. A character is choked with a cord, described as feeling brutal due to its physicality.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe movie is a dystopian sci-fi thriller featuring a world devastated by an alien invasion, leading to frightening and intense scenes of mass destruction, loss, child endangerment, and constant threat.
The "waves" of alien attack include an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) rendering all technology useless, massive earthquakes and tsunamis destroying cities, and a mutated avian flu that decimates the population. Children are forcibly separated from their parents, and parents are massacred by the military, creating scenes of profound loss and terror, such as Cassie witnessing her father's death. The constant threat of "The Others," who can appear human, creates pervasive paranoia and suspense, as characters are unable to discern friend from foe.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film features implied romantic relationships and suggestive dialogue common in the young adult dystopian genre, but avoids explicit sexual acts or graphic nudity.
Cassie and Evan Walker share kisses, and it is implied they had sex, though this is not explicitly shown; they are later seen waking up fully clothed in a car. Evan Walker is shown half-naked in a lake, and Cassie stares at him. Suggestive dialogue includes a friend commenting to Cassie and Ben, "your parts go together," a remark about "end of the world sex," and a discussion about playing strip poker (which does not occur).
Profanity
MediumThe 5th Wave contains moderate profanity, with some strong language used, particularly by certain characters. The frequency increases during intense or battle scenes.
The film includes 14 obscenities, including two instances of the "f**k" word, and three profanities. Specific curse words identified include "a**" (5 times), "f**king," "s-word" (7 times), "What the h*ll," "Oh my G*d" (2 times), "Oh G*d" (2 times), "Jesus" (2 times), "bulls**t," "hell" (2 times), "God," and "dumba**". The character Ringer (Maika Monroe) is noted for having a "foul mouth," with language increasing after her introduction.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe film portrays instances of teenage characters rebelling against perceived authority or displaying defiance in their fight for survival, often questioning military directives.
Teenage characters, particularly Cassie and the child soldiers, engage in acts of defiance against military orders, such as Ringer removing her military implant to expose the true nature of their mission. The theme of not blindly following orders if they are morally wrong is a value that can be reinforced with children, implying that characters make choices to defy authority for ethical reasons. Cassie defies the military by attempting to rescue her brother Sammy from the base where children are being trained as soldiers.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowSearches for explicit LGBTQ+ characters or storylines within The 5th Wave movie did not yield specific examples. While the book version has been broadly tagged under "Gay character" and "LGBTQ Literature" on some review platforms, this tagging lacks specific character or plot details from the book itself. A specific fan query about main character Cassie's bisexuality in the book was clarified as incorrect, stemming from a misinterpretation of another character's memory. The lead actress, Chloë Grace Moretz, is openly gay and an LGBTQ+ activist, but this is external to the film's content.
No explicit LGBTQ+ characters, relationships, or gender identity themes are featured in the movie's narrative. While the book "The 5th Wave" has been listed with tags like "Gay character" and "LGBTQ Literature", no specific examples of such content from the movie are detailed by reliable reviews or fan discussions regarding the film's plot. Discussions regarding Cassie's sexuality in the book clarify that she is not bisexual, debunking a specific fan theory.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no evidence of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or explicit supernatural elements beyond the alien invasion premise itself in the movie.
The alien invasion and its consequences are presented through a science fiction lens, without incorporating elements of witchcraft or the occult. The film focuses on survival and combat against extraterrestrial invaders rather than magical or demonic themes.
Substance Use
LowThe movie includes brief depictions and mentions of alcohol use, aligning with typical teenage social settings, but no illegal drug use or addiction is featured.
Teenagers are shown drinking alcohol at a party in an early scene. Cassie is seen to pour herself a beer at a party. Cassie steps on a cigarette at one point.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowWhile the film primarily focuses on an alien invasion and survival, one scene involves a misunderstanding of a religious symbol. Movieguide notes "pagan content" alongside a "strong moral worldview."
In an early scene, Cassie shoots a bleeding man she believes is reaching for a gun, only to discover it was a cross. Movieguide identifies a "strong moral worldview" instilled with hope and fighting evil, but also mentions some "immoral pagan content (some of it involving teenagers)" without providing specific examples of what constitutes "pagan content" within the film's narrative. The film also includes a reference to a Christian character who was accidentally shot dead.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The 5th Wave is officially rated PG-13, and a recommendation of 14+ is appropriate. This age guidance is given due to the film's intense and frequent violence, including mass casualties, child soldiers, and graphic death depictions. There is also moderate profanity and implied romantic/sexual content. While the film focuses on themes of courage and family, the scary and disturbing elements, particularly the alien threat and human deception, may be too overwhelming for younger viewers.
Additional Notes
The film is an adaptation of the first book in Rick Yancey's trilogy. While it provides resolution to some plot elements, it leaves numerous threads dangling, anticipating potential sequels which, as of current information, have not materialized. Critical reception for the film was generally negative, with many reviewers noting its derivative nature compared to other young adult dystopian films. The runtime of the movie is 112 minutes.
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