The Darkest Minds
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Darkest Minds
The Darkest Minds is a 2018 American dystopian science fiction film based on Alexandra Bracken's young adult novel. It portrays a future where a mysterious disease has killed most of the children in the United States, and the survivors develop various superpowers. Fearing these enhanced abilities, the government classifies the children by color based on their powers and confines them to internment camps. The story follows Ruby Daly, a powerful 'Orange' (telepathy and mind control), as she escapes her camp and joins a group of other runaway superpowered teens. Together, they seek a rumored safe haven and ultimately fight against the oppressive adult regime that seeks to control or eliminate them. The film blends action, adventure, and drama, targeting a young adult audience with themes of survival, friendship, and rebellion against injustice, without delving into graphic detail that would push it into an R rating.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film features frequent and intense science fiction violence, including combat between children with superpowers and armed adults. There are depictions of death, injuries, explosions, and implied harm, with some scenes being quite disturbing.
Teens with mind-control powers instruct several people to point guns at themselves and commit suicide, although the fatal wounds are kept off-screen. A group of Red children (fire manipulators) attacks unarmed teens with flames, and a military helicopter crashes, burning and blowing several teens off their feet. Ruby's friend, Chubs, suffers severe burns from an explosion.
Scary & Intense Content
The film features numerous intense and frightening situations, including children being hunted, imprisoned in concentration camps, and facing threats of death. The dystopian setting and the violence contribute to a consistently high level of suspense and distress.
Disrespect & Rebellion
The central theme of the movie revolves around children rebelling against an oppressive adult government that fears and persecutes them due to their superpowers. This involves significant acts of defiance, escape, and fighting against authority figures.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
The Darkest Minds is rated PG-13 and is best suited for viewers aged 13 and older. This recommendation is due to its pervasive themes of violence, including children being threatened and harmed, the depiction of a dystopian society where children are imprisoned and some euthanized, and a scene with implied sexual assault. Younger viewers may find the intensity, violence, and distressing themes too frightening or disturbing.
Good to Know
The film is an adaptation of the first book in 'The Darkest Minds' series, with the book series having multiple installments. While the movie was intended to be a franchise starter, it did not perform well at the box office. There are no notable differences in content across theatrical, extended, or director's cuts reported. The themes of prejudice and fighting for freedom may offer discussion points for older children.
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