The Fall Guy
"The Fall Guy" is an action-comedy film directed by David Leitch, loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name. The movie follows Colt Seavers, a seasoned Hollywood stuntman, who, after a career-ending injury, finds himself embroiled in a real-life conspiracy when the star he doubles for, Tom Ryder, goes missing. Simultaneously, Colt attempts to rekindle his romance with his ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno, who is making her directorial debut. The film is a homage to stunt performers, blending thrilling action sequences with humor and a central love story. Parents should be aware of its PG-13 rating due to frequent action violence, some suggestive content, drug references, and strong language.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film features frequent and intense action violence, typical of the action-comedy genre, including numerous fight scenes, vehicle chases, and explosions. While often presented with a 'tongue-in-cheek' tone to mitigate impact, some scenes depict injuries and implied deaths.
Colt Seavers experiences a significant fall resulting in a broken back at the film's outset, showing him bloodied and on a gurney. Later, Colt discovers a dead body in a bathtub full of ice, with blood visible on the side of the head. A character is tied up and beaten, with visible blood on their face and a deep gash on their nose. The film includes extensive fight choreography, car chases, a boat chase, and battles using fists, fake samurai swords, and prop bottles.
Profanity
HighThe movie contains significant profanity, including strong curse words and instances of blasphemy. The language is frequent enough to be noted as 'gratuitous' by some reviewers.
Movieguide reports 26 obscenities, including two uses of the 'f' word and many 's' words. Specific strong words identified include "sh*t," "a**hole," "p*ssy," and "b*tch". The film also includes six instances of "GD" profanity and one profanity using the word "Christ". During a mid-credits scene, original TV series cast members Lee Majors tells Gail to "shut the hell up" and Heather Thomas asks, "Will somebody cuff this bitch?".
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumA central romantic storyline exists between the main characters, Colt and Jody, involving kissing and suggestive dialogue. There is also brief, non-graphic upper male nudity.
The core plot revolves around Colt Seavers' efforts to win back his ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno, with their romantic chemistry being a key element. They share multiple kissing scenes throughout the film. In one scene, the romantic couple briefly discuss going to a beach, drinking, and "making bad decisions," implying intimacy without explicit detail. There are brief instances of upper male nudity, specifically showing Colt's back with a surgical scar in two or three scenes.
Substance Use
MediumThe film includes depictions of alcohol consumption and a significant scene involving a character being unknowingly drugged with a hallucinogen. References to drug dealing and partying are also present.
Colt Seavers is drugged without his knowledge at a nightclub by a drug dealer named Doone, leading to a comedic sequence where he experiences hallucinations, including seeing a white unicorn. There are references to the film's star, Tom Ryder, partying and doing drugs, though the act itself is not explicitly shown in a positive light. Characters are also shown consuming alcohol in social settings, such as Jody and her crew having drinks in a bar.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film contains numerous intense action sequences, suspenseful situations, and elements of a criminal conspiracy that could be frightening for younger viewers, though tempered by its comedic tone.
The plot involves Colt being framed for murder by Tom Ryder using deepfake technology, leading to dangerous situations where Colt's life is at risk. Scenes feature intense car chases and explosions, such as an extended chase through Sydney involving a rubbish truck and a boat exploding. The discovery of a dead body in a bathtub filled with ice is a visually disturbing moment, even if brief. Colt endures significant physical abuse throughout the film due to the stunts and confrontations.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumInstances of disrespect and rebellious attitudes are present, primarily stemming from interpersonal conflicts and a villainous character's manipulative actions.
Colt's initial abandonment (ghosting) of Jody leads to her expressing significant anger and actively making him uncomfortable on set as a form of rebellion against his past actions. The character Tom Ryder displays extreme self-absorption and disrespect towards others, manipulating situations and attempting to frame Colt for murder. Jody describes her character as "smart, talented, maybe a touch sadistic" which hints at her rebellious and independent nature.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowExplicit searches for LGBTQ content within "The Fall Guy" movie did not yield any results indicating LGBTQ characters, themes, or representation in the film's plot or dialogue. While an actress involved is identified as queer in external discussions, this does not translate to in-film character representation. Fan communities and reviews also noted a lack of such content.
Searches for 'The Fall Guy' combined with terms like lgbtq, gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer representation returned no confirmed in-film LGBTQ content. One source mentioned Stephanie Hsu, who plays Alma Milan, as a 'queer actress,' but this refers to her personal identity and not her character's on-screen portrayal or storyline. Some online discussions praised the film for being 'non-woke' and having 'No LGBTQ content', indicating its absence as a talking point for some viewers.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowNo elements of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural themes were found in the available content analysis for "The Fall Guy."
The search results did not provide any examples or mentions of witchcraft or occult themes within the film's narrative or character actions.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe primary anti-Christian content is found in instances of profanity that misuse religious terms or reference God in a disrespectful manner. There are no overt plotlines or character arcs that directly mock or criticize Christian beliefs.
Movieguide specifically notes "one profanity using the word Christ" and "six GD profanities" among the film's language, which are considered blasphemous uses of God's name. These instances are integrated into the general dialogue rather than forming a direct attack on Christian faith or themes.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The Fall Guy is recommended for ages 13 and up. The PG-13 rating is justified by frequent action violence, instances of strong language, and moderate drug content. Younger viewers may find some scenes intense or the mature themes challenging.
Additional Notes
The film is an homage to stunt work, often showcasing the dangerous nature of the profession while maintaining an action-comedy tone. The extended cut, available on home media, adds 20 minutes of footage, primarily expanding on character interactions and action sequences without significantly altering the core content concerns of the theatrical release.
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