The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a young adult urban fantasy film based on Cassandra Clare's novel of the same name. It follows Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenager, who discovers she is a Shadowhunter, a half-angel, half-human warrior destined to protect the world from demons. The movie delves into a hidden world populated by supernatural beings such as vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and faeries as Clary searches for her missing mother and uncovers secrets about her own lineage. The film is targeted at a teenage and young adult audience, featuring action, romance, and a complex fantasy mythology. Due to its intense fantasy violence, dark themes, and mature content, it is generally recommended for viewers aged 14 and older.
Things to Consider
Violence
The movie contains frequent and intense sequences of fantasy action violence, often brutal, involving swords, knives, and spears. It includes scenes depicting deaths, torture, and some instances of visible blood and gore. Creature transformations are also presented in a disturbing manner.
In a nightclub scene, a young man is brutally slashed across the throat with a sword by a gothic figure, resulting in a visible 'thin red bloody line' and his death. A woman (Jocelyn) is violently attacked in her apartment, thrown through the air and against a wall, then fights back with a knife and frying pan. A snarling Rottweiler transforms into a demonic creature, with its head splitting open to reveal a 'large deep bloody wound,' fangs, and tentacles.
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft and occult themes are central and pervasive to the movie's fantasy world. The narrative revolves around Shadowhunters (half-angel beings), demons, warlocks, vampires, and werewolves. Magical runes are used extensively for powers and protection, and the plot involves powerful magical artifacts and demonic forces.
Scary & Intense Content
The movie contains highly frightening and intense scenes, including graphic creature transformations, disturbing demonic appearances, and suspenseful situations involving torture and life-threatening combat. The overall dark and supernatural setting contributes to a consistently intense atmosphere.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
14+ with Parental Guidance. The movie features intense fantasy violence, scary demonic creatures, occult themes central to the plot, and some suggestive content and profanity. While it has elements of romance and themes of acceptance, the overall tone and visual intensity may be disturbing for younger viewers.
Good to Know
The movie is the first adaptation of a book series that further develops complex themes and relationships, including the Alec/Magnus (Malec) storyline. Later installments and the TV series 'Shadowhunters' depict more explicit LGBTQ+ romantic relationships than what is merely implied in 'City of Bones.' This film is part of a larger universe that continues to explore these elements in greater depth.
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