Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a superhero action-adventure film based on the DC Comics character, serving as an origin story for Diana Prince. Set primarily during World War I, the narrative follows Diana, an Amazonian princess and demigoddess from the secluded island of Themyscira, as she ventures into 'Man's World' with American pilot Steve Trevor. Believing the conflict to be the work of Ares, the Greek god of war, she strives to end the global devastation. The film explores themes of justice, compassion, and female empowerment through Diana's journey of self-discovery and her efforts to understand humanity's capacity for both good and evil. It features intense battle sequences, mythological elements, and a poignant love story.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe movie contains frequent and intense sequences of violence, battle, and the horrors of World War I. While explicit gore is generally avoided, the impact of the violence is significant, depicting numerous casualties, injuries, and the use of chemical weapons, which can be disturbing.
The film features extensive battlefield violence, showing soldiers, civilians (including children), and animals with bloody wounds and implied missing limbs during intense combat sequences, such as Diana's charge across 'No Man's Land'. Dr. Maru (Doctor Poison) develops lethal poisonous gases, and one scene depicts a human test subject dying in a gas chamber, followed by the gas being unleashed on a village, causing many people to collapse and die.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighThe narrative is deeply embedded in Greek mythology, presenting a world where gods, goddesses, and demigods are real and influential. Diana herself is a demigoddess, and the primary antagonist is Ares, the Greek god of war, making mythological and supernatural elements central to the plot.
Diana Prince is revealed to be the biological daughter of Zeus, the king of the Olympian Gods, and Queen Hippolyta, making her a demigod with divine powers. The central conflict involves Diana's quest to defeat Ares, the Greek god of war, who is manipulating humanity into continuous conflict, embodying a direct supernatural and mythological threat.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film contains several scary and intense sequences, primarily stemming from the brutality of war, the villainous transformations, and the overall threat of destruction. These scenes can be frightening for younger viewers.
The movie depicts intense war scenes, including a plane crash and soldiers struggling for survival, and the frightening spectacle of people collapsing from gas attacks, creating a sense of dread and danger. The transformations of General Ludendorff, who takes a potion and glows with a demonic appearance, and Ares' final monstrous form with glowing eyes, are visually menacing and can be very scary.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile the film itself does not explicitly depict LGBTQ+ characters or relationships within its main narrative, the all-female Amazonian society of Themyscira has led to discussions and interpretations regarding implicit non-heteronormative relationships. Director Patty Jenkins has acknowledged the possibility of such relationships within the Amazon culture, though it is not a focus of the movie's storyline. There are no explicit LGBTQ+ characters or plot points in the film or its sequel, Wonder Woman 1984.
The Amazonian society, consisting entirely of women on Themyscira, implicitly opens the door for discussions about same-sex relationships within the community, though none are visually explicit in the film's narrative. Director Patty Jenkins, when discussing the Amazons, has commented that 'it’s an island of all women. There’s no reason it wouldn’t be' a place where same-sex relationships exist, indicating the conceptual presence of LGBTQ+ themes in the world of the Amazons.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film includes a prominent romantic subplot between Diana and Steve Trevor. This involves passionate kissing, suggestive dialogue, and implied sexual activity without explicit depiction. There is also brief, non-graphic nudity in a non-sexual context.
Diana and Steve Trevor share passionate kissing scenes, and it is implied they spend a night together after entering a bedroom, though no explicit sexual acts are shown on screen. When Steve Trevor emerges from a bath naked in front of Diana, who has never seen a man, he covers himself, but his embarrassment and Diana's curious gaze, along with his suggestive comment about being 'above average,' provide clear sexual innuendo.
Substance Use
MediumThe film depicts characters consuming alcohol in various social settings, such as bars, to unwind or celebrate. There is also a scene where a character uses an unidentified potion to enhance their abilities, implying drug use.
Characters are seen drinking alcohol in bars, such as when Steve Trevor takes Diana to a London pub, and later during celebrations for the war's end, often in response to stress. General Ludendorff is shown consuming a chemical stimulant, likely supplied by Dr. Poison, to increase his strength and aggression during battles.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumDiana exhibits instances of defiance against authority figures and societal norms, particularly when she believes her moral compass for justice is being compromised. Her initial disobedience to her mother's wishes to train as a warrior is also noted.
Young Diana explicitly disobeys her mother, Queen Hippolyta, by secretly training to be an Amazon warrior with her aunt Antiope, against her mother's protective wishes. Upon arriving in 'Man's World,' Diana often disregards established social conventions and military protocols, directly challenging male authority figures who impede her mission to save lives and stop what she perceives as pure evil.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe film's mythological foundation is entirely pagan, centered on the Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses, which implicitly contrasts with a monotheistic Christian worldview. While there's no direct criticism or mockery of Christianity, the foundational spiritual framework is polytheistic.
The central narrative establishes Diana as the demigod daughter of Zeus, with her powers and purpose rooted in Greek mythology and the conflicts of its deities, such as Ares, the god of war. The Amazonian society on Themyscira is presented with its own creation myths and worship of Greek goddesses, functioning entirely outside of any Christian theological framework.
Profanity
LowThe movie includes infrequent use of mild profanity and some instances where terms of deity are used as expletives. The language is generally restrained and not a dominant feature of the dialogue.
A few mild profanities are heard throughout the film, such as 'hell' or 'damn'. Additionally, a term of deity is used as an expletive on at least one occasion.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Wonder Woman (2017) is recommended for ages 13 and up. The MPAA rates it PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive content. Common Sense Media suggests 12+, while Raising Children Network advises parental guidance for under 15 and suitable for over 15, citing violence and frightening scenes. The film's intense depictions of war, mythological themes, and mature romantic elements warrant this recommendation, as younger children may find some content disturbing or challenging to process.
Additional Notes
The sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, continues some of these themes. It features intense action but with slightly less blood than the first film. The romantic content includes kissing and implied bedroom scenes. 'Wonder Woman 1984' introduces the mystical 'Dreamstone' which grants wishes with a cost, adding another layer to the magical/occult themes. Both films emphasize themes of truth, courage, compassion, and self-sacrifice.
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