Iffy for 17+
Graphic violence, strong language in clever crime comedy.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Seven Psychopaths is the second feature film by acclaimed playwright and Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin McDonagh, who frequently uses crime, violence, and strong language in his smart-but-edgy stories. Seven Psychopaths is no exception: Expect lots of graphic, bloody images, including shooting and killing; spraying, splattered blood; victims burned alive; sawing a victim's neck; and an over-the-top bloody shootout with exploding heads. Language is very strong ("f--k," "s--t," "c--t," etc.), and there's a near-sex scene, a topless woman, and a woman wearing a wet, see-through top. A major character is also shown to have a drinking problem.
- Families can talk about Seven Psycopaths' violence. Is violence necessary to tell a good story? Why do the characters discuss violence? Do you agree with their conclusions?
- How does the movie portray the main character's drinking problem? Do the consequences seem realistic? How does it compare to other depictions in movies/on TV?
- There's a brief comment about how the fictitious screenplay in the story has no strong female characters. How are women characters represented in the real movie? How does the comment relate to it?
The good stuff
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Messages: The characters discuss the option of telling a story without any violence or conflict, but their conclusion is that a good story needs a lot of violence.
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Role models: The main character, a screenwriter, grows tired of violent stories and tries as much as he can to work toward something that involves introspection and discussion. He tries to save a wounded bad guy, even though the attempt backfires on him. Unfortunately, violence tends to win the day here. Additionally, this character is shown to have a drinking problem.
What to watch for
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Violence: Many characters are shot and killed, with lots of spurting blood. In one scene, a gangster shoots an innocent old lady in the head; blood is sprayed on the walls. A woman is shot in the stomach. Throats are sliced, and a character is shot with a crossbow. Heads explode. A character attempts suicide via a bombing. In a flashback, two killers shoot people, burn them alive, and saw victims' heads off. In an imagined finale, there's a ridiculously bloody shootout. Much of the violence is meant to be comical in a shocking way, i.e. the suddenness and randomness of the targets.
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Sex: Characters are shown attempting to have sex (with noises), but they stop. A topless woman is shown. A main character is shown with a wet top, and her breasts are somewhat visible beneath.
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Language: Very strong, frequent language includes uses of "f--k," "motherf---r," "s--t," "p---y," "c--t," "bitch," "d--k," "ass," "bastard," "hell," "damn," "goddamn," "oh my God," "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation), and derogatory terms such as the "N" word, "f-gs," and "homos."
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Consumerism: A Milky Way chocolate bar is shown very briefly.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The main character is shown to have a drinking problem. It costs him his relationship with his girlfriend, and he turns to drinking for every problem he has. The problem is acknowledged, and it's assumed that he has stopped drinking by the story's end. Another character regularly smokes peyote.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
Funny! NOT! by rltoys
Wow! I can't believe I wasted any of my evening seeing this horrible movie. I saw the review on USA Today and it sounded great ... if you love PULP FICTION it said,you'll love it ...said it was SO funny. This movie was not funny and I LOVED Pulp Fiction. If I could do this night over, I would not waste my time. When you see an okay movie, you can handle that ... this was simply awful. I shoud have taken the clue that a 9:30 showing on opening night had about 15 people total (the four of us included).
3
Seven Psychopaths by Aristotle'sLover
Great actors and great one liners ----scattered, unrelated hilarity on occasion ---- otherwise gruesome and the bloody visual detract from any dialogue. Otherwise way too obvious "guy" mania trying to be so on the edge, but disappointing and boring most of the time. Dark humor to the excess. Advertisements and TV clips of film definitely show only the best part.
3
Beware by MedRed
Quite a few people walked out of this movie as I doubt it was what they expected. It seems like someone tried to make a Tarantino/Guy Ritchie hybrid style movie. Please leave this style of movie to the pros. It also seems like this movie was made for people who make movies. I think the critics got this one wrong.
1
Seven Psycopaths not for Sane People by VanView
The only good thing about this movie happened after we got up and left about an hour after it started. We were presented with a Readmission Ticket to see another movie. The movie itself is not for any sane adult over the age of 50!
4
Seven Psychopaths by horsechuckle
Saw this on a Sunday afternoon. The theater was about 1/4 full. As the movie progressed, people got up and left--there is a lot of blood, but you come to understand that it is over the top fake blood. You can close your eyes when someone is about to be slaughtered! Those of us who stayed really enjoyed it--very strange and funny. Great acting and dialogue, We laughed out loud countless times. Smart, interesting, paradoxical. Way better than the worst movie we have seen this season, The Master.
5
Seven Psychopaths by Jeff from San Jose
Great movie! I was caught off guard. I did not expect the film to be as entertaining as it was. It had me laughing and very interested in the characters. The performances by Colin Ferrell, Christopher Walken, and Sam Rockwell were superb--there was great chemistry among the three of them. I highly recommend this movie, especially if you want great acting and a compelling story.
4
Its a psychotic film people. by Kenthall43
Not many people are going to like this film. In fact your not going to get this movie and what makes it amazing if your not a little crazy yourself. It is a DARK, VIOLENT, Drama. with plenty of funny moments if you like your humor pretty black. I was in a full theater when i saw this and there was a rather brutal and violent point where 8 people just got up and left never to return. Let me make this clear people this is not a zany comedy film about a couple of nut jobs who kidnap a dog from someone crazier then they are. Its about Freaking PSYCHOPATHS Manson was a psychopath people. Be Warned people.
2
Yawn Fest by field
Pace of the movie was a little bit too slow, the humor was bland, probably tweaked for people with about 70 IQ average. The whole thing about the movie writing itself as it happens i just found kind of annoying, its something that actors probably like to do. To me the movie was pretty average/bad and it didnt keep my attention so i left early.
5
MY FAVORITE MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by toothnurse1968
I must be the 8th psychopath because I loved this movie. I was sucked in from the beginning and loved the humor, yes, it is violent, but I found the acting outstanding. Walken and Harrelson and Rockwell all cast so well. I want to buy this when it comes out on DVD and I rarely buy any DVD's. I am surprised to read that people walked out on this.
4
Seven Psychopaths by twocpots
I went with my 14 yr old and a few of his friends and all we did was laugh. The movie had a decent pace to it and quite a few twists and turns. Sam Rockwell was by far the best psychopath in the movie! Another stellar performance by Christopher Walken! If you are in the mood for something completely different and off the wall go see it asap!