Black Widow: A Parents Guide

Black Widow, the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU),will be released in theaters on July 9, 2021 and it will also be available on Disney+ with Premier Access on the same day.  But is Black Widow appropriate for younger kids?  And is it worth it to pay $29.99 to watch it at home on Disney+?  I’m answering those questions and more in my spoiler free Black Widow parents guide.  With a PG-13 rating that includes language, violence and thematic elements, here’s what parents need to know about Black Widow.

Black Widow:  A Parents Guide

Black Widow is a prequel of sorts in the MCU.  That’s because the events occur before Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers:  Endgame but after Captain America:  Civil War.  It might sound confusing to the MCU timeline but the movie does a good job of providing Natasha Romanoff’s (played by Scarlett Johansson) backstory and how she ends up becoming the Black Widow.  Specifically, we find out more about her “family” Alexie (played by David Harbour), Melina (played by Rachel Weisz) and Yelena (played by Florence Pugh).  However, this is a movie that is ultimately about spies and assassins.  As a result, here’s what parents need to know about the Black Widow age rating.

What is Black Widow Rated? 

Black Widow is rated PG-13, which means that some material is not suitable for children under the age of 13.  For example, it may contain violence, nudity, sensuality, and/or brief language.  Here, the movie doesn’t contain any sexual content like nudity but it does contain language, violence and thematic elements.  More about that below.

Language

MCU characters are known for dropping a curse word here and there. And profanity usually doesn’t bother me.  However, I was surprised by the number of curse words I counted throughout Black Widow.  Characters say words like “pi**ed,” “sh*t,” *b*tch,” a*s,” and “d*mn” several times.  

Violence

This is why the Black Widow age rating is primarily PG-13.  Because this is an action movie about an assassin getting revenge, the movie contains several violent scenes. Characters are stabbed, shot, bludgeoned, tranquilized, and blown up.  Characters are also frequently depicted with injuries from cuts, bruises, and broken bones.  Because of that, some parents might find these scenes graphic for younger kids, so you’ll definitely want to use your discretion.  

Thematic Elements

To say that Natasha had a difficult life would be an understatement.  An underlying but undeveloped thematic element of this movie is child trafficking, even though those exact words are never used.  There are scenes, especially at the beginning of the movie, that show young girls being held against their will in what can be considered as frightening scenes for young kids.  However, while some of the characters talk about their experiences, it’s not developed any further, perhaps intentionally to keep the movie’s PG-13 rating.

Do you have to be familiar with the other MCU movies in order to understand Black Widow?

Yes and no.  You don’t necessarily need to be familiar with the MCU movies BUT I do think you are missing out if you haven’t seen the other movies beforehand. There are several references throughout this movie that audience goers will only truly appreciate and understand if they’ve seen the other MCU movies. For example, why is Natasha on the run in the beginning of the movie?  You’ll know the answer to that if you are familiar with the other MCU movies and the actions that she takes in Endgame that decide her ultimate fate.

Is it worth paying $29.99 to watch Black Widow on Disney+ with Premier Access?

The movie is available to watch at home for $29.99 for Disney+ subscribers, thanks to Premier Access.  If you are a Marvel fan and you aren’t yet comfortable going to the movies in person, then yes, I do think it’s worth it to pay with Premier Access.  However, with the non-stop action sequences and special effects, this is a movie that deserves to be seen on the big screen in movie theaters.  

Overall Thoughts

This is a great action movie.  And while there are plenty of action sequences, there are also scenes with comedic relief, mostly due to Yelena and Alexie (aka the Red Guardian).  The plot is also a straightforward one, making it easy to follow along, unlike some of the new Marvel series on Disney+. However, if you’re looking for a deeper dive into Black Widow’s character,  you’re only going to end up in the shallow end of the pool (figuratively speaking).  Still, it’s nice to see an iconic character finally have her own film to shine especially because she was an important but underdeveloped character in the MCU.  

There is also a post credit scene so you’ll want to make sure you stick around for it, whether you are seeing it in theaters or watching it at home on Disney+.  It sets viewers up for what is to come in the MCU future.  In particular, it seems like this movie was a set piece for Yelena to become a character in the MCU.  Unfortunately, this takes away some of the attention from Black Widow but I can understand why it’s necessary.  

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie as both a fan of action movies and the MCU. 

About Black Widow

In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow,” Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz is Melina. Directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige, “Black Widow”—the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe— will launch simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access in most Disney+ markets on July 9, 2021.