Movie

The Shawshank Redemption

1994 • R

Imprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates -- including an older prisoner named Red -- for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.

Content advisory

LGBTQ+ Characters/Relationships

Unrated — There are no notable LGBTQ+ characters or themes explored in this film.

Language

heavy — Strong and frequent profanity is present throughout the film, including multiple uses of explicit language common in prison settings. The language reflects the harsh environment and the characters' backgrounds.

Mature Themes

heavy — The film explores heavy mature themes such as wrongful imprisonment, institutional corruption, abuse of power, trauma, hope amid despair, death, and enduring friendship. These themes are central to the story and handled thoughtfully.

Scary/Intense Content

mild — There are some disturbing and tense moments, including a few scenes that create a feeling of psychological dread and oppressive atmosphere, but no supernatural or jump scares.

Sexual Content & Nudity

mild — The film includes brief references to sexual situations and some implied sexual assault, but no explicit sexual content or nudity is shown. Romantic elements are minimal and subtle.

Substance Use

mild — Alcohol use is shown occasionally, mostly as background substance use among prisoners. Drug use is not depicted or emphasized.

Violence & Gore

moderate — The film contains several scenes involving prison violence, including fights and some disturbing incidents, but it does not show graphic gore. There are moments of threat, injury, and implied violence that contribute to an overall tense atmosphere.