Movie

The Pianist

2002 • R

The true story of pianist Władysław Szpilman's experiences in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. When the Jews of the city find themselves forced into a ghetto, Szpilman finds work playing in a café; and when his family is deported in 1942, he stays behind, works for a while as a laborer, and eventually goes into hiding in the ruins of the war-torn city.

Content advisory

LGBTQ+ Characters/Relationships

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

Language

mild — Language is generally mild with occasional use of words like 'damn' or mild expletives; no strong or frequent profanity is present.

Mature Themes

heavy — The movie strongly engages with mature themes including genocide, trauma, loss, survival, war, and moral complexity associated with life during the Holocaust.

Scary/Intense Content

moderate — The film contains disturbing imagery and a pervasive sense of fear, existential dread, and tension due to the Holocaust and wartime setting.

Sexual Content & Nudity

none — There is no sexual content, explicit or implied, in the film.

Substance Use

mild — Brief and realistic portrayals of alcohol use occur in social settings; substance use is not a focus and is not glorified.

Violence & Gore

heavy — The film depicts graphic and realistic violence related to World War II, including war combat, brutal treatment, death, and scenes of suffering that are prolonged and disturbing.