Movie

Whiplash

2014 • R

Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.

Content advisory

LGBTQ+ Characters/Relationships

Unrated

Language

heavy — The film features very strong and frequent profane language, including frequent uses of the f-word and its derivatives, as well as other strong language such as bitch, prick, dick, and shit. There is also discriminatory language including terms like 'retard' and 'faggot'.

Mature Themes

heavy — The film explores mature themes including mental and psychological abuse by a music instructor, intense ambition and perfectionism, the impact of such abuse on mental health leading to suicide by hanging, trauma, and strained family and personal relationships.

Scary/Intense Content

none — No sources report frightening or intense scary content such as jump scares, horror imagery, or intense peril.

Sexual Content & Nudity

mild — There are verbal crude sexual references used by the abusive tutor in a musical context, such as directions not to 'come early' and to play faster than giving 'hand jobs'. There is no depiction of sexual activity or nudity.

Substance Use

mild — Alcohol consumption is shown among adult characters. There are verbal references to heroin and a mention of suicide by hanging. Smoking is mentioned in content advice but not detailed.

Violence & Gore

moderate — The film contains several instances of physical violence including a musical instructor verbally, physically, and psychologically abusing students. There is a scene where a chair is thrown and a student is slapped repeatedly. A character is hit by a vehicle and shown with bloody injuries to the face and hands, with blood seen dripping onto a drum kit. There is also a physical fight scene onstage.