Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Solaris

film

Solaris

1972

A psychologist is sent to a space station orbiting a planet called Solaris to investigate the death of a doctor and the mental problems of cosmonauts on the station. He soon discovers that the water on the planet is a type of brain which brings out repressed memories and obsessions.

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The film is slow-paced and highly abstract, dealing with heavy themes of grief, suicide, and existential dread. It lacks graphic violence or sexual content but requires emotional maturity to process the psychological intensity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Romance3/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity5/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Courage & resilience3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Death, suicide-related loss, and grief are central to the story and drive the protagonist’s emotional conflict.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Mild, sparse language usage, consistent with the somber tone.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religion is not a featured theme.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

The central conflict is driven by the protagonist's profound, tragic relationship with his late wife.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Uncanny apparitions, isolation in space, loss of reality, and nightmare-like situations can be disturbing, especially for younger viewers.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional scenes of non-sexual intimacy or non-explicit nudity typical of artistic dramas.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Characters are occasionally shown drinking in adult settings.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Some brief, tense moments involving physical distress or struggle in a psychological context.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront fear, guilt, isolation, and existential uncertainty, usually through persistence and emotional honesty rather than action heroics.

Creativity & curiosity5/5
Why this rating?

Its imaginative world, visual symbolism, and questions about consciousness strongly encourage curiosity and creative thought.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The cast is limited by the isolation of the setting and reflects the 1970s Soviet production context.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

The film invites reflection on psychology, consciousness, science, ethics, and philosophy, though it is not instructional.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Care, remorse, and attempts to understand others are important, although relationships are burdened by grief and confusion.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It explores responsibility, empathy, memory, grief, human limits, and the danger of treating others as objects or mysteries to solve.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show compassion and intellectual seriousness, but they also make painful, morally ambiguous choices under extreme pressure.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Solaris would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Solaris, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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