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Cover of The New Mutants

film

The New Mutants

2020

Five young mutants, just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will, fight to escape their past sins and save themselves.

Ages 15+Source checked

Why this age? PG-13 horror includes frightening monsters, deaths, childhood abuse references, suicide ideation, attempted asphyxiation, grief, and intense peril. Mature teens are better equipped for its psychological and emotional intensity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age15+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes5/5
  • Death of a character4/5
  • Violence4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Diverse representation3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

General superhero franchise tie-in, no aggressive product placement.

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Several important deaths are tied to the characters' traumas, including family, coworkers, a girlfriend, a priest, and an adult antagonist.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Some blood, minor injuries, and disturbing imagery associated with the horror elements.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild-to-moderate profanity is present, but language is not a major feature of the film.

LGBTQIA characters3/5
Why this rating?

A primary romantic arc in the film features two women.

Religious themes2/5
Why this rating?

Catholic identity and a devout village inform Rahne's backstory, including persecution by a priest, but religion is not the main subject.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Rahne and Dani develop a friendship and date, with romance present but secondary to the horror and survival story.

Frightening scenes5/5
Why this rating?

Horror is central: monstrous Smiling Men, a Demon Bear, fear visions, confinement, jump-like threats, and psychological terror.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

References to past sexual abuse and minor romantic tension.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Substance use appears minimal and is not a prominent part of the story.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Frequent supernatural attacks and combat include wolf attacks, magical weapons, killing, attempted murder, and dangerous mutant powers.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Facing terrifying manifestations and personal trauma is central; the group repeatedly risks itself to save friends and confront abusers or threats.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Creative use of distinct mutant powers and imaginative manifestations of fear.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

The ensemble includes characters with varied ethnic, national, cultural, and LGBTQIA identities, including a Cheyenne protagonist, with agency in the story.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Little educational value beyond thematic exploration of trauma.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Characters provide emotional support, prevent suicide, rescue one another, and cooperate against shared threats despite conflict and mistrust.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

It supports confronting fear, resisting exploitation, protecting one another, and accepting responsibility, while depicting trauma and violence intensely.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters show resilience and learn to work together despite their pasts.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in The New Mutants would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The New Mutants, 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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