Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Asteroid City

film

Asteroid City

2023

In an American desert town circa 1955, the itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? PG-13 material includes bereavement, adult relationship themes, mild sexual content and nudity, profanity, smoking and drinking, quarantine tension, and existential ideas presented through a structurally complex story. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Alcohol or drugs3/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes2/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity5/5
  • Kindness & empathy3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Stylized retro branding, no overt product placement.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The death of a wife and its aftermath are central, with grief, bereavement, and family strain receiving sustained attention.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Contains some mild profanity throughout.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Includes brief romantic tension and connections between characters.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Alien encounters, quarantine, isolation, and existential uncertainty may unsettle some children, but the stylized, comic tone keeps the fear moderate rather than intense.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Contains brief, non-sexual female nudity in a comedic context.

Alcohol or drugs3/5
Why this rating?

Smoking and alcohol consumption are depicted in line with the 1950s setting.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Minimal, includes some context of atomic testing and an alien encounter which is not graphic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Courage is depicted as the act of living despite emotional hardship.

Creativity & curiosity5/5
Why this rating?

Highly imaginative, meta-narrative structure and unique visual style.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Features a multi-ethnic cast, though centered on typical Anderson archetypes.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Reflects an interest in 1950s culture and science fiction tropes.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Shows characters struggling but maintaining social connections.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Promotes contemplation on existentialism and the necessity of keeping going through grief.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters are complex and deeply flawed adults dealing with loss.

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 were alcohol or drugs portrayed, and what consequences did the story show?
  3. Which choice in Asteroid City would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Asteroid City, 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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