Dickens & Rumi
Cover of The Fault in Our Stars

film

The Fault in Our Stars

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

2014

Is The Fault in Our Stars appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a patient named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? PG-13 teen drama includes cancer, medical treatment, emotionally intense romance, grief, death, and some sexual references or activity; mature adolescents may be best prepared for its sadness. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 13+
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 5/5 · Romance 5/5 · Alcohol or drugs 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Kindness & empathy 4/5
Recommendation3.8/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

PG-13 teen drama includes cancer, medical treatment, emotionally intense romance, grief, death, and some sexual references or activity; mature adolescents may be best prepared for its sadness. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 13+Main watch-out: Death of a character 5/5
Recommendation 3.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
17Scored categories
17Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 22, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth17 scored categories17 evidence notes

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character5/5
  • Romance5/5
  • Alcohol or drugs2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

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What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Ordinary products and locations appear, but the film does not strongly promote brands or purchasing.

Death of a character5/5
Why this rating?

Death and terminal illness are central to the plot and the characters' journeys.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Medical procedures are implied; brief, non-graphic depictions of illness-related physical struggles.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Contains some moderate profanity.

Religious themes2/5
Why this rating?

Faith and death are discussed in a philosophical context.

Romance5/5
Why this rating?

The central theme is a deep romantic relationship between the two main characters.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Tense moments relate to health emergencies rather than traditional fear.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Includes romantic intimacy, kissing, and brief sexual references.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional scenes of social drinking; characters use prescribed medication.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Violence · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The characters exhibit immense courage in facing their mortality.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Characters engage deeply with art, metaphor, and literature.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Includes a neurodivergent character; generally standard representation.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages interest in literature and philosophical inquiry.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Deep empathy and support between characters is essential to the story.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It explores love, mortality, grief, dignity, friendship, and finding meaning while acknowledging pain and limits.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters demonstrate resilience, empathy, and honesty.

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. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Fault in Our Stars would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Fault in Our Stars, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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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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