Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Contact

film

Contact

1997

A radio astronomer receives the first extraterrestrial radio signal ever picked up on Earth. As the world powers scramble to decipher the message and decide upon a course of action, she must make some difficult decisions between her beliefs, the truth, and reality.

Ages 12+Source checked

Why this age? PG-rated and generally appropriate for older children or young teens, but frightening danger, deaths, grief, terrorism, adult relationship themes, and complex science-versus-faith ideas may be challenging for younger viewers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age12+

Strongest cautions

  • Religious themes4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

NASA, scientific institutions, and recognizable technology are part of the setting, but the film does not function as product promotion.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Deaths, including a significant personal loss and deaths connected to violence, affect the characters and contribute to the emotional weight.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Some injury and death are associated with violent events, but graphic blood or bodily damage is not a focus.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild language.

Religious themes4/5
Why this rating?

Central theme involves the relationship between faith and scientific evidence, including perspectives from various religious figures.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Includes an adult romantic relationship that is secondary to the primary plot.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Suspense comes from alien contact, political conflict, sabotage, dangerous technology, isolation, and uncertainty about what may happen.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

No explicit sexual content or nudity.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional social drinking by adults.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Features an act of terrorism/sabotage involving an explosion, resulting in deaths.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters face uncertainty, public pressure, grief, danger, and potentially transformative discovery with determination and principled bravery.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Strongly stimulates imagination through extraterrestrial communication, astronomy, engineering, cosmic mysteries, and inventive problem-solving.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse international cast in supporting roles, though focused on one protagonist.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

Introduces astronomy, radio signals, scientific research, space travel, mathematics, engineering, and debates about evidence and knowledge.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Personal loyalty, care, and cooperation appear, but the story is more focused on discovery, conflict, and philosophical disagreement than everyday kindness.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Encourages curiosity, humility, perseverance, evidence-based inquiry, and respectful engagement with questions that science cannot easily resolve.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist models persistence, intellectual honesty, courage, and commitment to discovery, though some adults make flawed or questionable choices.

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. What beliefs or religious ideas appear in the story? How do they influence the characters?
  3. Which choice in Contact would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Contact, 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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