Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Calvary is a thoughtful drama about an Irish priest. It has lots of mature content, including shooting and blood, a dead dog, and suggested violence against women and children. No real sex is shown, but there's strong innuendo throughout, and one female character is said to be openly having an affair. A male character is shown with his pants unbuttoned, only barely covering sensitive parts, and there's a reference to transsexual pornography. A character urinates on a painting (no body parts shown). Language is also strong throughout, including "f--k," "s--t," and "c--t." The main character struggles with alcohol and is seen drinking excessively and getting violently drunk in one scene. Other characters are shown briefly snorting cocaine, smoking pot, and smoking cigarettes. Other types of drugs are mentioned. Despite the strong material, Calvary is extremely well-made and acted, and it tackles some very interesting, thought-provoking ideas, including forgiveness.
Sexual
Content
A local woman is openly cheating on her husband with another man. It's also suggested that she may have more lovers. One character seems to be a kind of gigolo with many male lovers. He's shown shirtless and with his pants unbuttoned, just barely covering anything sensitive. References to many kinds of sexual acts, as well as to pornography. "Felching" is mentioned but not explained.
Violence
A verbal description of a boy being raped by a priest; phrases "anally and orally" and "I bled" are used. Guns are shown and sometimes randomly fired. A character is shot twice, with blood spurting. A woman is shown wearing bandages from a suicide attempt; characters mention that she was supposed to slice "down and not across." A woman is shown with a black eye, the victim of abuse. A dog is killed, shown with a slit, bloody throat. A man has bloody hands and face and bruises after a fight. A mention of cannibalism. A church is burned.
Language
Strong language includes "f--k," "s--te," "a--hole," "c--t," "prick," "ass," "d--k," "piss," "hell," and "bastard."
Social
Behavior
The movie doesn't have one clear message, but it brings up many spiritual, moral, and religious ideas and leaves many of them open for pondering. Among them are issues of suicide, money, sex, revenge, adultery, faith, death, memory, and -- probably most importantly -- forgiveness.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Characters frequently gather and drink at the local pub. The main character mentions that he struggles with alcoholic tendencies. In one scene, he falls off the wagon and drinks a great deal at the bar. When the bar tries to close, he tries to order one more drink, which leads to an argument. A secondary character is frequently seen drinking and sloppily drunk. Characters snort cocaine in a bar bathroom. Two characters casually share some pot. Characters occasionally smoke cigarettes in a background way. There's a joke about an altar boy stealing ceremonial wine. Mentions of LSD and crystal meth.
