Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that HESHER is a very bleak, dark comedy/drama set in a grimy Southern California suburb, in some unspecified time near the present (there are no computers or cell phones on view). It deals with a grieving father and 13 year-old son after the death of the boy's mother. Into this family comes Hesher, a mysterious, long-haired metalhead with bad habits who eventually provides some perspective. The movie is filled with wall-to-wall foul language and graphic sexual innuendo (as well as some sexual images), and a somewhat negative attitude toward women. There is also some violence and general destruction, as well as cigarettes, beer-drinking, and pot-smoking. Nearly all of this occurs near or revolves around the 13 year-old. Parents should think twice before allowing any kids or teens to see this unsupervised.
Sexual
Content
The movie is packed with sexual innuendo and graphic sex talk. There's also a quick glimpse of a porn movie on a TV set, as well as porn magazines. In one scene, a man and a woman have sex, but it's mostly off camera (viewers can only see them around a door frame).
Violence
Hesher likes to trash places, blow things up, and set things on fire. He threatens a 13 year-old boy with a pair of clippers. The same teen also deals with a vicious bully at school. There's some fighting, and one character hits another with a metal bar. Viewers see some blood (a bloody nose). Most of the violence occurs in the presence of the 13-year-old.
Language
Very strong, constant language includes many uses of "f--k" and "s--t," as well as "c--k," "c--t," "p---y," "goddamn," "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation), "ass," "d--k," "tw-t," "hell," "nut," and images of a raised middle finger.
Social
Behavior
Just about every character here indulges in unhealthy behavior, from doing drugs to stealing, lying, and destroying things. The outlook is mostly negative, though some of the characters appear to be trying, some of the time, to make things better.
Consumerism
Not applicable.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Hesher smokes cigarettes almost constantly. He also smokes pot, sniffs glue, and drinks beer to drunkenness. He shares some pot with Granny and teaches her how to use a bong. T.J.'s dad takes prescription pills for depression.
