Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Lone Survivor tells the true story of a 2005 Navy SEAL mission in Afghanistan gone terribly wrong. It features brutal, bloody violence, with guns, shooting, gory wounds, and many deaths, including major characters. The men use some sexual innuendo, as well as very strong language, including "f--k," "s--t," and "c--k." The movie is very intense, yet also very moving. It shows training footage and photos of real SEALs, including the real participants in this story. It also goes into a little detail about the Afghani tribe that rescued the last survivor, despite the danger they faced in doing so. Some parents won't mind bringing teens to this movie to demonstrate the bravery, heroism, and teamwork of the SEALs, but other parents may be worried that teens will want to head to the recruiting office afterward.

Sexual Content

We hear plenty of sexual innuendo ("pushing peter," etc.) among the men during the movie's first half, before the fighting starts.

Violence

The relentless battle violence is brutally realistic, shocking, and horrific. The battle does not go as it might in a normal war movie. Characters are shot in every conceivable part of their bodies, sprain their ankles, fall from cliffs, lose their fingers, bash their heads, and pass out. The fight is chaotic and desperate, with a great deal of blood and many bloody wounds. A character digs bloody shrapnel out of his wounded leg. Many characters die. A helicopter explodes, killing a number of men inside.

Language

Language is very strong and constant, including "f--k," "s--t," "c--k," "balls," "crap," "bitch," "hell," "shut up," "muff," etc.

Social Behavior

The movie wrestles with a profound moral quandary and viewers can decide what's right and wrong for themselves. War is depicted as ugly and brutal, but the Navy SEALs also show the considerable courage, strength, and dedication it takes to make the team, which makes them seem highly admirable. While some parents will find the patriotism, sacrifice, and heart the soldiers display incredibly moving, others might be concerned that war and the military appears in too positive a light, and might come off like a recruitment movie.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not applicable