Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Race is partly a biographical drama about legendary gold medalist Jesse Owens (Stephan James) and partly a historical drama about the American Olympic Committee's controversial decision to attend the Nazi-run 1936 Olympics. Reflecting the subject matter and the 1930s setting, the language includes several uses of racial slurs (the "N" word, "negro," "jigaboo," "coon," and "boy," as well as the more jokingly used "cracker"); characters also use the words "s--t," "bulls--t," "a--," "son of a bitch," and more. There's the implication of violence in Berlin when Olympic official Avery Brundage visits; he sees Jewish civilians forcibly carted onto transport vehicles, Jewish businesses defaced, and signs saying "No Jews or dogs allowed." There's also a tense scene when Nazi soldiers demand, at gunpoint, that Owens' coach show his papers. Characters also drink (it's suggested that Coach might have a drinking problem), kiss passionately, and make some racy comments/jokes. As part of a portrayal that presents him as both inspiring and realistically flawed, Owens is shown being unfaithful to the mother of his child. The movie, while imperfect, has good intentions and can be a conversation starter between parents and their tweens/teens.

Sexual Content

Passionate kisses, references to premarital sex that led to teen pregnancy, and some jokes about whether the guys can get a particular woman into bed. Jesse slow dances and caresses a woman who isn't the mother of his child. He's unfaithful to his fiancee (sex is strongly implied).

Violence

Scenes of Nazi round-ups, racist signs, and armed soldiers threateningly demanding papers from a lost American.

Language

Occasional strong and racist language: the "N" word a few times, "jigaboo," "coon," and "negro," as well as "cracker," "s--t," "a--hole," "a--," "son of a bitch," "goddamn," "screw," etc. Subtitles reveal anti-Jewish signs.

Social Behavior

Laudable (if somewhat idealized) message that sports should transcend politics and social strife. Makes it clear that there was more at stake than just medals when the U.S. Olympic Committee voted to allow the athletes to compete in a country run by a tyrant. Friendship between rivals shows the strong mutual respect between competitors.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Coach often drinks whiskey straight from the bottle/a flask and is rumored to have a drinking problem. He seems intoxicated in one scene. Jesse drinks a couple of times, socially and by himself. College athletes and their friends drink socially.