Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Selma follows the events leading up to 1965's momentous Selma-to-Montgomery civil rights march organized by Martin Luther King Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference to campaign for voters' rights. Narrowly focused on the time leading up to the march, Selma provides a historical context for how each of the group's campaigns concentrated on raising awareness about a different issue in the segregated South. Expect several intense, disturbing scenes of race-based violence perpetrated against the non-violent protesters, including protesters being beaten bloody with sticks, weapons, and even whips. Others are killed, including innocent girls in a church that's blown up. Despite the historically accurate violence and the occasional strong language (ranging from "f--k" and "s--t" to frequent racial slurs) -- as well as a subplot about infidelity -- this is a powerful, educational drama that parents should watch with their mature tweens and teens.

Sexual Content

A few kisses and embraces between couples. One scene in which Coretta listens to a recording of two people having sex, presumably to make her think it's her husband and a mistress. Coretta and Martin have a conversation about his infidelity.

Violence

Southern whites terrorize the black marchers and potential voters -- attacking them with sticks, bats, guns, barbed stakes, and even whips. Selma police use tear gas and batons to viciously beat protestors until they're bloody and unable to walk. Angry segregationists blow up a church, killing four girls; they also beat a white clergyman to death. MLK and his friends refer to lynchings and the murders of Medgar Evars, Malcolm X, and Robert F. Kennedy.

Language

Infrequent (except for the racial slurs) use of words including "f--k," "s--," "bulls--t," "ass," and "goddamn." Much more frequent use of the "N" word, "nigras," "negroes," "coon," "white n----r," "bastard," and more.

Social Behavior

Reveals the triumphs and challenges of the civil rights movement and the importance of gathering a diverse community to fight institutional racism in the Jim Crow South. Shows how the civil rights workers put their lives and privacy at risk in the face of tremendous odds.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not applicable