Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that The Congress is an offbeat, partly animated film that examines the cost of allowing all-powerful business interests to take over every aspect of life. Robin Wright plays an actress with the same name who's offered the chance to let a big movie studio "scan" her body and emotions for use in other projects. Some of the animated sequences include graphic violence (with some blood) and sex (including bare breasts), and there's a good deal of swearing ("f--k," "s--t," etc.). Characters also drink and use substances. Just because it's animated, don't assume this complex tale is for kids.
Sexual
Content
One animated scene features a couple having sex. It's relatively long and somewhat graphic, showing plenty of intertwined limbs, vigorous motions, and the woman's breasts.
Violence
Several extended animated scenes feature invading armies engaged in close combat. People are shot at point-blank range, there are plenty of explosions, and there's a good deal of blood and gore that's still intense even though it's animated. Many of the soldiers wear gas masks and other gear that looks especially intimidating.
Language
Fairly frequent swearing includes "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," and more.
Social
Behavior
Reality is better than living in a fantasy world, even if the imaginary realm offers the chance to permanently avoid a bleak, grim life. That's a tough lesson to learn for many of the characters here, who spend a good deal of time enjoying the pleasures of an animated simulation of life before realizing that real life is a better choice. Still, there can be reasons why escaping back into the fantasy version has its appeal. The story also raises questions related to ownership of your own body and feelings that are relevant in the digital age.
Consumerism
The villain of the film is the movie studio Miramax, which is often mentioned by name.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Some characters drink during meals and at social occasions. Much of the film is based on the concept of people using chemical substances to permanently escape into a fantasy land. The animated characters also drink and consume other substances, which often have very unusual effects.
