Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a slick adaptation of the '60s TV spy drama about Russian and American secret agents who must team up to save both nations from a nuclear threat. Directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) and Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger), the movie should appeal to teens and fans of quick, stylized action films. There are scenes of violence, fighting, torture, and execution-style murders, but the worst moments are usually handled off-camera -- as is the sex, which is referenced and hinted at, but not shown (although a topless woman wearing sheer underwear is shown from behind). Characters do banter in loaded/teasing ways, as well as drink and smoke (accurate for the era). The language is fairly mild for a Ritchie film ("p---y" is the strongest word), and, despite the now-dated depiction of women in the original show, the main female character in the movie is integral to the plot -- and pretty fearless.
Sexual
Content
Plenty of innuendoes/references to sex ("all turned on now," "I gave it all I've got," etc.). Napoleon is a serial womanizer (it's even in his file), and he sleeps with at least two women in the movie. The first encounter is shown after the fact; a woman wearing lacy, see-through underpants (and no top) walks away from him. In the second, there's kissing and moaning, but the sex (and even kissing) is off camera (although the floor shakes beneath them). Illya and Gaby pretend to be engaged and must sleep in the same hotel. They dance, rough-house, wrestle, and look at each other longingly -- but they stop short of kissing. One memorable "top" and "bottom" joke will likely go over most audiences' heads.
Violence
Fist fights, brawls, shoot outs, and execution-style murders, but nothing gets particularly gory. A man is electrocuted in a torture chamber, but it happens in the background; viewers see smoke and fire, not the actual death. Same for when a truck lands on a boat -- the death of those on board is implied, but there are no close-ups of dead bodies. There are shots of dead bodies in the film, but they're brief and not bloody.
Language
Language includes "p---y," "idiot," "balls," and "hell."
Social
Behavior
The main characters eventually put teamwork and collaboration above selfish interests. Movie also stresses that just because you have a reputation for being a certain way doesn't mean you can't surprise others (and yourself) by behaving very differently.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Adults drink and smoke cigarettes in several scenes -- usually at parties, but in one sequence a woman drinks straight from a bottle and acts drunk.