Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that The Program is a biopic about once-acclaimed bicycle racer Lance Armstrong (Ben Foster). The movie follows the trajectory of Armstrong's career as he wins the grueling Tour de France an unprecedented seven times -- all the while, it turns out, depending on performance-enhancing drugs. Many scenes show Armstrong and his fellow athletes getting shots and taking IV drugs to boost their riding abilities, but in the end the message is that the truth will eventually come out, and cheaters don't come out ahead. Expect some social drinking and strong language (mostly "s--t" and "f--k"). If parents watch with their teens, the movie could serve as an entry point to discuss the consequences of drug use.

Sexual Content

Not applicable

Violence

A few sequences show harrowing bicycle crashes at high speed. Some yelling/heated arguments.

Language

Language includes "s--t" and "f--k."

Social Behavior

The truth will eventually come out, no matter how hard people try to hide things; the bigger the deception, the more likely it is to be revealed. In the end, cheaters don't come out ahead.

Consumerism

Armstrong's team sponsors, Morotola and U.S. Postal Service, are named and shown frequently. Other sponsors' logos are also shown, including American Airlines.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Some social drinking at meals and pubs. The bulk of the movie is about bicycle racers taking performance-enhancing drugs; many scenes show them taking shots or getting IV treatments, and even more show them lying about it and planning how to hide it.