Parents Guide for
Requiem for a Dream (2000) More at IMDbPro »

Note: The number at the beginning of each section refers to how much explicit content of that kind there is in the film on a scale of 1-10. The fraction at the end of the last section is the total sum of the sections over the highest sum possible (50) and is therefore an approximation of about how explicit the film is a whole.

Sex & Nudity: 10

There is a scene with a couple having sex, (very graphically shown, with nudity) for about 30 seconds.

In the uncut version of the movie two girls go "ASS TO ASS" on a two sided dildo. They do this for a small bag of heroin each. In the R-Version this scene is less graphic

One scene is in an adultclub, so dancers are shown topless (briefly shown).

A woman stands in front of a mirror, showing frontal nudity (Non-sexual).

A girl performs oral sex for drugs.

A nude man is shown; we see his butt.

An orgy is shown from the distance.

Violence & Gore: 8

Several people are shot offscreen, however we see the bloody results on another man.

There is a scene where an arm is amputated, and its graphically shown.

We see two people putting a body in a dumpster.

A woman is given ECT, her face is full of pain.

There's a horrible infected wound on a man's arm.

We see a man inject himself with drugs in the infected wound.

We see a woman stab a man in the hand brutally with a fork.

Profanity: 7

Contains frequent coarse language and standard R-rated profanity.

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: 8

The main theme of the movie is that 3 of the 4 characters are heroin addicts. The other is addicted to diet pills, which cause her to hallucinate.

This movie has nearly-nonstop use of heroin and constant scenes of a woman hallucinating due to the pills she takes.

Several scenes are shown in a bar with other background characters drinking and smoking.

(Note) The main focus of this movie is drugs and their effects on people over a period of time. Although, like in some movies, they are not displayed in a good light. Jared Leto's character, Jennifer Connely's character, and Marlon Wayan's character in the movie are all addicted to heroin or cocaine, and Harry's mother (Ellen Burstyn) is addicted to 50's weight loss drugs (Speed, or amphetamines).

Frightening/Intense Scenes: 7

The drug sequences are very intensely shown, (Not as intense in the R Rated version).

A festering wound in Harry's arm that is brought on by extensive heroin use is quite disturbing also. Harry also injects heroin into the festering wound, which is quite graphic.

The forced lesbian act, (At the end of the unrated version.) Is quite intense and could almost be considered rape.

A scene where 4 gang members are sitting in a car and unexpectedly one is shot and killed, sending the others in a panic.

The scene where the woman is given ECT treatment is also quite disturbing, as her face is showing a lot of pain.

Towards the end, there is a montage of all of the main characters in the movie in a state of pain or humiliation. It is extremely intense and explicit.

The movie as a whole is very intense and frightening and will most likely disturb most viewers.

An idea of how accurate the TECE (below) is: 5-10 is a little-kid suitable, G-Rated type of film (i.e. Care Bears, Sleeping Beauty); 10-15 is going to be a little harsher, but not by much (i.e. The Incredibles); 15-20 could be pretty high up there (i.e. Indiana Jones), 20-25 is going to pretty darn adult (i.e. The Dark Knight); 25-30 is going to be a film most likely not suitable for anyone under 17 (i.e. Braveheart); 30-40 is going to be an absolutely, positively adults-only film (i.e. THIS) and if a movie has ever gone past 40, then I haven't heard of it.

Total Explicit Content Estimation: 40/50.