Netflix’s latest movie, Under Paris, has quickly become a sensation, captivating audiences with its thrilling premise of sharks invading the Seine River. However, with its central theme of man-eating sharks and intense sequences, parents are naturally wondering if Under Paris is appropriate for their children. While the movie has climbed to the top of Netflix’s charts, surpassing even Godzilla Minus One, it’s essential to consider its content before family movie night. Unlike the classic shark movie Jaws, which despite its terrifying reputation carries a PG rating, Under Paris takes a different approach to its scares. This guide will help parents understand what to expect and determine if Under Paris is suitable for younger viewers.
Understanding the TV-MA Rating of Under Paris
Under Paris streams directly on Netflix, and while it doesn’t receive an MPA rating like theatrical releases, it does carry a TV-MA rating from the FCC. This rating is crucial for parents as it signifies content intended for mature audiences only. A TV-MA rating is comparable to an R-rating for movies, indicating that the content is strictly for adults. For Under Paris, the TV-MA designation is due to several factors, including gore, strong language, and intense violence. It’s important to note that the rating is not due to sexual content, as Under Paris contains none.
Content to Consider for Younger Viewers
Parents need to be aware of specific content elements in Under Paris that contribute to its TV-MA rating and make it unsuitable for children:
Gore and Violence
The most significant factor making Under Paris inappropriate for children is its graphic violence and gore. The film features numerous shark attack scenes that are depicted in a bloody and explicit manner. For instance, viewers witness a scene where a shark breaches the water with a person in its jaws, shown from an overhead perspective. Furthermore, the aftermath of attacks includes disturbing imagery, such as a severed arm floating in the water. The climax of the movie escalates the gore, featuring a particularly gruesome scene where two sharks work together to tear a woman in half. These scenes are not suggestive; they are visually graphic and could be highly disturbing for children.
Jump Scares
Beyond the gore, Under Paris relies heavily on jump scares to create tension and fright. These sudden, startling moments can be particularly overwhelming for young viewers, who may be more sensitive to this type of cinematic technique. The intensity of the jump scares in Under Paris adds to the overall level of mature content.
Language
While not the primary driver of the TV-MA rating, Under Paris does include strong language. Specifically, the movie contains two instances of the F-word along with two obscene hand gestures. While the limited use of strong language might be less impactful than the violence, it still contributes to the film’s mature rating and is worth considering for parents sensitive to language in media.
Age Appropriateness: Is Under Paris Suitable for Children?
Considering the TV-MA rating and the content described, Under Paris is definitively not suitable for young children. The level of gore, violence, and jump scares is simply too intense for younger viewers and could be frightening or disturbing. Teenagers who are already accustomed to on-screen violence might be able to watch Under Paris, but parents should exercise caution and consider their teen’s maturity level and sensitivity to graphic content.
For families looking for shark-themed entertainment that is appropriate for children, the PG-rated classic Jaws remains a much safer option. While Jaws is still a suspenseful thriller, it relies more on suspense and suggestion than explicit gore, making it accessible to a broader audience, including older children. It’s important to remember that the PG rating for Jaws was established before the PG-13 rating existed, so it represents a level of content suitable for general audiences with parental guidance, unlike the mature content of Under Paris.
In conclusion, Under Paris is firmly aimed at adult audiences due to its gore, violence, and intense sequences. Parents seeking family-friendly viewing should steer clear of Under Paris and consider gentler alternatives like Jaws for a less intense shark movie experience.
A woman is swallowed by a jumping shark in Under Paris
