Deepwater Horizon is a movie based on the real-life disaster of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. While it tells a story of courage and survival, it also vividly portrays the intense and catastrophic events that occurred. This parents guide is designed to provide detailed information about the movie’s content, specifically focusing on violence and gore, to help you decide if it’s appropriate for your children. Understanding the level of intensity in Deepwater Horizon is crucial for families considering watching this film.
Violence and Gore Breakdown in Deepwater Horizon
Deepwater Horizon contains significant scenes of violence and intense disaster-related gore. The film realistically depicts the chaos and destruction of an oil rig explosion, which includes loud noises, fire, and graphic depictions of injuries. Here’s a breakdown of the types of scenes you can expect:
Intense Explosion and Disaster Scenes
The movie features extensive scenes of explosions and the escalating disaster on the oil rig. These are visually and audibly intense and may be frightening, especially for younger viewers.
- Initial Derrick Collapse: The film opens with a tense scene where a derrick is unstable and ultimately collapses. A man attempting to secure it is caught in the fall and shown dead after being slammed onto the deck. This sets a tone of danger and potential fatalities early in the movie.
- Mud and Oil Geysers: A major part of the disaster involves massive geysers of mud, oil, and cement erupting on the rig. These scenes are chaotic, showing men being violently thrown around, slammed into walls, and off the rig. The visual effects emphasize the force and unpredictable nature of the disaster. The underwater scenes of gas bubbles and machinery failures visually build tension leading up to these explosions.
- Massive Rig Explosions and Fire: The core of the film’s intensity lies in the extended depiction of the oil rig exploding and burning. These are not brief explosions; the rig burns for an extended period with multiple large explosions that fill the screen with fireballs and smoke. The sounds are loud and impactful, and the visuals include metal structures breaking apart, derricks swinging wildly, and men being thrown around by the force of the explosions. The water around the rig also catches fire, adding to the sense of inescapable disaster.
Graphic Injury Depictions
Beyond the explosions, the movie shows the immediate and aftermath injuries to the crew members. These depictions can be graphic and disturbing.
- Explosion Injuries: One scene is particularly graphic, showing a man thrown from a shower stall by an explosion and slammed into a wall. The aftermath shows him covered in grime, oil, and cement, with a burned and cut face, swollen eyes, and bleeding cuts all over his body. He is then shown pulling a large shard of glass from his heel, with audible screams of pain.
- Leg Injury and Amputation: Another intense scene involves a man trapped with his leg stuck in the rig floor. He is shown covered in blood and screaming in pain. To free him, other men resort to cutting part of his leg. While the amputation itself might be partially obscured, the intense screaming, blood, and implication of limb loss are present.
- Burning and Aftermath: There are scenes of men catching fire, though others quickly extinguish the flames. The aftermath of injuries is also shown, including bruised and burned faces, stitched cuts, and a man using crutches, indicating the lasting physical impact of the disaster.
Traumatic and Intense Situations
Beyond physical violence and gore, the film portrays emotionally intense and traumatic situations.
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Fear and Desperation: The dialogue includes phrases like “I don’t wanna die!” screamed repeatedly by a woman amidst explosions, emphasizing the terror and desperation of those trapped. There’s also a scene of survivors praying the Lord’s Prayer, highlighting the extreme emotional and spiritual impact of the events.
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Loss and Death: The film explicitly states the loss of all crew in the drill house. Snapshots of men who died are shown, making the human cost of the disaster personal and impactful. The death of an oil-covered pelican adds a symbolic layer of environmental and wider tragedy.
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Arguments and Conflict: Even before the major explosions, there are scenes of arguments about safety and ignoring warnings, creating a sense of impending doom and human negligence contributing to the disaster. The post-disaster scene in the hotel lobby with a crying woman demanding information further underscores the emotional fallout.
Parents Guide and Considerations for Deepwater Horizon
Deepwater Horizon is rated PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language. However, the level of intensity, particularly in the explosion scenes and injury depictions, pushes the boundaries of PG-13. For younger or sensitive viewers, the movie is likely too intense and potentially frightening.
Specifically, parents should be aware of:
- Prolonged and Realistic Disaster Sequences: The explosions are not quick; they are extended and feel very real, which can be overwhelming.
- Graphic Injury Detail: While not excessively gory compared to R-rated horror films, the injuries are depicted realistically enough to be disturbing for some.
- High Stakes and Loss of Life: The film deals with a real-life tragedy involving significant loss of life, which can be emotionally heavy.
- Loud Noises and Intense Sound Design: The sound design is crucial in creating the immersive and intense experience of the disaster, which can be distressing for those sensitive to loud noises.
Recommendation:
- Teenagers and Older: For older teenagers and adults, Deepwater Horizon can be a powerful and impactful film, especially for those interested in disaster movies or true stories of survival.
- Younger Children: It is not recommended for young children.
- Sensitive Viewers: Even for older viewers, consider sensitivity to intense violence, gore, and disaster scenarios.
Ultimately, parental discretion is advised. Consider your child’s maturity level and sensitivity to intense scenes before deciding if Deepwater Horizon is appropriate for them. Understanding the detailed breakdown of violence and gore in this guide should assist you in making an informed decision for your family.
