BlacKkKlansman Parent Guide

Based (surprisingly) on a true story, BlacKkKlansman follows Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), the only African-American police officer in Colorado Springs. Although Stallworth is initially assigned to the records room, where he is subject to racial harassment from other officers, he really wants to work undercover. His big break comes when the department needs someone to blend in at a rally held by the local Black Students Union. His bosses quickly realize his value to the force and Stallworth is permanently reassigned as an undercover officer. While investigating the Ku Klux Klan, Stallworth accidentally uses his real name. Rather than abandon the operation, Stallworth continues to handle the phone calls for the investigation, while his Jewish co-worker Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) handles the in-person meetings. Stallworth and Zimmerman are working against the clock: the Klan seems to be planning something big, but can the detectives maintain their cover long enough to stop them?

Director Spike Lee walks a fine line in this movie, balancing complex, racially sensitive issues with strong comic elements. His success is apparent: the film is in equal measure hysterically funny and deeply chilling.

Although BlacKkKlansman succeeds on its own terms, these are not parameters which will make most parents happy. Its Restricted rating is completely appropriate: this movie should not be watched by children. The violent content is less extreme than could be expected but there is a fair bit of pushing and shoving, footage of war and other violence, and a major explosion. There is no nudity or explicit sexual content, but there are too many jokes which are both vulgar and explicit regarding genitalia and sexual activity. Alcohol and tobacco use are also moderate for a Restricted film, with minor social drinking and historically appropriate smoking. This movie’s biggest flaw is its overwhelming levels of profanity: there are 230 profanities in a 135 minute film which, based on a quick back-of-my-notes calculation, gives an average of 1.7 curse words per minute. And these aren’t minor profanities. The film contains over 70 racial and ethnic slurs – as can be expected in a movie featuring the KKK – with derogatory terms being aimed primarily at African Americans as well as at Jews, Italians, Hispanics, and homosexuals. There is also extensive use of a sexual expletive: it clocks in around six dozen.

The excessive use of profanity in BlacKkKlansman is particularly unfortunate because the film provides positive messages about racism, teamwork, and persistence. It also exposes the vicious ugliness of white nationalism. Had Spike Lee cleaned up the language in this movie, it could have made a greater contribution to the national discussion on race and equality.