Straw Dogs

Why Is Straw Dogs Rated R?

This additional information about the movie’s content is taken from the notes of various Canadian Film Classification boards:

Violence:

- Frequent and prolonged portrayals of graphic violence.

- Violent acts shown in clear and realistic with detailed blood and tissue damage.

- Gory and grotesque images.

- Portrayals of suffering under duress.

- Depictions of fighting, beating, shooting, stabbing and mutilation.


- Scene depicting automobile accident.

- Portrayals of sexual assault with brief buttock nudity and some detail.

- Frequent disturbing scenes.

- Some scenes may frighten children.

Sexual Content:

- Brief buttock nudity is seen during portrayals of sexual assault.

- Implied sexual activity.

- Simulated sexual activity.

- Fondling.

- Embracing and kissing.

- Sexual references and innuendo.

Language:

- Pervasive use of the sexual expletive and variations in sexual and non-sexual contexts.

- Frequent use of scatological slang, profanity and cursing.

- Infrequent use of developmental slurs.

Drugs and Alcohol:

- Tobacco use

- Some substance abuse.

On September 27, 2011, The Ontario Film Review Board reconsidered the rating it had previously given Straw Dogs.

Previously rated: Rated 14A - Coarse Language, Sexual Content, Graphic Violence.

Classification Changed to: 18A - Coarse Language, Sexual Content, Graphic Violence.

Classifiers Noted:

- Occasional gory/grotesque images

- Coarse language

- Slurs

- Sexual references

- Scenes that may cause a child brief anxiety, or fear

- Embracing and kissing

- Mild sexual innuendo

- Fondling

- Implied sexual activity

- Tobacco use

- Violent acts shown in clear, unequivocal and realistic detail with blood and tissue damage

- Limited instances of brief, visually explicit portrayals of violence