Words of War Parent Guide
A moving tale, powerfully told.
Parent Movie Review
Where does courage come from? Why are some people willing to risk their lives to expose the truth? Are they driven by belief in a cause or concern for others? The impressive biopic Words of War explores these questions as it depicts the life and work of Anna Politkovskaya (Maxine Peak), a real-life Russian journalist.
Anna is an empathetic interviewer whose popular column shakes up her readers by exposing governmental corruption and human suffering. Fortunately, she works for an independent newsmagazine and isn’t smothered by the blanket of censorship imposed on government-controlled media. But when her editor, Dmitry (Ciaran Hinds), agrees that she can travel to the secessionist republic of Chechnya and see how the war with Russia is impacting the lives of Chechens, Anna comes to the attention of the Russian government – and its controlling president, Vladimir Putin.
After the fall of Communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union, reporters enjoyed a period of press freedom, but that window is closing fast in the early 2000s. Putin launched his career in the KGB (the USSR’s security agency), and now that’s president, he isn’t afraid to use violence against anyone who threatens him – even if that someone is an unassuming reporter whose convictions are stronger than her sense of caution.
For a biopic, Words of War feels a lot like a thriller thanks to its unrelenting tension. From the first scene in which Anna is poisoned, to her harrowing encounters in Chechnya, to the intimidation tactics employed against her, this film is designed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. I am already familiar with Anna’s story, and I was still stressed out, which tells you how well the movie is written and paced.
From my perspective as a critic, it’s a rare treat to watch a film that I feel no need to criticize. The story is moving, the script compelling, the acting superb. The cast is a reminder of the depth of the British acting bench – Maxine Peak is a superb Anna, humane and driven; Jason Isaacs is her husband, Sasha, crumbling under the strain of her work; Ciaran Hinds is her editor, burdened by the losses of brave reporters, and Harry Lawtey is her son, Ilya, who is both terrified and furious about the risks Anna takes. This film has the power to rip your heart out – and it’s all thanks to the cast.
The only issue I need to raise is that of negative content, primarily violence and profanity. The violence is not a surprise, given the movie’s subject. However, it is not gratuitous or gory and even when it is shown on screen, violence tends to be brief. As for profanity, the movie has sixteen sexual expletives and an assortment of other profanities. The Restricted rating is fair, but this is a pretty soft “R” and is suitable for mature teens who are interested in journalism or the devolution of a society into authoritarianism.
While the negative content isn’t ideal, I think this film’s positive messages make it worth watching. Anna’s determination, courage, and devotion to the truth are inspiring, and her words are prophetic: “I dislike Putin because he despises his people. He sees us simply as a means to his ends, a means for the achievement and retention of power. He believes he can do with us as he sees fit because we are nobody while he who chance has enabled to clamber to the top is today Tsar and God. In Russia we have had leaders with this outlook before. It led to tragedy, to bloodshed on a vast scale and to civil wars.”
I only wish that history had not proved her right.
Directed by James Strong. Starring Maxine Peake, Ciarán Hinds, Jason Isaacs. Running time: 117 minutes. Theatrical release May 2, 2025. Updated April 30, 2025Watch the trailer for Words of War
Words of War
Rating & Content Info
Why is Words of War rated R? Words of War is rated R by the MPAA for violence and language.
Violence: A woman collapses and convulses after being poisoned. A child slaps an adult’s face, knocking her over. A woman slaps the face of her adult son in an argument. Scenes shot in a war zone involve gunshots and explosions. A child is heard crying after explosions. Soldiers punch a woman and use a rifle to destroy her tape recorder. There’s mention of torture and murder. A man threatens a woman with slitting her throat. A man utters veiled threats to a woman. A man stalks a woman. A woman receives death threats over the phone that threaten death and dismemberment, and feature gunshots. A soldier describes war crimes – digging trenches for mass murders of civilians. Human remains are briefly seen at the site of a mass murder. There are photographs of dead civilians in trenches and mention of torture. A civilian is pursued and abducted by soldiers who beat him, and kill him: his dead body is later shown on screen. There are scenes of angry men yelling at a woman. Terrorists attack a theater: they fire weapons and take people hostage before soldiers gas the entire building, killing most people inside. Soldiers shoot people who have been gassed. There is mention of a school being stormed and children taken hostage by terrorists who set off a bomb, killing hundreds. A person is shot and killed on screen. Photos of murdered journalists are shown.
Sexual Content: A woman announces her pregnancy.
Profanity: The script contains approximately three dozen profanities, including 16 sexual expletives, a half dozen or so terms of deity and scatological curses, and a handful of minor profanities. There is also a single homophobic slur.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Adults smoke cigarettes frequently. Adults drink alcohol in social situations and alone; a man becomes intoxicated.
Page last updated April 30, 2025
Words of War Parents' Guide
For more about Anna Politkovskaya, Vladimir Putin’s regime, and the war in Chechnya, you can follow these links:
The Guardian: Anna Politkovskaya
Wikipedia: Anna Politkovskaya
The New York Times: Why Anna Politkovskaya Was a Pillar of Press Freedom
The Guardian: Telling the incredible tale of Anna Politkovskaya has taught me one thing: I could never be that brave
BBC: Chechnya profile
Wikipedia: Second Chechen War crimes and terrorism
Journal of Democracy: Why Vladimir Putin’s Luck Ran Out
BBC: Vladimir Putin: From Russia’s KGB to a long presidency defined by war in Ukraine
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Two Decades On, Smoldering Questions About the Russian President’s Vault to Power
Carnegie Endowment: How the Putin Regime Subverted the Soviet Legacy
Loved this movie? Try these books…
Several of Anna Politkovskaya’s books have been translated into English, including Putin’s Russia, A Dirty War, Nothing but the Truth, A Russian Diary, Is Journalism Worth Dying For? Final Dispatches, and A Small Corner of Hell: Dispatches from Chechnya.
Home Video
Related home video titles:
Reporting in Russia has never been easy: Mr. Jones tells the tale of a Welsh reporter who enraged the Stalinist regime by reporting on the man-made famine in Ukraine.
War reporting also leaves scars. American journalist, Elizabeth Miller, aka Lee, is determined to report from the front during World War II. But she is never able to forget the horrors she sees.
Other films about people willing to sacrifice for the truth and honor include Official Secrets, A Man for All Seasons, and The Post.