X-Files Parent Guide
Parent Movie Review
Many parents have expressed concerns about the content of the X-Files television series, even though some critics claim it’s creative, innovating and intriguing. What’s surprising is this PG-13 rated production is neither innovative nor full of the usual satanic and paranormal themes.
For you non X-fans, the film is based on the same characters (and actors) as the series. Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are FBI agents who investigate paranormal activities—thus the X-files. This time their boss has a more practical assignment in mind, and sends Mulder and Scully to work on an anti-terrorism unit, where their first job is to locate a bomb placed in a high-rise building.
This is the beginning one of those complicated plots that has the person beside you whispering, “Who’s that guy again?” Scully and Mulder untangle a huge multi-government coverup where little green men are invading the planet thanks to a deal they cut with some bureaucrats. And as movies so often remind us, the aliens are not to be trusted, because their intentions are far more destructive than what they originally proposed. In short, it’s up to our heroic duo to save the planet.
Violence is the key concern for parents who have children anxious to view this film. Two shootings are particularly graphic, both of them to the head with one resulting in death. Other scenes offer many tense moments, although none that I would term horrifying. Language is limited to moderate profanities but terms of Deity are often used for expletives. As for the implied relationship between Scully and Mulder that all X-fans have been wondering about, all I can contribute is the sexual content is practically none—after all, these two are busy people.
Parents may find this film appropriate for older teens, but preview it first, and be forewarned, the more diverse themes offered in the television series may not meet your standards.
Starring David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson. Updated October 11, 2012