Before Sunset: parents' guide
Best for ages 16 and up. Rated R for language and sexual references.
A talky, romantic drama for older teens and adults: nine years after one night in Vienna, Jesse and Céline reunite in Paris and walk and talk through the hour before his flight home. There's no violence and no sex on screen, but they discuss sex frankly, including what happened on their earlier night together, and Jesse is married with a young son, so the open ending hints at infidelity. Strong language spikes during an emotional conversation late in the film. Mature teens who enjoy conversation-driven films may love it, and it suits 16 and up.
What's in it
Violence
NoneNo violence of any kind. The darkest moments are conversations about a grandmother's funeral and personal unhappiness.
Language
StrongOne count found five f-words, several during a heated, emotional exchange in a car near the end, plus 11 scatological terms, two obscene hand gestures and some milder cursing.
Sex and nudity
ModerateNo sex or nudity is shown, but the conversation includes frank, sometimes explicit sexual talk, including memories of the couple's night together in Vienna. The ending suggests they may sleep together despite his marriage.
Drinking, drugs and smoking
ModerateAdults drink and smoke casually on screen. No one gets drunk and there is no drug use.
Scary or intense scenes
NoneNothing scary. Talk of loneliness, an unhappy marriage and a relative's death is wistful rather than upsetting.
Worth talking about
Jesse and Céline both wonder whether they missed their chance at love. What do you think about the idea of 'the one,' and about choices made when you're young?
On our lists
Similar picks around 16+
Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, the MPA, bbfc.co.uk, Wikipedia, moviemom.com, Kids-In-Mind, en.wikiquote.org. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.