The Fall Guy Parents Guide

Releasing in theaters on May 3, 2024, The Fall Guy promises to be one of the most hilarious and stunt-filled action movies of the year. Directed by David Leitch (Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2) and starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, it’s a high-octane revival of the classic 1980s TV series. However, parents need to be prepared for the film’s hard R-rating and abundance of adult content before deciding if it’s appropriate family viewing.

The Fall Guy Parents Guide – Plot and Story Summary

Ryan Gosling stars as Colt Seavers, a washed-up stuntman barely scraping by after a tragic accident ended his career. When his ex-girlfriend Jody (Emily Blunt), now a big movie star, has her co-star go missing, she hires Colt to use his underworld connections to track him down before her film’s release. Desperate for money, Colt takes the gig, getting entangled in an outrageous crime caper filled with death-defying stunts, crazy action, and offbeat romance.

With its edgy premise, stunt pedigree, and charismatic leads, The Fall Guy has all the makings of a riotous good time for mature audiences. However, it earns its R-rating through a torrent of extreme violence, pervasive language, sexuality/nudity, and substance abuse that make it entirely unsuitable for young viewers. Only desensitized older teens and adults can fully appreciate its cleverly choreographed mayhem and adult sense of humor.

Violence/Gore

Expect prolific and shockingly graphic violence throughout. Bone-crunching fight choreography with gruesome sound effects. Bloody gunshot wounds. Bashed and crushed bones/limbs. People impaled and maimed in brutal stunt mishaps. Vehicular carnage like explosions and wrecks. Characters die in disturbing ways. All part of the excessively violent dark comedy tone.

Profanity

Nonstop use of f-bombs, s***, and virtually every other harsh profanity from the main characters. Consistent crude sexual references, raunchy insults, slurs, and vulgar humor.

Sex/Nudity

Several graphic sex scenes with nudity, including a very explicit one between Gosling and Blunt. Topless/nude scenes. Suggestive dancing and objectification. Constant crude sexual dialog and innuendos.

Frightening/Intense Scenes

Feeling of near-constant tension and peril with violent action set pieces. Dark thriller elements like kidnapping, organized crime, and murder. Jump scares and disturbing imagery. Psychological trauma and PTSD themes.

Substance Use

Rampant alcohol consumption like drinking hard liquor. Pervasive smoking of cigarettes. Repeated depictions of recreational drug use and paraphernalia. Characters often under the influence.

Celebrating Stunt Craft with an Edgy, Adult Lens

For all its edgy content, The Fall Guy aims to be a loving ode to the stunt profession and innovative stunt choreography. Aaron Taylor-Johnson received a Golden Globe nod for his dramatic turn as the missing actor, while Winston Duke and Hannah Waddingham shine in key supporting roles.

However, the film pulls no punches in portraying the industry’s gritty underbelly through the lives of its central jaded, self-destructive characters. Every stunt is captured graphically, with an unflinching depiction of the gruesome risks and casualties. The constant barrage of extreme violence, gore, and profane humor underscores this cynical yet affectionate look at movie magic.

Ultimately, The Fall Guy delivers exactly what it promises – a deliriously over-the-top, stunt-filled buddy action-comedy fueled by Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s phenomenal chemistry. Fans of their previous adult-skewing hits like The Nice Guys and Deadpool 2 will find much to enjoy in the mayhem and irreverence.

Just don’t bring the whole family or anyone under 17. The relentless mature content across the board cements The Fall Guy as squarely for grownup viewing audiences only. With proper guidance and context, some very mature older teens may be able to appreciate the social satire and technical artistry on display. But for most, it’s simply too excessively vulgar, bloody, and shocking to be age-appropriate.

Parents’ Bottom Line

The Fall Guy brings the edgy sizzle thanks to its dream pairing of Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. David Leitch delivers another visually dazzling stunt-filled spectacle that’s sure to be a wildly entertaining time at the movies for mature viewers.

However, the constant barrage of graphic violence, harsh profanity, explicit sexuality/nudity, and vice galore underlines why this is exclusively meant for older teen and adult-only audiences. Its over-the-top indulgence in edgy mature content, no matter how cleverly executed, makes it entirely inappropriate and inadvisable to bring young kids or pre-teens.

For desensitized older viewers up for the ride, The Fall Guy celebrates stunt craft through the audacious R-rated buddy action-comedy lens only talents like Gosling, Blunt, and Leitch can provide. Everyone else is better off skipping this gleefully excessive romp until they’re old enough to appreciate its twisted genius. You’ve been warned – this is one fun but undeniably hard R.