Is Gattaca appropriate for children?

# Gattaca Parental Guide *Gattaca* is a thoughtful sci-fi thriller about genetic discrimination, but it's not ideal for younger children. Despite the PG-13 rating, it contains strong sexual content and violence, plus complex themes about identity and societal pressure that older teens would better understand and appreciate.

What age is Gattaca suitable for?

Our verdict for Gattaca is: Not recommended. See the age grid on this page for specific recommendations by age group.

Is Gattaca safe for children? | ScreenWise Parent Guide

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

Strong

🗣️

Language / Profanity

Mild

🔞

Sexual Content

Strong

👻

Horror / Scary

Mild

About this movie

Type

Movie

Released

1997

Rating

PG-13

Genre

Thriller, Science Fiction, Mystery, Romance

Synopsis

Vincent is an all-too-human man who dares to defy a system obsessed with genetic perfection. He is an "In-Valid" who assumes the identity of a member of the genetic elite to pursue his goal of traveling into space with the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation.

Cast

Ethan Hawke

Vincent Freeman

Uma Thurman

Irene Cassini

Jude Law

Jerome Eugene Morrow

Alan Arkin

Detective Hugo

Full cast on IMDb ›

Age suitability

Under 6

Not yet

Ages 6–8

Not recommended

Ages 9–12

Not recommended

Ages 13+

Not recommended

Where to watch

🎬 Find on Amazon

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Parents also checked

Ratings based on MPAA/TV classification and TMDB metadata. Updated March 2026.
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