Is The Game appropriate for children?

# The Game - Parental Guide This R-rated thriller follows a wealthy banker whose brother gives him a mysterious "game" that becomes increasingly dangerous and disturbing. The film contains strong violence and language, moderate sexual content, and intense psychological scares designed to unsettle viewers. It's not appropriate for children and is best suited for mature audiences who enjoy complex, dark thrillers.

What age is The Game suitable for?

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

Is The Game safe for children? | ScreenWise Parent Guide

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

Strong

🗣️

Language / Profanity

Strong

🔞

Sexual Content

Moderate

👻

Horror / Scary

Moderate

About this movie

Type

Movie

Released

1997

Rating

Genre

Drama, Thriller, Mystery

Synopsis

In honor of his birthday, San Francisco banker Nicholas Van Orton, a financial genius and a cold-hearted loner, receives an unusual present from his younger brother, Conrad: a gift certificate to play a unique kind of game. In nary a nanosecond, Nicholas finds himself consumed by a dangerous set of ever-changing rules, unable to distinguish where the charade ends and reality begins.

Cast

Michael Douglas

Nicholas Van Orton

Sean Penn

Conrad Van Orton

Deborah Kara Unger

Christine

James Rebhorn

Jim Feingold

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

The Shawshank Redemption

Not recommended

Forrest Gump

Not recommended

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