Here's where we need to talk straight: this PG-13 feels more like a soft R. The MPAA rating cites "drug content, language and some sexual material," which is technically accurate but undersells it.

Language: There are at least 3-4 F-bombs (the PG-13 allowance), plus frequent use of "shit," "ass," "damn," and "hell." One character repeatedly uses crude language about women. It's not Goodfellas, but it's more than most PG-13 comedies.

Drug Content: Multiple scenes feature the elderly characters smoking marijuana, portrayed as harmless fun. Willie gets high with his granddaughter (yes, really), and there's a running joke about edibles. If you're trying to have nuanced conversations about substance use with teens, this movie's "weed is just goofy grandpa medicine" approach isn't helping.

Sexual Content: While there's no nudity or sex scenes, there's surprisingly crude sexual humor—jokes about erectile dysfunction, prostitution, and explicit sexual references that feel out of place in what's marketed as a wholesome seniors-getting-even comedy.

Violence: Minimal. The heist involves toy guns and masks. There's one brief fight scene and some tense moments, but nothing graphic.

Beyond the rating concerns, there are some thematic elements worth considering:

Crime as Justice: The entire premise glorifies bank robbery as righteous revenge. The guys are sympathetic—they got screwed by corporate greed—but the movie never seriously grapples with the ethics. They're heroes for stealing money (even though they only take what they're "owed"), and everyone who helps them is portrayed positively. For younger teens still developing moral reasoning, this black-and-white framing is simplistic.

Ageism and Dignity: On the flip side, the movie does thoughtfully explore how society discards older people. The indignities of aging, the loss of purpose after retirement, and the financial vulnerability of seniors are all handled with genuine empathy. These are actually great conversation starters.

Gender Dynamics: The female characters are pretty thinly written. Ann-Margret plays a love interest whose entire personality is "nice lady who bakes." There are some casually sexist jokes that land with a thud.

Ages 10-13: Skip it. The language alone makes this inappropriate, and the pacing will bore them. If they want a heist movie, try Paddington 2 (seriously—it's a prison break film disguised as a kids' movie and it's perfect).

Ages 14-15: Proceed with caution. Mature 14-year-olds who can handle the language and understand the moral complexity might enjoy it, especially if they're close with grandparents. But honestly? Most teens will find this slow and dated. The humor skews old—there are jokes about prostate exams and AARP that won't land with the TikTok generation.

Ages 16+: Probably fine, though they might not care. If you're watching together and want to discuss corporate greed, aging in America, or the 2008 financial crisis, it could work. But don't expect them to seek it out on their own.

It's genuinely slow: This isn't Ocean's Eleven. The heist planning takes forever, there are long stretches of old guys sitting around talking, and the pacing feels like... well, like a movie about retirees. If your teen has been raised on Marvel movies and YouTube pacing, they'll be checking their phone within 20 minutes.

The cast is doing their best: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin are pros, and they have genuine chemistry. If your family appreciates these actors, that might be enough reason to watch. Christopher Lloyd shows up in a small role that's both funny and kind of sad.

It's weirdly timely: Made in 2017, the movie's themes about corporate exploitation, pension theft, and economic anxiety feel even more relevant now. If you've got a teen interested in economics or social justice, the premise could spark good discussions about systemic inequality and generational wealth.

The ending is unrealistic: Without spoiling it, let's just say the resolution is pure Hollywood fantasy. No consequences, everyone wins, crime pays. If you watch with teens, you might want to discuss what would actually happen in this scenario.

If you're looking for family-friendly heist movies or films about aging with dignity, consider:

For younger kids who want heist energy, Despicable Me or The Lego Movie deliver the goods without the baggage.

If you do watch Going in Style with your teen, here are some conversation starters:

About the premise: "Do you think what they did was justified? When, if ever, is breaking the law okay?"

About aging: "How did the movie portray getting older? What surprised you about their situation?"

About the financial crisis: "The movie mentions the 2008 crash. Do you know what happened?" (This could lead to a valuable discussion about financial literacy.)

About the humor: "Some of the jokes felt dated to me. What did you think?" (Teens are often more perceptive about casual sexism and ageism than we expect.)

Going in Style is a mediocre heist comedy with a stacked cast and a PG-13 rating that doesn't tell the whole story. The language, drug content, and sexual humor make it inappropriate for middle schoolers, and the pacing makes it unappealing to most high schoolers.

If you're looking for a movie to watch with your 14-year-old, there are better options. If you're looking for something to watch with your own parents, it might hit differently—the themes of aging and economic vulnerability are genuinely moving, even if the execution is clunky.

Watch it if: You love the cast, you want to discuss corporate greed and aging with an older teen, or you're okay with the language and slow pacing.

Skip it if: Your kid is under 14, you're sensitive to frequent profanity, or you want an actually exciting heist movie.

And if your teen is genuinely interested in the ethics of Robin Hood-style justice, that's actually a fascinating conversation—let's explore that together.