If your teenager has spent any time on the "F1 side" of TikTok or watched Drive to Survive on Netflix, they’ve likely asked to see this. It’s the gold standard for racing cinema, but it’s a massive tonal shift from the glossy, sanitized version of the sport we see today. While modern Formula One is a multi-billion dollar engineering feat, Rush captures a 1970s era where the cars were essentially "bombs on wheels" and the drivers were rockstars with a high probability of not surviving the season.
The "Lung Vacuum" and the R-Rating
Most parents see a sports movie and assume it’s a safe bet for a 12-year-old. That is a mistake here. The R rating isn't just for a few stray words; it’s for a visceral, 1970s-style grit. There is a specific scene involving a medical procedure to clear Niki Lauda’s lungs after his crash that is notoriously difficult to watch. It’s graphic, clinical, and loud. If your kid is squeamish about medical trauma or body horror, this will be the part they remember.
The film also leans into the "sex, drugs, and racing" lifestyle of James Hunt. It doesn't moralize his partying, but it doesn't hide it either. If you’re looking for a high-octane experience that skips the adult themes, you’re better off checking out our list of the best car racing movies for kids for some PG-13 alternatives.
The Hemsworth Factor
For many younger viewers, the draw is seeing Chris Hemsworth outside of a superhero suit. He’s excellent here, playing a character who is essentially the opposite of a disciplined hero. It’s a great entry point for a conversation about how different people define "greatness"—Hunt through raw talent and ego, and Lauda through data and discipline. If your teen is a fan, you might want to look at our cheat sheet for Chris Hemsworth’s movies to see how this fits into his broader filmography.
Why it sticks the landing
The reason critics and audiences both rate this so highly (boasting an 8.1 on IMDb and high 80s on Rotten Tomatoes) is that it functions as a psychological thriller as much as a sports flick. It avoids the tired "good guy vs. bad guy" trope. By the end, you aren't necessarily rooting for one driver to win the race; you're rooting for both of them to survive their own obsessions.
If your teen is 16 or 17 and starting to appreciate complex, character-driven dramas, this is a perfect "grown-up" movie to watch together. It’s loud, it’s beautiful, and it treats the audience like adults. Just don't be surprised if they start asking for a go-karting membership the next morning. If they aren't quite ready for the intensity of the 1976 season, there are plenty of other car movies for the family that deliver the speed without the graphic hospital stays.
