Filmed Broadway smash has mature content, positive messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
Hamilton and his son are both killed (shot) in duels. Men call each other to revolution and war. Soldiers dance with weapons while gun and cannon blasts sound in the background. A suicide by hanging is alluded to. Hamilton says he should have shot someone "in the mouth." Arguments.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Hamilton and Eliza share a kiss on their wedding day. Even after he's married, Hamilton flirts with his sister-in-law and has an affair with another woman, highlighted in a somewhat steamy dance number. Song lyrics include reference to intercourse, "deflowering" women, stripping "down to our socks," and keeping a woman's "bed warm" while her husband is away. Aaron Burr has a long-running affair with another man's wife.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Two uses of "f--k" have been cut from the original version, but plenty of strong language remains, including one "f--k," various forms of "s--t," "damn," "bastard," "whore," hell," "ass," and "pr--k," and "God" and "Jesus Christ" used as exclamations.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
This take on origin story of the USA, including intricacies of early political in-fighting, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers, holds plenty of inspiration, relevant lessons for viewers today. Also has messages of empowerment for people of color, women, immigrants. On the downside, the realities of slavery and the fact that many of these historical figures owned enslaved people are minimized.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Casting these all-White historical figures with diverse group of actors offers reimagined role models for young people thinking about what it means to be American. Characters are largely depicted as intelligent, persevering, brave, faithful, and/or funny, but they're also flawed and reveal jealousy, fierce ambition, disloyalty, and a willingness to die or kill in name of honor or principle. Plus, many owned enslaved people, a fact that's largely minimized/glossed over, and the voices of those people aren't heard in the musical. Angelica does speak up in favor of including "women in the sequel," drawing attention to fact that United States' founders focused almost exclusively on rights of White men.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hamilton is the much anticipated filmed version of the original Broadway production about America's founders. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote and stars as Alexander Hamilton in the hip-hop-inspired musical. Both young fans of the show and new audiences are likely to be interested in the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning play: It's a true cultural phenomenon, with easily recognizable songs and references. The story does have mature themes, including adultery (there's a steamy number between Hamilton and a mistress) and dangerous rivalry throughout. Language includes a use of "f--k," plus "s--t," damn," "God," "bastard," "whore," hell," "ass," "pr--k," and "Jesus Christ." Darker scenes deal with war and deadly pistol duels. A suicide by hanging is alluded to, and the realities of slavery and the fact that many of these historical figures owned enslaved people are minimized. But there are plenty of inspiring and empowering messages here, as well as a strong theme of perseverance. And casting these White historical figures with a diverse group of actors offers new role models for young people thinking about what it means to be American. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
The movie was really good but I had to read extra information online as an adult. It’s a fun film with great positive role models and messages. As it is on a stage the violence isn’t too strong but we do see guns (gunshots in the background heard). As for se t stuff we so no sex, but strong passionate kisses and lyrics in songs that include love/sex.
There is some infrequent strong language (« f—k » one and « s—t » several times. Also « pr—k » ect. )
Just remember parents really good really complicated.
I love Hamilton but here’s some pointers.
1. It’s a complicated storyline. It’s a bit tricky to follow but overall it’s a great show.
2. There is about 1-2 s3x songs like say no to this or burn.
3. So much cursing. Nothing crazy crazy bad but the f word and other bad ones are present.
I love this show 10/10 love it!
What's the Story?
The title character of HAMILTON is Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founders (played by the creator of the musical, Lin-Manuel Miranda). Based on the book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, the musical reimagines events in Hamilton's life and sets them to hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway music. We're introduced to Hamilton as an ambitious 19-year-old, an orphan and an immigrant who's about to be recruited as right-hand man and later treasury secretary to first U.S. president, George Washington (Christopher Jackson). The country is on the verge of overthrowing British rule (King George is played by Jonathan Groff) and forging its own government and Constitution. Hamilton courts and marries Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo) and flirts with her sister, Angelica (Renée Elise Goldsberry); he also deals with a mistress. Hamilton has philosophical disagreements with Thomas Jefferson (Daveed Diggs, who also plays the Marquis de Lafayette) and James Madison (Okieriete Onaodowan). And Hamilton's long-running rivalry with Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.) eventually proves to be his undoing.
This filmed performance will delight the hordes of die-hard fans of the theater production's now iconic musical score, story, and original cast. It may also give viewers who couldn't get -- or couldn't afford -- a coveted ticket to Hamilton during its extraordinarily successful run on and off Broadway since 2015 the sense that they're catching up on something they missed.
The shift to the small screen does mean a loss of some of the immediacy and emotional punch of a live performance in front of a large and invested audience, but this version offers many rewards of its own. Multiple cameras supply new perspectives on the action, from bird's-eye views above the stage to close-ups that allow viewers to really see the actors' expressions -- right down to King George's spittle during his hilarious numbers. Fans can stop, rewind, repeat, and study these original, groundbreaking performances. Captured on film principally during a live Broadway show in 2016, the moments that seem to get the biggest applause in this recording are the most political: one-liners about enslaved people, women, and immigrants. It reminds you why Hamilton continues to feel so contemporary, relevant, and valuable -- in any format.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the historical events depicted in Hamilton. What did you know about this period in U.S. history before the musical? How could you learn more?
The show has people of color playing White historical figures and uses contemporary language and styles in the music. Why do you think these choices were made? What effects do they have on the story and your experience of it as a viewer? Why does representation matter in the media?
The musical famously asks, "who lives, who dies, who tells your story?" Whose stories does Hamilton not include in its own narrative? How does that affect your ability to enjoy it?
If you've seen a play or musical live in the theater, how does the experience of watching this filmed version differ? What do you gain -- and lose? Who's your favorite character, and why? Do you have a favorite musical number? What makes it special?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
