Doctor Strange 2 parental guide: Why this PG-13 movie isn’t for kids

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness–also referred to as Doctor Strange 2–has finally arrived! As the first MCU movie to hit theaters in 2022, its highly anticipated release has had fans buzzing about the direction of its storyline.

Much of this has to do with the inclusion of Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, a fan favorite character whose WandaVision series blew audiences away with its homage to sitcoms and its grief arc. We left off with Wanda Maximoff in isolation after she’d inadvertently taken control of an an entire town while mourning the loss of Vision. In her possession was the Darkhold, a text that grants its user immeasurable power in exchange for the corruption of their soul.

Sam Raimi, who’d helmed the first Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire, was tapped to direct Doctor Strange 2 to the delight of Marvel and horror fans alike. However, if you aren’t aware of the director’s work in Hollywood, then Doctor Strange 2‘s content may blindside you, especially parents who’ve tended to look past the PG-13 rating given to Marvel movies.

While the MCU has always had mature storytelling with social commentary, complex issues involving heroism, and fantasy violence, the Doctor Strange sequel kicks things up a notch. Here’s what we mean.

Doctor Strange 2 parental guide

Spoilers ahead of Doctor Strange 2

First, we’ll note that the movie doesn’t push the limits of PG-13. It’s not an R rated film masquerading as one suitable for the average teenager. However, if your elementary school aged child isn’t used to horror, the blood, gore, and violence could be quite unsettling for them.

Doctor Strange 2 is littered with jump scares, body horror, and body contortion. Without spoiling how these events happen we can say that one character’s neck is snapped, another is impaled, one poor character’s head is literally blown off, while another is severed in half. More than one character is disintegrated, and there’s a battle field comprised of burnt corpses.

Also, the crux of the movie is that the Scarlet Witch is hunting America Chavez because the teen is capable of crossing through the multiverse at will. Wanda wants the girl’s power so that she can be with alternate versions of her sons, Billy and Tommy, who exist in another realm.

Stripping America of her power, however, would result in the teen’s death. Wanda is willing to sacrifice her in order to get what she wants. So, essentially, the Scarlet Witch is down with child murder and the movie doesn’t tip-toe around this plot point. Nor does it shy away from depicting Wanda’s attempts to kill America.

All in all, Doctor Strange 2 is rated appropriately just like the other Marvel movies. The film simply earns its rating in a way that some parents prone to bringing their younger children to superhero films likely won’t be prepared for if they’re unfamiliar with Raimi’s work.

As such parents will have to weigh whether a child under the age of 13 can handle the movie’s content. There are elementary school aged kids that would be perfectly fine while others will be struggling with scenes they saw for days. Make the choice best for your child but our recommendation is that Doctor Strange 2 isn’t appropriate for kids. Your preteens will be fine.

For in-depth Doctor Strange 2 coverage, visit our sister site Bam Smack Pow.