Not suitable under 15, OK over this age group, but adult guidance recommended (Strong themes; violence including sexual assault; sexual references; alcohol abuse and coarse language).
This topic contains:
Children under 15 | Not suitable due to strong themes, violence including sexual assault, sexual references, alcohol abuse and coarse language. |
Children 15 and over | Recommended viewing, but with adult guidance due to strong themes |
This section contains details about the movie, including its classification by the Australian Government Classification Board and the associated consumer advice lines. Other classification advice (OC) is provided where the Australian film classification is not available.
Name of movie: | Circle of Lies |
Classification: | MA15+ |
Consumer advice lines: | Strong themes, sexual references and sex scene |
Length: | 81 minutes |
This review of the movie contains the following information:
Circle of Lies is an Australian-made drama that tackles issues such as high school popularity, bullying and sexual assault. On the first day of a new school year, Denise Dixon (Hilary Caitens) – once the most popular girl in the school – is back. Her former best friend Kirsty (Anna Lawrence) now dominates Short Beach High, and she’s on a mission to destroy Denise and any semblance of a reputation she has left. Kirsty has told the entire school details of Denise’s apparent sexual exploits, stolen her ex-boyfriend Aiden (Ryan Harrison) and continues to take every available opportunity to use the rumour-mill for her own gain.
Although almost every one of her peers turns on Denise, her old friends Linda (Karina Banno) and Greg (Luke Webb) never doubt her innocence. Gradually, Aiden also comes to see the truth of the situation, and recognises Kirsty for what she really is – a manipulative liar. With her friends standing by her, Denise is able to find the strength to defend herself publically against the outrageous lies Kirsty has spread, gradually becoming a more confident and self-assured person as a result.
Children and adolescents may react adversely at different ages to themes of crime, suicide, drug and alcohol dependence, death, serious illness, family breakdown, death or separation from a parent, animal distress or cruelty to animals, children as victims, natural disasters and racism. Occasionally reviews may also signal themes that some parents may simply wish to know about.
Bullying; sexual assault; alcohol abuse; relationships and love; friendship; parental neglect
Research shows that children are at risk of learning that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution when violence is glamourised, performed by an attractive hero, successful, has few real life consequences, is set in a comic context and / or is mostly perpetrated by male characters with female victims, or by one race against another.
Repeated exposure to violent content can reinforce the message that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution. Repeated exposure also increases the risks that children will become desensitised to the use of violence in real life or develop an exaggerated view about the prevalence and likelihood of violence in their own world.
There is some violence in this movie including:
Children over the age of thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic physical harm or threats, molestation or sexual assault and / or threats from aliens or the occult.
Much of the film's content with strong themes, and scenes of bullying and sexual assault is likely to disturb children under 15 and is not suitable for this age group.
There are a significant number of sexual references in this movie, including:
There is some partial nudity and sexual activity in this movie, including:
There was some use of substances in this movie, including:
There is a significant amount of coarse language in the film, including:
Circle of Lies is a powerful film that speaks to the nature of friendship, trust and betrayal. It highlights the pervasive consequences that a single action may have, as well as the dangerous slope of power and popularity on which teenagers and young adults may find themselves. The film demonstrates the importance of taking a stand, and having the strength to defend yourself or what you believe in. It also highlights the fact that situations are often far more complex than many people realise, and that third-party reports of events can be incredibly misrepresentative of reality.
The MA15+ rating is well deserved as the film’s content is unsuitable for under 15s and teenagers over 15 would benefit from adult guidance due to the strong themes. It would make a very good discussion starter for parents who wish to tackle these themes with older children, or for senior school classes.
The main messages from this movie are that:
Parents and teachers who watch this movie with teenagers could discuss:
Tip: Leave out the first A, An or The
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Content is age appropriate for children this age
Some content may not be appropriate for children this age. Parental guidance recommended
Content is not age appropriate for children this age
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