You're sitting on the couch, the kids finally stopped running around, and you see The Man from Toronto pop up on Netflix. It stars Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson. It looks like a goofy buddy-comedy. But then you see that PG-13 rating and wonder: is this "Marvel PG-13" or "this is going to be awkward to explain to my ten-year-old" PG-13?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a toss-up.
This movie is basically a high-octane mix of Kevin Hart’s usual high-pitched screaming and Woody Harrelson being a terrifyingly efficient hitman. It's funny, sure. But the violence gets surprisingly crunchy in parts. If you’re looking for the the man from toronto parents guide breakdown, you’ve come to the right place. Let's dig into what actually happens on screen so you aren't blindsided by a chainsaw scene while eating popcorn with the family.
Is the Violence Too Much for Kids?
Here is the thing. Most of the action is "movie violence." People get punched, kicked, and shot, but it usually lacks the lingering gore of a John Wick flick. However, there are a few moments that might make you wince.
The premise revolves around a case of mistaken identity. Teddy (Hart) is a guy who fails at everything—including printing out a clear address for an Airbnb. He ends up at a cabin where he's mistaken for "The Man from Toronto," a legendary interrogator. This means we get several scenes where "interrogation" is the main event.
There's a scene involving a man being hung upside down while Teddy is forced to pretend he's going to torture him with a set of knives. It’s played for laughs because Teddy is terrified and accidentally cuts the guy's face, but the implication of torture is heavy. Later on, things escalate. You’ve got a massive brawl in a gym, a shootout on a cargo plane, and a final showdown where people are hitting each other with everything they can find.
💡 You might also like: Black Bear by Andrew Belle: Why This Song Still Hits So Hard
Specifically, there is a moment where a character is decapitated off-screen with a chainsaw. You don't see the head roll, but the sound and the context are very clear. There’s also a mention of a character being "boiled alive." If your kids are sensitive to the idea of people being hurt in creative, scary ways, this might be a bit much.
Language and The "F-Bomb" Count
If you’re worried about foul language, you should know that this script isn’t exactly "Disney-clean." It’s a typical modern action-comedy.
You’re going to hear the "S-word" quite a bit—around 25 times. There are also plenty of other gems like "a--," "b--tard," and "hell." But the big question for many parents is the F-word. There are two instances of it. One is clear, and the second is partially obscured or bleeped, but the intent is there.
There's also a significant amount of what some would call "religious profanity." You’ll hear "God" and "Jesus" used as exclamations roughly 20 times throughout the 112-minute runtime. For some families, that’s a non-issue; for others, it’s a dealbreaker.
Sexual Content and "The Lubricant Incident"
Luckily, this isn't a movie you’ll have to cover your eyes for because of nudity. There isn't any. Woody Harrelson takes his shirt off once, but that’s about it.
📖 Related: Billie Eilish Therefore I Am Explained: The Philosophy Behind the Mall Raid
However, the "suggestive material" noted in the MPAA rating comes from the dialogue. Teddy is trying to have a romantic birthday weekend with his wife, Lori. At one point, he mentions it’s "baby-making time." There is also a running gag involving a large bottle of lubricant he brought for the trip, which gets brought up in front of other people for comedic embarrassment.
It’s mostly "over-their-heads" humor for younger kids, but older kids will definitely get the jokes. There are some women in the background of certain scenes wearing revealing dresses, but nothing out of the ordinary for a PG-13 action movie.
The "Gross-Out" Factor
Kevin Hart movies usually have at least one scene that makes everyone go "eww," and this one delivers.
During the interrogation scene mentioned earlier, Teddy gets so nauseous from the sight of blood and the stress of the situation that he projectile vomits. Not once, but twice. And yes, it lands on other people. If you have a kid with a weak stomach (or if you have one yourself), you might want to look away during the cabin sequence. It’s pretty graphic in that "gross-out comedy" way.
Why the PG-13 Rating Still Matters
A lot of parents see PG-13 and assume it’s safe for anyone over 10. With The Man from Toronto, the rating is largely earned through the sheer frequency of the violence and the grit of the hitman world.
👉 See also: Bad For Me Lyrics Kevin Gates: The Messy Truth Behind the Song
Woody Harrelson’s character is a cold-blooded killer. Even though the movie tries to give him a "heart of gold" arc, he still spends the first hour of the film talking about how he likes to skin people. It's a dark concept wrapped in a bright, loud, Kevin Hart package.
Key Content Breakdown:
- Violence: High. Lots of hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, explosions, and off-screen kills.
- Language: Moderate to High. Two F-words and heavy use of the S-word and religious exclamations.
- Sexual Content: Low. Suggestive jokes and a gag about lubricant, but no nudity or sex scenes.
- Drugs/Alcohol: Low. Some social drinking by adults in restaurants or at home.
Actionable Next Steps for Parents
Before you hit play, think about your kid's "threshold."
If they’ve seen movies like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle or Central Intelligence, they will likely handle this just fine. It’s very much in that same vein of "action-comedy where things explode but the hero is never really in danger."
However, if your child is bothered by the idea of assassins and "scary" bad guys who use chainsaws and talk about torture, you might want to save this for a solo watch.
What you can do now: 1. Check the "Common Sense Media" reviews for specific timestamps if you want to skip the vomit scene (it happens early in the first act).
2. Talk to your kids about "movie magic" regarding the stunts, especially the plane sequence which looks cool but is purely CGI-assisted chaos.
3. If they are younger than 12, consider watching the first 20 minutes yourself to gauge the "vibe" of the violence.
Ultimately, it’s a standard popcorn flick. It’s not trying to be high art, and it’s not trying to be a horror movie. It's just Woody Harrelson trying to be scary while Kevin Hart yells about his "contact-less boxing" business.
The movie is available on Netflix. Grab the remote, maybe skip the cabin interrogation if the kids are little, and enjoy the chemistry between the two leads.