You're standing in the theater lobby or hovering over the "rent" button, and you see it: The Return. It looks moody. The trailer has that specific kind of atmospheric dread that suggests either a profound psychological masterpiece or a total jump-scare fest. But if you're a parent, or if you're sensitive to specific types of trauma, the return parents guide is probably the first thing you’re looking for before you commit ninety minutes of your life to it. Let's be real—nothing ruins a movie night faster than an unexpected scene that hits too close to home or is way more graphic than you bargained for.
The Return (2024), directed by Uberto Pasolini, isn't your typical slasher or a cheap supernatural thriller. It’s actually a gritty, grounded retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey. It stars Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus and Juliette Binoche as Penelope. Because it’s based on ancient Greek epic poetry, it carries a certain weight. It’s heavy. It’s dusty. It’s violent in a way that feels ancient and inevitable. If you're expecting a Disney-fied version of the hero coming home, you’re in the wrong place. This is a story about a man broken by war and a family that barely recognizes him.
The Physicality of Violence and Gore
When people search for a return parents guide, they usually want to know if they're going to see limbs flying or blood spraying the walls. In this film, the violence is visceral but not "fun." It’s grim. Since we’re dealing with the final act of the Odyssey, you know what’s coming: the slaughter of the suitors.
There is a significant amount of blood. It isn't the stylized, bright red blood of a Tarantino flick. It's dark and thick. Fiennes’ Odysseus uses a bow and various blades to reclaim his home, and the camera doesn't shy away from the results. You'll see puncture wounds, throat-slitting, and the aftermath of a massive, claustrophobic battle inside a stone hall. It’s intense. Honestly, the sound design does more work than the visuals sometimes—the wet thud of an arrow hitting bone is enough to make anyone wince.
Beyond the big finale, there are scenes depicting the harshness of the bronze age. Characters are scarred. They are dirty. There’s a scene involving the punishment of the disloyal maids that is particularly upsetting. It’s not "horror" in the supernatural sense, but the human cruelty on display is arguably much worse. If you have teenagers, they can probably handle the gore if they’ve seen Gladiator or The Northman, but for younger kids? Absolute no-go.
Sexual Content and Nudity
Interestingly, despite the source material being full of various "encounters" on the high seas, this specific adaptation stays focused on the tension between husband and wife. There isn't much in the way of explicit, "R-rated" sexual activity. However, there is a pervasive sense of sexual threat.
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The suitors inhabiting Penelope’s home are predatory. They aren't just annoying guests; they are men pressuring a woman into a marriage she doesn't want, often using intimidating body language and suggestive dialogue. This creates an atmosphere of constant, low-level harassment.
There is some brief nudity, mostly in a naturalistic or vulnerable context rather than a sexualized one. Think along the lines of a man washing off the grime of a decade of travel. It’s the kind of nudity you’d find in a museum—functional, historical, and somewhat bleak. If you’re watching with older teens, it might be a bit awkward for ten seconds, but it’s not the focus of the scene.
Psychological Weight and "The Scary Stuff"
This is where the return parents guide needs to be very clear: the "scary" parts of this movie aren't ghosts. They are psychological.
The film deals heavily with PTSD. Ralph Fiennes plays Odysseus not as a conquering hero, but as a man who is profoundly traumatized. He has flashbacks. He is paranoid. He struggles to reconnect with his son, Telemachus (played by Charlie Plummer), who has grown up without a father. For families that have dealt with the reality of a parent returning from military service, these themes might be incredibly triggering. It’s a very raw depiction of how war changes a person’s soul.
- The Atmosphere: It’s lonely. The cinematography uses lots of shadows and cold stone.
- The Tone: Grief is a character in this movie. Penelope has been grieving for twenty years, and Binoche plays that exhaustion to the bone.
- The Pacing: It’s slow. Very slow. If your kids have a short attention span, they will be bored long before the first arrow is fired.
The movie also touches on the concept of identity. Who are you when the world has moved on without you? This isn't a jump-scare movie. It’s a "stare into the abyss" movie.
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Language and Substance Use
Surprisingly, the language is fairly mild compared to contemporary dramas. You won’t hear a barrage of modern profanity because, frankly, it would break the immersion of the setting. The characters speak with a certain formal weight.
As for substance use, there is plenty of wine. It’s the Mediterranean; wine is basically water. The suitors are often depicted as being in various states of drunkenness, which adds to their unpredictability and the general sense of disorder in the palace. There’s no drug use in the modern sense, but the "lotus-eater" vibes are occasionally referenced as a metaphorical fog of war and trauma.
Is it Appropriate for Your Family?
Let’s break it down by age group.
Kids under 13: Probably not. Even if they are obsessed with Greek mythology and Percy Jackson, this is not that. It’s too bleak, too violent, and too slow. They’ll likely find it depressing or confusing.
Young Teens (13-15): Depends on the kid. If they have an interest in history or literature and can handle "prestige" violence (think Saving Private Ryan or Macbeth), they might get something out of it. It’s a great jumping-off point for talking about the actual Odyssey.
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Older Teens (16+): This is the target demographic for a "mature" look at the classics. It’s a high-quality film with incredible acting. If they can handle the brutality of the final thirty minutes, they’re fine.
Practical Steps for Parents
If you decide to watch The Return with your family, here is how to handle it without it becoming a disaster.
First, contextualize the ending. The slaughter of the suitors is a famous literary moment, but seeing it on screen is different. Explain that in the context of the time, this was seen as a "cleansing" of the home, not just a murder spree. It helps frame the violence as a narrative necessity rather than gratuitous shock value.
Second, discuss the "Coming Home" aspect. Use the movie to talk about how difficult it is for people to reintegrate into their families after a long absence or a traumatic event. It turns a "boring" historical movie into a lesson in empathy.
Third, check the runtime. It’s about two hours long. Make sure you aren't starting it too late, as the slow pace can make it feel longer, and you don’t want to be halfway through a heavy psychological scene when everyone is cranky and tired.
Honestly, the return parents guide boils down to this: it’s a beautifully acted, very violent, and deeply sad movie. It honors the source material by refusing to make Odysseus a perfect person. He’s a killer who wants to be a husband again, and the movie asks if that’s even possible. If your family is up for a serious, R-rated drama that feels more like a play than a blockbuster, go for it. If you’re looking for a fun night of adventure? Skip it and put on the 1997 miniseries instead.
Before you sit down, verify the rating in your specific region. In many places, it’s a hard R or a 15/18 age rating due to the intensity of the "mop up" scene at the end. Don't let the "PG" feel of the first hour fool you; the ending earns that rating in spades.