Red Sonja is a 2025 American sword and sorcery action film and a gritty reboot of the classic comic book heroine. Directed by M.J. Bassett and starring Matilda Lutz as the titular warrior, the film also features Wallis Day, Robert Sheehan, and Veronica Ferres.
The story follows Red Sonja, a fierce huntress turned slave, who fights back against the tyrannical rule of Dragan the Magnificent and his deadly consort, Dark Annisia. As she journeys through a world soaked in blood and betrayal, Sonja unites a team of misfit warriors to fight for justice and reclaim her identity.
Set in a brutal fantasy world, Red Sonja explores themes of revenge, resilience, and empowerment through stylized violence and bold visuals. The film hits U.S. theaters on August 15, 2025, and arrives on digital platforms on August 29, 2025.
Red Sonja Age Rating
Red Sonja is rated R for strong bloody violence, injury detail, and language. Red Sonja contains material that may not be suitable for teen viewers.
rated R for strong/bloody violence, language, and mature themes. Here’s a detailed, spoiler-free content breakdown to help parents decide if it’s suitable:
Violence & Peril
- The film features frequent and graphic fantasy violence, including sword fights, creature battles, and intense death scenes.
- Expect bloody stabbings, decapitations, and visible injuries, often shown in stylized, slow-motion shots.
- Corpses are shown with gruesome wounds, and some scenes include fantastical animals being mutilated.
- A creature bites a character’s neck, with blood spraying.
- The tone of the film is intense, with many action scenes involving threats toward women and children.
Language
- Moderate use of profanity, including “whore,” “bitch,” and milder terms like “shit” and “balls.”
- There is also a humorous but crude reference to a man’s penis size.
Mature Themes
- While the film avoids exploitative content, there are brief sexually threatening moments involving soldiers harassing a female character.
- Themes of slavery, oppression, trauma, and vengeance are woven into the plot.
- The movie takes a feminist approach, portraying Sonja as a powerful survivor reclaiming her own agency.
Is Red Sonja Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: Not suitable. The intense violence, blood, and mature language make this film inappropriate for pre-teens. Scenes may be too graphic or disturbing at this age.
Ages 13–15: Not recommended. Even though some teens may be drawn to the action-fantasy genre, the gore and dark themes may be too intense for younger teens. Parents should be cautious.
Ages 16–17: Possibly okay for mature teens. Older teens who are used to R-rated action or fantasy films might handle the content, but viewer discretion is strongly advised. Parents should preview or co-view if unsure.
Red Sonja is aimed at an adult audience, especially fans of darker, violent fantasy stories. It’s not made with younger teens or families in mind.
What Parents Can Do
Preview Before Watching: If your teen is interested, consider watching the film first. The visual violence and tone may not be what they expect from a comic-book movie.
Talk About Representation: Discuss the film’s portrayal of empowerment, violence, and emotional recovery. It offers a strong female lead, but in a very brutal world.
Set Genre Expectations: Let teens know this is not a light-hearted superhero film—it’s a dark, bloody fantasy drama with emotional depth and real danger.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Red Sonja (2025)?
A: The film is rated R for strong bloody violence, injury detail, and language.
Q: Can teens watch Red Sonja?
A: It depends on their maturity. Most younger teens should avoid it, while older teens might handle it with guidance.
Q: Does the film have graphic violence?
A: Yes. The film contains decapitations, stab wounds, blood spurts, and mutilated creatures.
Q: Is there any sexual content?
A: No nudity or sex scenes, but there are brief moments of sexually threatening behavior.
Q: When and where can I watch Red Sonja?
A: It opens in U.S. theaters on August 15, 2025, and will be available on digital/VOD from August 29, 2025.