BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions is the highly anticipated sci-fi documentary, marked as the directorial debut of Kahlil Joseph, a visionary artist and filmmaker known for his radical, genre-defying work, including collaborations with artists like Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar.
Evolving from his acclaimed multi-channel video art installation BLKNWS, the 2025 film is an expansive, 113-minute cinematic experience described as a kaleidoscopic, essay film, a feature documentary, and an act of artistic scholarship, structured like a 21-track concept album. The film blends narrative and fictional sequences with a vast array of archival footage, social media clips, historical documents, and original cinematography by the celebrated Bradford Young.
The film’s ambitious framework is deeply inspired by the unfinished vision of scholar W.E.B. Du Bois for an Encyclopedia Africana—a sprawling compendium of the African diaspora. Joseph uses this concept, often referencing the modern Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, as a profound structural and intellectual backbone.
Woven into this dense, experimental structure is a fictional sub-plot following Sarah (played by Shaunette Renée Wilson), a young journalist who boards a futuristic transatlantic cruise ship called The Nautica. The ship is hosting a radical art biennial, specifically an exhibition known as The Resonance Field, curated by the fictional West African scholar Funmilayo Akechukwu.
As Sarah investigates the exhibition—which acts as a metaphor for the reclamation of cultural identity and a memorial for lives lost during the Atlantic slave trade—the film’s multiple timelines of past, present, and future begin to collapse. This narrative thread anchors the film’s philosophical meditations on themes like colonialism, the restitution of looted cultural artifacts, and the complexities and unity of the Black global experience.
BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions Age Rating
BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions is rated R by the MPA for language and brief nudity. This R rating signals adult material and warns parents that the film contains mature elements. The film’s experimental structure does not dilute mature content, so parental caution is advised. The R rating is recorded by major film databases and rating bulletins.
Violence & Peril
Violence is not the film’s focus. Physical action is minimal and rarely graphic. The film can feel tense due to archival footage and emotionally heavy subject matter. The emotional weight and historical footage may be unsettling for some younger viewers.
Language
The film contains strong coarse language at points. The language is sometimes used in political and historical contexts. Multiple uses of harsh expletives contribute to the R classification. Expect adult speech that may be inappropriate for children.
Mature Themes
BLKNWS explores slavery, colonialism, restitution of cultural artifacts, grief, and historical trauma. It uses archival images and documentary footage to examine these topics. There is also brief non-sexual nudity and ethnographic material that may be sensitive for young viewers. The film’s dense, essay-like approach expects emotional maturity from its audience. (Variety)
Is BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: No. The film’s themes and mature language are not suitable for preteens.
Ages 13–15: With guidance. Mature themes may be too intense without context. Parents should preview and be ready to explain the historical background.
Ages 16–17: Conditional, yes. Older teens with an interest in history, art, or film studies may benefit from it. Pair viewing with discussion about the historical and cultural material.
Final recommendation: Best suited for older teens (16+) and adults. The film is primarily aimed at mature viewers and cinema-literate audiences.
What Parents Can Do
Watch first: Preview the film to judge tone and decide if your teen is ready for archival trauma and strong language.
Contextualize the history: Prepare to discuss colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and cultural restitution after viewing.
Use it as teaching material: Encourage questions and follow up with age-appropriate readings or documentaries to deepen understanding.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the official age rating for BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions?
A: The film is rated R by the MPA for language and brief nudity.
Q: Is BLKNWS appropriate for younger teens and children?
A: No. The film’s mature language and heavy historical themes make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Q: Are there violent or scary scenes?
A: The film is not violent in a graphic way, but archival footage and tragic historical material can be emotionally intense.
Q: Does the film contain strong language or slurs?
A: Yes. The film contains strong coarse language. Parents should expect adult speech.
Q: Is there sexual content or nudity?
A: There is brief, non-sexual nudity. The nudity is limited but contributed to the R rating.