Youngblood (2025) is a Canadian sports drama that reframes the 1986 cult hockey film for a modern audience. It is directed by Hubert Davis, with a screenplay developed from work by Charles Officer, Josh Epstein, Kyle Rideout, and Seneca Aaron.
The film stars Ashton James, Blair Underwood, and Oluniké Adeliyi in leading roles. The story follows Dean Youngblood, a Black junior hockey player from Hamilton pursuing the NHL, and explores the sport’s physical demands, toxic locker-room culture, and questions of race, identity, and family. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 202,5 and has a U.S. theatrical release set for March 6, 2026.
Youngblood Age Rating
Youngblood is listed with an MPAA/parental guidance of PG-13 for some strong language, violence, suggestive material, and teen drinking. This rating signals the film contains material parents may consider inappropriate for younger children, but acceptable for older teens with guidance.
Violence & Peril
Violence in Youngblood is grounded and sports-driven rather than sensational. Expect physical fights on ice, aggressive hits, and tense confrontations that can feel brutal in the moment. The film treats those incidents as part of the story about the culture around junior hockey, not as graphic gore. The atmosphere is often tense and charged, with several scenes designed to unsettle viewers as Dean navigates escalating conflicts.
Language
The film contains frequent strong language and profanity in heated locker-room and family scenes. Swear words are used to convey realism and pressure within the sport and family dynamic. There are no reports of pervasive racial slurs used to endorse racism, but racial tension and microaggressions are part of the film’s themes. The language contributes to an adult tone, which reinforces the PG-13 guidance.
Mature Themes
Youngblood handles mature themes in a sustained, thoughtful way. It explores grief, Black masculinity, parental pressure, toxic team culture, and the real-world barriers a Black player faces in a predominantly white sport. There are also scenes implying underage or teen drinking and party culture surrounding junior hockey, plus emotional violence and heavy family arguments that could upset sensitive viewers. These themes make the film more suited to older teens.
Is Youngblood Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: Not suitable. The physical fights, adult language, and heavy themes of grief and racial pressure are beyond what most preteens can process. The film’s tone and realistic confrontations make it inappropriate for this age group.
Ages 13–15: With guidance. Mature 13–15 year-olds who handle intense drama may follow the story, but parents should pre-screen. Expect violent hockey scenes, harsh language, and references to teen drinking; be ready to discuss what they watched.
Ages 16–17: Yes, with context. Older teens will likely appreciate the film’s themes and performances. Parental discussion about race, masculinity, and coping with pressure will deepen understanding and help process difficult scenes.
Final recommendation: Youngblood is best for viewers 16+. Parents of younger teens should watch first and use the film as a chance to talk about the sport’s culture, race, and healthy ways to handle pressure.
What Parents Can Do
Watch the film first to judge tone and scenes that might trouble your teen, especially the hockey fights and family arguments.
Prepare to discuss race, masculinity, and peer pressure after viewing—ask how the film’s depiction compares to real sports experiences.
Use real examples from the film (locker-room hazing, drinking, father/son pressure) to talk about safe coping, consent, and asking for help.
FAQs
Q1: What is the MPAA rating for Youngblood?
A1: Youngblood is listed as PG-13 for strong language, some violent hockey sequences, suggestive material, and teen drinking.
Q2: Is Youngblood appropriate for teens?
A2: Older teens (16–17) can handle it with context; younger teens need parental guidance or should skip it.
Q3: How violent or scary is the film?
A3: The film contains realistic, sometimes brutal hockey fights and tense confrontations. It is unsettling but not graphically gory.
Q4: Does the film have strong language or slurs?
A4: Yes. Strong profanity is used. Racial tension is a theme, presented critically rather than glorified.
Q5: Is there sexual content or nudity?
A5: The film’s content center on sport, family, and culture; it is not reported to include explicit sexual content or nudity. Parental guidance is still advised due to other mature themes.
Q6: When and where can I watch it?
A6: Youngblood premiered at TIFF on September 6, 2025. It was acquired for U.S. distribution by Well Go USA and is scheduled for U.S. theaters on March 6, 2026. Check local listings for exact dates and formats. (tiff.net)