How gory is The Wrestler?

Light gore and strong violence.

What is The Wrestler rated, and is it OK for kids?

Moderate sex and nudity, strong violence, and frequent strong language. The R is earned, so not for kids.

The Wrestler (2008)

Film · 1h 49m · Rated R

Drama, Romance

A washed-up wrestler grapples with fading glory and a last chance at connection in a bleak world.

Melancholy. A full-attention watch at a measured pace. Emotionally it is devastating.

Not on a US subscription service as of Oct 27, 2026.

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The Wrestler parents guide

Nothing past what an R promises: moderate sex and nudity, and strong violence.

Scare: Not scary
Jump scares: None noted
Gore: Light gore; Some blood or injury, briefly.
Violence: Strong violence; Violence is frequent or intense.
Sex and nudity: Moderate; Moderate means a sex scene or nudity on screen, even brief, or sexual violence that is described or implied but never shown.
Language: Strong; Frequent strong profanity or slurs.

How we rate: an AI reads what is known about each title and tags it 0 to 3; we check the tags against a hand-rated set and correct them by hand when readers tell us. Estimates, not a scene-by-scene review. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

Three questions

How gory is The Wrestler?: Light gore and strong violence.
What is The Wrestler rated, and is it OK for kids?: Moderate sex and nudity, strong violence, and frequent strong language. The R is earned, so not for kids.

What is The Wrestler about?

Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper, and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.

Does it have a happy ending? (spoiler-safe)

It leaves the ending open to interpretation.