Die Hard

What’s it about?

A New York City cop, John McClane, tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas Eve party at the Nakatomi Plaza Skyscraper in Los Angeles, California.

The facts

• Directed by John McTiernan (Predator, The Hunt for Red October)
• Starring Bruce Willis (Pulp Fiction), and Alan Rickman (Harry Potter)
• English language, with German, Italian, and Japanese dubbed versions
• Runtime: 132 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Violence

The plot centres around a band of terrorists who capture a group of office workers, with frequent destruction, carnage, and gun violence. This leads to injury and sometimes death, with some blood shown.

Some of the strongest moments of violence include:

• A fight scene involves one character being kicked repeatedly in the face and another is hung from a chain by his neck, killing him. This may be disturbing for some, especially as his body is seen swinging back and forth, lifelessly.
• One character is shot in the head, and the gunshot wound in his head can be seen, with some splattered blood.
• Someone is shot in the groin through a table, and another breaks their neck after they fall down a flight of stairs.
• Two characters are killed when a homemade bomb is thrown down an elevator shaft near to where they were standing.

Drug use

Alcohol and cigarettes are consumed by characters numerous times throughout, and there are two occasions where characters are briefly seen snorting cocaine.

Offensive language

This film contains frequent use of offensive language, with words like “f*ck,” “motherf**ker,” and “sh*t.”

When content stays with you:

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.

1737

Safe to talk

Lifeline

Youthline

Further information

Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?

Brain development – how it works, why it matters