The Velvet Underground

Sex scenes, offensive language, nudity Rated on: 07 July 2021

The Velvet Underground

What’s it about?

The Velvet Underground is a documentary that tracks the avant-garde rock band’s origins. It contains first-hand interviews with band members, Lou Reed’s old friends, and personalities from artist Andy Warhol’s circle who share their insight about the band.

The facts

  • Directed by Todd Haynes (I’m Not There, Carol)
  • Runtime: 120 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was self-rated by Apple TV. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Sex

Fleeting glimpses of sex often blend into simultaneously playing montages juxtaposed onscreen, making the scenes and images likely to be overlooked. Scenes on their own are not explicit, not in close-up, and without lingering detail.

Offensive language

There is casual use of offensive language. It is used once to wish ill of the band: “I wish you f**kers bomb”.

Nudity

There is an image of buttock nudity in black and white that is not sexual in tone and more like something one might find in a photograph. Glimpses of nudity also blend into images and video simultaneously juxtaposed onscreen.

Recent featured decisions

08 January 2026

Violence, sex scenes, offensive language, nudity & wound detail

In 1950’s New York, shoe salesman Marty Mauser chases his dream to become a table tennis champion regardless of the cost to those around him.  

Read more

15 January 2026

Sex scenes

A fictional historical drama about William Shakespeare’s wife Agnes and their family life. The devasting death of their beloved 11-year-old son inspires Shakespeare to produce the play Hamlet which transforms their grief.

Read more