Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

NZ release: 05 May 2022

Violence Rated on: 03 May 2022

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

What’s it about?

Doctor Strange teams up with a mysterious teenage girl, the Scarlet Witch, and others to battle alternate versions of himself who threaten to wipe out the multiverse.

The facts

  • Directed by Sam Raimi
  • Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Benedict Wong (The Martian), Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Xochitl Gomez (The Baby-Sitters Club), and Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man)
  • English, Spanish, and Chinese languages
  • Runtime: 126 minutes
  • 28th release in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

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.

Horror

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has a darker tone than previous films in the franchise.

A number of scenes involve elements of horror and threat, including demonic beings attacking people, magical powers being used to burn victims, the revival of a corpse, and multiple jump scares. Characters are pursued by monsters and threatened with (magical) torture.

Violence

This film contains frequent violence including the use of harmful magical powers and fistfights. Some scenes contain bloodshed. Characters are crushed by buildings, and there is one scene of a dead man impaled on a large metal rod.

In one scene, a villain blinds a man with magic, and then offscreen he is decapitated, but we hear this happen.

There are multiple surgery scenes where wounds are clearly seen, and surgical instruments are used. In one, a man’s face is bruised and bloodied and there are metal screws and poles sticking out of his hands, which some viewers might find disturbing.

Coarse language

The film contains some use of coarse language. Words used include “s**t,” “bitch,” and “ass.”

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.

Further information

Recent featured decisions

30 May 2019

He iti te whakarekereke

E whakahokia mai ai ōna whenua, ka whakaae a Shrek ki te whakaora i a Pirihini Fiona, mā Tā Farquaad, te tangata kiriweti ki te mahi pohewa, engari ka taupuhi ia ki te Pirinihi i runga i tana haerenga.

Read more

24 February 2025

Sexual violence, cruelty and offensive language

While recovering from a stroke in a nursing home, a former judge discovers that one of the residents is terrorising the home with a child's puppet called Jenny Pen.

Read more