Lyla Lindsey
The 2019 film Hellboy received an R 18+ rating in Australia, which is a rare classification for a 15-rated film in Britain. The Classification Review Board determined that the film warranted this rating due to its high impact violence, blood, and gore, which could be too intense for a more vulnerable audience, despite the fantasy context. The film includes graphic depictions of violence, such as a person being facially de-gloved by a demon and a large creature tearing a man in half. Hellboy's appearance and the behaviour of the monsters may also be frightening for some viewers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rating | R 18+ |
| Reason | High impact violence, blood and gore |
| Comparison with other countries | MA15+ in Australia is equivalent to 18 certificate films in Britain, where Hellboy received a 15 certificate. |
| Comparison with other films | Kill Bill Volume 1 was R18+ in Australia, while Kill Bill Volume 2 was MA15+. |
| Presence of alcohol and smoking | Hellboy frequently gets drunk and is seen drinking tequila. There are also scenes of smoking and drinking in a bar. |
| Presence of profanity | There is use of profanity, including the words "God Damn", "Hell", and derogatory terms. There are also multiple F-words. |
| Nature of violence | Scenes of demons murdering people, skinning, and face removal. There are also scenes of children being eaten by a character, and a person being torn in half with their guts spilling out. |
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What You'll Learn
Hellboy's R18+ rating in Australia
The 2019 film Hellboy received an R18+ rating in Australia, with consumer advice warning of "high impact violence, blood and gore". The film features graphic and bloody violence throughout, including a scene in which a character is graphically skinned by a demon, and another in which a character is vertically torn in half, with their intestines spilling out. The Classification Review Board determined that the fantasy context of the film did not mitigate the cumulative impact of the violence and that it could be offensive to sections of the adult community.
The R18+ rating is a rare outcome for a 15-certificate film in Australia, and it is legally restricted to adults. The decision was made by a five-member panel of the Classification Review Board, which worked within the framework of the National Classification Scheme, applying the provisions of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995, the National Classification Code, and the Guidelines for the Classification of Films 2012.
The film also features frequent drinking and smoking by the protagonist, Hellboy, who is often seen consuming tequila. There is also religious swearing and the use of many F-words throughout the film.
Despite the rating, children of any age are permitted to watch the film in cinemas if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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High impact violence
The 2019 film Hellboy received an R 18+ rating in Australia, with the consumer advice "High impact violence, blood and gore". This rating was determined by a five-member panel of the Classification Review Board, which worked within the framework of the National Classification Scheme. The Review Board is an independent body that makes fresh classification decisions upon receiving an application for review.
The "High impact violence" in Hellboy includes graphic and bloody scenes of violence throughout the film. In one scene, a person is facially de-gloved by a demon, which is described as very graphic, although brief. Another scene depicts Baba Yaga eating children, with small hands in her stew and two children's corpses hanging from the ceiling. There is also a scene where a large creature picks up a man and tears him in half, spilling his guts.
The violence in Hellboy is not mitigated by the fantasy context, and the overall impact of the classifiable elements in the film was deemed high. The Classification Review Board's decision takes the place of the original decision made by the Classification Board, which had also assigned an R 18+ rating to the film.
The R 18+ rating in Australia restricts the film to adults only. Persons under 18 years of age are not permitted to view these films in cinemas or purchase them. It is worth noting that the R 18+ rating in Australia is typically given to films with an MA15+ rating, which is usually the rating for films with an 18 certificate in other countries.
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Blood and gore
The 2019 film Hellboy received an R18+ rating in Australia due to its strong bloody violence and gore. The film contains "high impact violence, blood and gore", according to the Classification Board.
The film features a significant amount of blood and gore, with one reviewer noting that there are "gallons of blood; spattered, oozing". Characters are killed, and there are torn-up body parts, severed heads and limbs, gouged tongues and eyeballs, and mutilated hands. There are also several terrifying monsters and senseless deaths. The film has been described as "brutal" and "like a horror movie", with one reviewer stating that it is "grotesque".
The film's gore is mostly computer-generated, and it has been criticised for this, with one review stating that there was "excessive gore". Another review noted that the film felt "too busy", which may be due in part to the amount of gore and violence depicted.
The Hellboy film series is based on a comic book series of the same name, created by Mike Mignola. The comics are also horror-based, but their tone is wry and deadpan, in contrast to the film's more graphic and brutal approach.
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![Hellboy II: The Golden Army [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81aO0y2-M4L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Hellboy [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91bacuqgwbL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Alcohol and smoking
In the 2019 film Hellboy, the titular character is frequently drunk and is often seen drinking tequila. There are also scenes of smoking and drinking in bars. In one scene, a man is shown drinking alcohol while leaning against a grave marker and singing. In another scene, people are shown drinking and smoking in a wrestling venue bar.
The 2004 Hellboy film also features characters smoking cigars and drinking beer. The main character and supporting cast members are seen smoking cigars and possibly cigarettes.
Hellboy (2019) is rated R in Australia for "strong bloody violence and gore throughout, and language." The film includes scenes of decapitation, dismemberment, and other graphic violence. There is also frequent use of profanity, including the F-word. The film's light-hearted tone may make some scenes less frightening, but the monsters and creatures can still be odd and creepy.
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Odd and creepy monsters
The Hellboy series, based on Mike Mignola's comics, is known for its odd and creepy monsters. The monsters are often described as "extremely odd and creepy" and "weird and wild". The key to how real these monsters feel is how fleshed out they are. Mignola rarely creates a dull creature, instead giving them minds, motivations, and eloquence. Many of his creatures are tragic figures, victims of circumstance, transformed into nightmares by bad luck.
One of the most iconic monsters in the series is Baba Yaga, a force to be reckoned with. With her chicken leg house, wooden teeth, and one eye, Baba Yaga is an unsightly figure and one of Hellboy's oldest and most dangerous rivals. Her appearance in the 2019 film was described as "creepy, gnarly and eerie". Another memorable monster is Jenny Greenteeth, based on English folk tales of a river hag who swallows children. With her long stringy hair, decaying skin, and spindly arms, she is a disturbing yet funny character.
Other notable monsters include the Frog Monsters, superior in combat to most human warriors, and the unnamed aliens that abduct cows, pigs, and a teenager, turning him into a human-cow hybrid. Hellboy also faces demonic beasts from hell, such as the Crooked Man, a collector of souls, and the Dragon of Revelation, known as Ogdru Jahad, who may be the most terrifying monster in the lore.
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Frequently asked questions
Hellboy has been rated R 18+ in Australia.
Hellboy was rated R 18+ due to "high impact violence, blood and gore".
Films with an R 18+ rating are legally restricted to adults. People under the age of 18 are not allowed to watch these films in cinemas or purchase them.
Hellboy contains several graphic and violent scenes, including a person being "facially de-gloved" by a demon, a character being vertically torn in half, and a large amount of blood and gore.
Hellboy is not suitable for children due to its high impact violence, blood, and gore. The film also contains frequent drinking, smoking, and strong language.
