Why Is Hypnotic Rated R? What Parents Should Know Before Letting Their Kids Watch

The Robert Rodriguez sci-fi thriller "Hypnotic" hit theaters on May 12, 2023, but the Ben Affleck-led film earned just $2.4 million in box office receipts during its opening weekend, making its debut even more disappointing than that of Affleck's notorious 2003 bomb "Gigli." 

"Hypnotic" — which should not be confused with the 2021 Netflix psychological thriller also called "Hypnotic" that starred Kate Siegel — focuses on Detective Daniel Rourke (Affleck) as he pursues a bank robber (William Fichtner) who uses his psychic powers to further his criminal enterprises. The Robert Rodriguez/Ben Affleck "Hypnotic" also stars Alice Braga, Dayo Okeniyi, and Jeff Fahey. It is rated R by the MPAA, mostly for persistent violence, but there are other elements in "Hypnotic" that may concern parents with children who wish to see the film.

There is a consistent use of guns throughout "Hypnotic," including self-inflicted gunshots and the graphic depiction of gunshot wounds. One character is impaled in the head, and another tries to rip off their hand to escape handcuffs. There are multiple car crashes, including one where a body flies through the windshield and lands on the road. Characters are struck by vehicles and a motorcycle crashes through a window. 

While "Hypnotic" does not have a great deal of adult content, there is some kissing between male and female characters, and a woman showers onscreen — though no nudity is shown. Another female character takes off her clothing, revealing her bra. Profanity is heard steadily throughout the film, including multiple uses of "s***" and "ass**** " and at least one instance of the latter's Spanish version, "pendejo." 

While there is plenty of foul language and violence in "Hypnotic," the most offensive thing about the film might be its directionless plot with multiple, confusing storylines. The film has been equally as disappointing to critics as it has been at the box office, earning a 36% approval rating from professional reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes. 

M.N. Miller of Ready Steady Cut criticized the script as being derivative of films such as "The Happening" and "The Truman Show," writing, "The result is a cluttered mess of genres and themes that clash and work against one another." 

He did single out the film's headlining star for making the most of what he thought was a poorly written film. "[Ben] Affleck is in full movie star mode, brooding in every scene and using what's left over of his Batman baritone rasp," Miller wrote. 

He also had kudos for the man who was chosen to play the antagonist to Affleck's Detective Rourke. Miller wrote, "I will give credit to veteran character actor William Fichtner, who was a bold choice to play the villain, reveling in the role and making for some entertaining scene segways." But given the meandering main storyline of "Hypnotic" and the too-frequent and interlocking plot twists, Fichtner and Affleck's performances may not be enough to save the film from becoming another "Gigli."