I think there are some exceptions, particularly with older films / games, where the ratings are quite strict by today's standards. However this isn't the case for the Joker. Surely if he is only 11 then it's likely a lot of his friends are also unable to see the film, so he isn't being left out.

The Joker is really dark.. Definitely don't let him see that. I generally stick to ratings or preview things to decide.

DS is 8 and I play it by ear: watch the trailers and read a range of reviews, including Common Sense Media (I don’t like the tone of this site but it can be quite helpful).

Also, it depends on why the rating is in place: if it’s extreme violence, I wouldn’t consider DS watching it. But something that has comedy violence, I would me more lenient towards.

Specifically to you OP I don’t think Joker is appropriate for an 11-year-old. DS constantly complains that his friends get to see this or that (Stranger Things for example?!) - tough, quite frankly. I’d rather he didn’t have nightmares!

Always use www.commonsensemedia.org for games / movies etc

I take no notice of ratings. I decide myself if I think it’s suitable

I decide based on the content not the rating
Some 15’s from years ago were conservative for the times and don’t seem a 15 in today’s standard

I didn’t really want DD15 to see the joker but she is 15 and went anyway and said it wasn’t too bad

The content you describe would be a no from me age 11!

I don't think he should see the joker, but i never took notice of age ratings, like other posters, i used my own judgement.

My bestie and her DP went to see the film last week. They said it was excellent but definitely not for kids. Very dark (as most posters have said) jumpy in places, violent and a bit disturbing. It's not all slapstick POW! and BOOM!

Do those 11/12yo really think they will pass for 15 and be allowed in the cinema??

Difficult one. From what I've seen, games tend to be rated higher (e.g. 16 with content no worse than the films they are based on which are rated U or PG) whereas film ratings are becoming increasingly lenient. A lot of 15's now would have been 18 a few years ago and films like A Serbian Movie actually get passed.

18 games though I wouldn't allow DS (9) to go near but he has 16 rated games with no issues. 15 films however, no chance.

I certainly wouldn't let an 11yo go to a 15 being released now.

I am slightly flexible about older films as I think there are some films we have on DVD which were made decades ago, and were classified as 15 then but I am aware that at the time the 12 certificate didn't exist, and the more adult themes seem very mild to me and I suspect they would have been 12 rated if that certificate had existed at the time.

I am also a bit relaxed about the 12 certificate because it's not "no one under the age of 12" its "parents of children under 12 need to make a case by case decision" - so eg Star Wars films which are generally 12 are fine for most 8 year olds though probably not all.

I go by the ratings. In everything. My nine year old is furious she can’t have tiktok but it’s a 12. Someone who knows more than me must have concluded that rating wisely. I trust the experts to know more than me about what is suitable based on their vast experience and the fact both my kids shit themselves at scary stuff. I’d go with uk as it’s a system I trust.

I'm staggered Joker got a 15 rating. It's a brilliant film but so dark and bleak. Definitely not suitable for an 11 year old.

Film-makers often aim for a 15 for credibility. A 12 is seen as a "Kid's Film" and so they will add in enough grituitous profanities to get it bumped up.

I judge for myself rather than the ratings. For example my DC (7 & 9) have seen the later Harry Potter films which are rated 12 but I had already watched them and made a judgement. It very much depends on the child though, how sensitive they are, how mature etc.

Same as pp, we always use commonsensemedia.org if we're on the fence about a movie, sometimes it's not so cut and dried if you have a mature/immature child.

It sounds like it’s nit a good idea to let him go to that film

However, in general, it’s better to read sites like common sense media and see what’s being said & decide for yourself. Swearing doesn’t bother me, it won’t be any worse than they’ve heard before, sex not an issue but sexual violence is a no. Or anything else I know will genuinely scare them.

Also, whilst considering the UK ratings is fine as us reading common sense media you also have to accept you’re raising your child/ren in France and you do need to allow them to grow up with their peers.

Uk isn’t necessarily right and France wrong anyway.

I think there can be so much variance within classifications depending on what tips it into the rating banding. 12as seem to vary a lot for example, especially as there seem to be films that really should be 15s that just cut out enough to get a 12a and others that only just missed a PG.

My adult DS saw it the other week. He thought it was amazing but that he was no way going to let his 13 year old see it.

He thought 18 would be appropriate!

Agree with other posters regarding using age ratings as a guide with a sprinkling of common sense. I've allowed my DS to watch some age rated things which are "too old" for him but only if I've seen them first and I know what the content is, plus I watch it with him. Same with games. He watches us play a lot of rated stuff in the background (with gore filters on where appropriate) but only if I judge it ok for him. Different kids, different limits.

And different content - more than one "fuck" gets a 15 (or it used to) and depictions of female sexuality usually tip over to an 18, when hideous violence can stay firmly in 15 territory (if anyone is interested This Film Is Not Yet Rated was a brilliant look into it, came out years ago though).

Joker may be OK for some 12 year olds (I would have been one of them) but you know your son and without having seen it first I wouldn't even consider saying yes.

Also, because I love telling this story - I used to work for a video game retailer (no prizes for guessing which one) and I once got screamed at for describing an action you could take in the game she was planning on buying her twelve year old son.

"How DARE you say such things in front of my child. You should be fired for speaking like that in front of my son" etc etc.

Like, ok lady but he's the one who's going to be beating prostitutes to death with a giant purple dildo so I feel like the problem here probably doesn't lie with me.

This may be a myth but I thought the 12A rating was brought in for the first Sam Rami Spiderman - the violence was too high for a PG but they were aware of their target audience so Sony lobbied for the UK ratings to be more in line with the US (PG13 and R require adults to accompany anyone under 13 and 17 respectively whereas NC17 requires everyone to be above the age limit - NC17 films get very limited distribution so you'd best avoid showing a woman having an orgasm if you want your movie to earn money!)

Wow, I am weirdly invested in this topic! Who knew?

Stick to the ratings. They are there for a reason. Young minds don't need unecessary violence. Be strong and don't let others influence your decisions

And cinemas ask for ID for 15 and over rated films

YANBU. A girl in our street was allowed to watch Poltergeist when she was 11. She ended up having a baby at 16. I think if they let kids do that, it's a sign parents aren't considering what's suitable for their child/discipline.

But that's just my opinion.