Anyone familiar with theMortal Kombatseries knows that they’ve been surrounded in controversy ever since the originalMortal Kombatback in 1992. It should go without saying that a film about a game where you’re able to rip your opponent’s spines out would get an R rating, but you might be surprised.
Surprisingly enough, the original live-actionMortal Kombatfilms received PG-13 ratings despite pulling from graphic source material. They were criticized at the time for the lack of brutality and gore so when the word came out that the 2021Mortal Kombatmovie would have an R rating, fans breathed a sigh of relief.
So, why isMortal Kombatrated R? Here’s what you need to know.
Why is Mortal Kombat Rated R?
It was pretty clear as soon as the first red banned trailer released forMK2021 that the movie was going to be full of graphic violence and gore. Knowning that director Simon McQuoid didn’t have to hold back was a refreshing feeling for fans after the PG-13 mild-fests from the 90s.
Specifically, the MPAA gaveMortal Kombatan R rating for, “strong bloody violence and language throughout, and some crude references.” This seems to fall pretty close in-line with the ESRB rating of 2019’sMortal Kombat 11. They gave it an M rating siting “Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language.”
While there isn’t a confirmed release date for the film in the UK just yet, it’s safe to assume that the BBFC will give it an 18 rating for similar reasons as the MPAA. MostMKgames received ratings of 18 from them, so it stands to reason that the film will fall in line with that as well.
