PTC to MPAA: No Minors Allowed Into R-Rated Films

The Parents Television Council is calling on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to hold the A24 Studio accountable for its intent to let those younger than 17 be admitted without a parent into select theaters for free screenings of the R-rated film, Eighth Grade. R-rated films are restricted to minors ages 17 and under without a parent or adult guardian, according to the MPAA. “Subjective declarations such as the one by A24 – that some content is ‘too important’ to be labeled in accordance with the standards set forth by the MPAA and understood, trusted and relied upon by parents – undermine and negate the entire purpose of having the content rating system in the first place. In this instance, and based upon empirical data of this film’s content, the Hollywood studio at issue here is grotesquely and irresponsibly usurping parental authority. Either the standard means something or it means nothing. Those who are openly violating both the spirit and the letter of the age-based content ratings system for this publicity stunt should be held to account by the MPAA,” said PTC President Tim Winter.