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IN BRUGES

What You Need To Know:

IN BRUGES (pronounced “Brooge”) is a British crime thriller about two Irish hit men, Ken and Ray. The men face a moral dilemma when their crazy boss, Harry, tells the middle-aged Ken to murder the younger Ray. Harry is upset that Ray accidentally killed a young boy in church when they murdered a Catholic priest on Harry’s orders. Harry has sent both men to Bruges, Belgium, so Ray will enjoy the sites in this quaint, medieval, formerly Christian city before he dies. Ray, hates it there, however, but it is Ken who finds the city’s famous Christian churches re-awakening his lapsed Catholic faith.

This violent, obscenity-laced, but compelling thriller has some strong Christian references. Not only is there Ken’s newfound interest in his lapsed Christian faith, but viewers also learn that Ray himself is struggling with the guilt he feels over accidentally killing the boy. Regrettably, the movie abandons this Christian content for a bittersweet ending that leaves the salvation of Ken and Ray in strong doubt. Overall, therefore, the movie’s violent content, foul language, sex and drug references, and unresolved ending are ultimately excessive, especially when added together.

Content:

(PaPa, CC, B, LLL, VVV, S, AA, DD, MM) Strong mixed pagan worldview with strong Christian content and some moral issues discussed but not resolved in an uplifting way, including man prevents despondent guilty friend from committing suicide and argues against it; at least 153 mostly strong obscenities (mainly “f” words), five or six strong profanities, and three light profanities; very strong violence includes shootings with blood and some gore, man falls from great height, some fighting, chasing, and suicidal examples, though one suicide is prevented deliberately; implied fornication and prostitution, and references to getting prostitutes and sex; no nudity; alcohol use and drunkenness; smoking, drug use and man steals cocaine and pills from two drug dealers; and, man spouts racist theories when high and drunk then later apologizes and blames it on the cocaine he had.

More Detail:

IN BRUGES (pronounced Brooge) is a British crime drama about two Irish hit men whose boss puts them in an untenable situation.

The movie opens in Bruges, Belgium, a small town that retains its picturesque, medieval, and Christian, heritage. Ken, a middle aged hit man played by Brendan Gleeson, and his young partner, Ray, played by Colin Farrell, have been sent there by their boss, Harry, played by Ralph Fiennes (pronounced “Rafe Fine”). Harry tells them to lie low after their most recent job. Enjoy the sites and wait for my call, he tells them.

Ray, however, is soon bored by the medieval castles and churches that Ken likes to visit but is intrigued by the beautiful blonde woman he sees while watching a European movie crew. One night, he drags Ken to a bar to have some fun drinking. Ken gets the blonde’s phone number, but they miss Harry’s call. This irks Harry to no end, and he leaves a foul-mouthed message for them with the pregnant owner of their hotel, who is not amused.

The next night, Ken takes Harry’s call, but Harry tells Ken that the call is only for him. Ken tells Ray to go ahead and go out with the blonde. While Ray is gone, Harry tells Ken that he wants Ken to murder Ray, because Ray accidentally killed a boy in church during their last job, which was the murder of a Catholic priest. Harry has sent both men to Bruges, Belgium, thinking that Ray will enjoy the sites in this quaint, medieval, formerly Christian city before Ken has to kill him for Harry. Ray actually hates it there, however, but it is Ken who finds the city’s famous Christian churches re-awakening the Christian faith he grew up with as a Catholic boy. Ken’s newfound interest in and budding devotion to Christianity gives him second thoughts about killing Ray. Ken also thinks about trying to convince Ray to run away and leave his new career as a hit man behind him.

This violent, obscenity-laced, but compelling crime thriller has some strong Christian references. Not only is there Ken’s newfound interest in his lapsed Christian faith, but viewers also learn that Ray himself is struggling with the guilt he feels over accidentally killing the boy in the church. In fact, Ray has become so despondent over the boy’s startling death that he considers suicide, while Ken tries to dissuade his young friend from doing that. Regrettably, the movie abandons this Christian content for a bittersweet ending that leaves the salvation of Ken and Ray in strong doubt. Overall, therefore, the movie’s violent content, foul language, sex and drug references, and unresolved ending add up to an excessive Minus Three Rating from MOVIEGUIDE®.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.