Deadpool tops BBFC complaints list for 2016

Sex, violence and strong language offend viewers.

by Jennie Kermode

Deadpool
Deadpool

It is perhaps 20th Century Fox's own fault for slyly billing it as a romantic comedy suitable for a Valentine's Day date, but Marvel superhero movie Deadpool generated more complaints in 2016 than any other UK release, the BBFC revealed today. In its annual report, the ratings organisation noted that it had received 51 complaints about the film's violent content, sexual references and strong language.

Standing by its decision to give the film a 15 certificate, the BBFC argued that although the violence was strong and bloody, much of it took place during action sequences where there was little focus on detail. It also noted that the comic tone of the violence meant it was unlikely to be confused with reality, and it did not see the sexual references as a problem because they mostly took the form of "quips or innuendo."

A total of 30 complaints were made about the fact that Suicide Squad had also been given a 15 certificate, most of them from youner cinemagoers who felt that this rating was too high. the BBFC argued that there was too much sustained threat and moderate violence for the film to be classified 12A.

Also on the complaints list were Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children, which some parents thought was too scary for a 12A, and Jason Bourne, which they considered too violent for the same rating. Sausage Party was attacked for its depictions of sex and drug use as well as the strong language used. The BBFC defended its decision to give it a 15 certificate partly on the basis that it was animated and also because, as they put it, depictions of "food products smoking joints" were "unrealistic."

Share this with others on...
News

Golden boy Krit Komkrichwarakool, Matt Dejanovic and Kenny Brain on Auganic

A collection of moments Mickey Keating on the metaphor and technique behind Invader

Family ties and trauma Laurynas Bareisa on relationship dynamics in award-winning drama Drowning Dry

Looking back RaMell Ross on basketball, filmmaking, overcoming objectification and Nickel Boys

In dialogue with time Bookworm director Ant Timpson on the changing landscape of cinema

Alliance of Women Film Journalists announces EDA Awards The Brutalist named best film

Wicked leads the way in SAG nominations Stars sing their way to success

More news and features

We're currently bringing you reviews from Palm Springs.



Towards the end of 2024, we covered DOC NYC, the French Film Festival UK, Tallinn Black Nights, the Leeds International Film Festival, Abertoir, the London Korean Film Festival, the Belfast Film Festival and Halloween Frightfest.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

More competitions coming soon.


DJDT

Versions

Time

Settings from settings.local

Headers

Request

SQL queries from 1 connection

Templates (11 rendered)

Cache calls from 2 backends

Signals