Why Dear Santa is rated PG-13 and is not a good watch for younger kids, explained

Paramount Movies delivers a funny Christmas movie this year in the form of Dear Santa. Starring Jack Black and Robert Timothy Smith, the film is based on the premise that an 11-year-old dyslexic child writes a letter to Santa Claus but misspells Santa as Satan.

While the film is marketed as a holiday-themed watch, many parents reportedly found this movie problematic. The film's characters often use swear words, and there is a joke about child molestation, bestiality, and significant bathroom humor. Moreover, Dear Santa also tackles the subject of loss and grief since Liam, the main character, recently lost his brother.

Additionally, the film also spoils the fact that Santa doesn't exist—a difficult fact to swallow for young children who still believe in Father Christmas.

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Liam accidentally misspells Santa as Satan (Image via YouTube/Paramount Movies)

Dear Santa has swear words, crude jokes, and bathroom humor

Characters in this movie often use swear words such as "cr*p," "bulls**t," "sh*t," "stupid," "dumba**" and "turd breath." The language may not be suitable for audiences below 13 years of age.

The movie also heavily relies on crude jokes to garner laughs. When Satan first meets Liam, Liam is quick to body-shame him ("But I guess you are chunky enough.")

Another problematic scene in the film is Satan making jokes about child molestation and bestiality. Black's character says, "Why would I touch you? I'm Satan, not a trusted relative." In another scene, he chimes, "screw the pooch."

It also heavily relies on bathroom humor to garner laughs. In one scene, Satan gives a minor character diarrhea when he annoys him.

Another problematic scene involves a child standing up for someone who is getting bullied and ends up getting punched. This might send the wrong message about bullying.

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Dear Santa's whole premise is troublesome

Dear Santa shows Satan as a charming, cool, and likable character. He grants wishes in exchange for the boy's soul. In one scene, he shows Liam how having him by his side can mean a life of luxury. Liam is shown driving fancy cars, gambling, and rolling around in heaps of cash.

Additionally, the film does not tackle grief and loss sensitively and respectfully. Liam and his parents grieve for the loss of his brother. Towards the end of the movie (warning: spoilers ahead), Satan grants Liam's final wish by bringing him his brother back to life thus making them a happy family once again.

The film is more of an adult comedy than a PG-13 movie meant for young children, and Santa Claus does not feature in it at all.

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About Dear Santa

Directed by Bobby Farrelly, Dear Santa follows the life of Liam, a sixth grader who is dyslexic. Instead of writing a letter to Santa, he misspells and addresses it to Satan. Satan visits him and grants him three wishes in exchange for his soul.

Through a series of twists, turns, and adventures, Liam gets all three of his wishes granted, with the last one being his dead brother coming back to life on Christmas. While the overall film received a tepid response, Black's comedic timing and enthusiastic performance have reportedly received a positive response from viewers.

This film isn't a traditional cheesy holiday movie. It uses a combination of dark humor, bathroom jokes, and funny shenanigans to draw laughs.

Dear Santa is available to stream on Paramount Plus.