By Spherex
•
June 9, 2023
In a 2022 government survey of 2,000 Australians, the Australian Classification Board (ACB) learned that consumers wanted more up-to-date classification information reflecting community standards and "specific warnings that content could be distressing to some people." Examples included scenes with "bullying, suicide or self-harm, as well as disturbing content related to horror, or blood and gore." Responding to the feedback, the ACB announced on 25 May 2023 that it would significantly expand consumer advice on all rated movies. The additional advice does not apply to TV shows or games. The ACB disseminates guidance in two ways. First, it publishes consumer advice details on the movie's page on its website. Second, the film's rating and list of content warnings appear before the start of each movie, whether exhibited theatrically or online. What the Expanded Consumer Advice Looks Like One of the first titles to receive this additional consumer advice is the film " The Pope's Exorcist ." The ACB assigned it an "MA15+ Restricted rating," restricting audience attendees to those over age 15. The film label includes the previous standard of "strong horror themes and bloody violence." Before the new guidance went into effect, those five words were the extent of official notice. The consumer advice now includes additional details about the film: