Hulk (2003)

Related: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

This movie should be avoided because it involves and/or promotes profanity (at least 10 instances), blasphemy (God's name is taken in vain at least 5 times), immodesty, sexual immorality, and disdain for authority. Since its heroes practice sin, this movie conditions viewers to substitute evil for good and good for evil (Isa. 5:20) by praising evildoers who ought to be despised (Ps. 15:4; Pro. 28:4).

Violations of God's Law

Defiance against God

This movie violates the First Commandment.

The film's antagonist David Banner reveals that the origin of the Hulk's supernatural abilities is discontent with God's boundaries. At the beginning of the movie he writes, "I intend … human regeneration … regeneration is immorality." Near the end of the movie he says, "I tried to improve on the limits in myself. … To improve on nature. My nature! Knowledge of oneself! It's the only path to the truth that gives men the power to go beyond God's boundaries!" Granted, these are not the words and intentions of Bruce (the main character who turns into Hulk) but of his father; nevertheless, the abilities he inherited from his father do admittedly go beyond the boundaries God has fixed, just as David intended and as the movie would have us believe. Therefore, in order to follow along with the movie, we must entertain this idea that God's boundaries can be transgressed. Before we dismiss this point as trivial, we ought to consider the very definition of sin: going or desiring to go beyond God's boundaries, God's will, God's law. This is the same idea introduced by the serpent to Eve. This is the essence of witchcraft—the seeking of going beyond God's boundaries to acquire hidden, secret knowledge through means God has forbidden. This is incredibly dangerous ground, brought to the comforts of home under the guise of a so-called "fun" and "family-friendly" movie. We ought not be so easily duped, to allow our minds to be opened up to entertain such ideas. All one needs to do is look around and see how society has become so consumed with the pursuit of exceeding all boundaries ordained by God—from boundaries surrounding sexual activity, to boundaries of the marriage union between one man and one woman, to boundaries of male and female. How has society gotten to this point? Not overnight, but through movies like these and other various influences which gradually normalized dangerous and wicked ideas and practices, acclimating and desensitizing people little by little over time.

Blasphemy and Profanity

This movie violates the Third Commandment. God has warned that he will not hold guiltless those who take his name in vain (Ex. 20:7). God requires oaths to be sworn by his name (Deut. 6:13).

• Betty and a guard each take God's name in vain at least once
• A helicopter pilot utters, "Jesus" in vain
• General Ross takes God's name in vain at least twice, including an utterance of "Jesus"
• Bruce swears a profane oath
• After a frog explodes in an experiment gone wrong, Betty makes a profane reference to Exodus 8:1-15 as she jokes with Bruce about how there would be a market for their errant technology in the event that there is a plague (like the one God brought upon Egypt as a divine judgment against Pharaoh). Holy Scripture records this event as a demonstration of God's power and glory over Egypt and its false gods for the express purpose of moving us to worship and fear him and no other. Such an awesome event, however, is reduced to a silly joke.
• Profane references: damn(5), hell (1), among others

Disdain for Authority

This movie promotes violations of the Fifth Commandment. Those who disobey parents are worthy of death according to the judgment of God (Rom. 1:30-32).

• Betty is shown treating her father disdainfully throughout the film
• There is a scene in which her father has invited her to a restaurant after a long period of broken contact, and while sharing the meal, Betty jumps to conclusions, accuses him of lying, and then gets up and leaves. Although she does admit to Bruce that she "screwed up" by being impatient and not hearing him out, there's no actual repentance, recognition of sin, or sense of shame assigned to that behavior (which continues on in the film).

Immodesty and Sexual Immorality

This movie violates and promotes violations of the Seventh Commandment. The Bible warns that those who do not repent of sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God (1Co. 6:9-10), but will be judged by God (Heb. 13:4). We are commanded to "flee fornication" (1Co. 6:18).

• Bruce (Eric Bana, married) and Betty (Jennifer Connelly, unmarried) are shown embracing and kissing, and lying on top of one another
• Bruce is repeatedly shown shirtless throughout the film, sometimes with only his crotch covered, and one time completely naked with buttocks exposed
• David has lewd sketches of women on his wall

Sinful Content in Hulk

Warning! The following table contains direct quotations from the film, which include instances of blasphemy, profanity, and other vices.