Iron Man 3 (2013)

Related: Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), The Avengers (2012)

Everything noted in the first and second Iron Man movies applies here. This movie takes God's name in vain at least 16 times. Tony Stark is depicted as an unrepentant womanizer, in that he has a one-night stand with a woman which, after he says he's a changed man, yet delights in joking about how "it was a great night." There's a scene in which he, ironically, lectures this same woman for not adhering to moral standards:

You used to have a moral psychology. You used to have ideals. You wanted to help people. Now look at you. I get to wake up every morning with someone who still has their soul.

Tony Stark chiding Maya Hansen

Here you have a committed playboy (as he boasts of himself in The Avengers)—an unrepentant drunkard, blasphemer, and fornicator—chiding a woman (with whom he fornicates) for lacking a moral compass with regard to imaginary scientific research (i.e., her research, in the film, being used as a weapon), and even refers to his love interest Pepper Potts as a moral example (even though they are living and sleeping together as an unmarried couple). This "moral" example habitually takes God's holy name in vain, practices fornication, and is immodestly featured for a significant amount of time wearing a sport bra fighting enemies.

This is self-righteous hypocrisy—a constant theme recurring in many of these movies: those who commit actual evil are paraded as heroes for despising or fighting against imaginary evil. This has a tremendous defiling effect upon those who consume these movies. Their mind, judgment, and values are subtly conformed to worldly, unbiblical standards by way of taking pleasure in the commandments of God being continuously broken by lovable characters.

This movie should be avoided because it is filled with profanity (at least 24 instances, including a profane oath and a profanation of Holy Scripture), sexual innuendos, and blasphemy (God's name is taken in vain at least 16 times), and involves and/or promotes immodesty, lust, sexual immorality, drunkenness, 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.

• Killian makes a reference to Thor, the false Norse deity turned superhero
• Tony refers to the false Norse deities featured in the movie The Avengers, Thor and Loki, as "gods."
• At least one appeal to luck

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).

• Tony takes God's name in vain at least 3 times, swears a profane oath, and makes a profane reference to the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32
• James takes God's name in vain at least 4 times, including the swearing of a profane oath
• Pepper takes God's name in vain at least 4 times
• A pair of concubines utter the name of "Jesus" in vain
• Harley, Heather, Rodriguez, and Savin each take God's name in vain at least once
• Profane references: hell (7), damn (6), devil (1), among others

Disdain for Authority

This movie promotes violations of the Fifth Commandment. Those who despise government are likened to brute beasts who will be condemned (2Pe. 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).

• Vigilantism: Tony takes it upon himself to exact "good old-fashioned revenge" on the Mandarin. He boastfully declares, "I've decided that you just died, pal. I'm gonna come get the body."
• Feminism: Pepper shown fighting men, robots

Abuse, Violence, and Murder

This movie promotes violations of the Sixth Commandment. The Bible warns that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (1Co. 6:9-10).

• Tony admits that he gets drunk
• The Mandarin's concubines are shown lying on his couch, drunk or high on drugs

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).

• Two scantily dressed women in lingerie, concubines, are shown together in the Mandarin's bed after Tony pulls off the covers
  • They are later shown lying on a couch, drunk or high on drugs
  • Also shown in their underwear playing ping pong
• Tony (Robert Downey Jr., married) and Maya (Rebecca Hall, unmarried) are shown kissing on her bed, to engage in fornication. They are shown getting dressed the next morning, and Maya is shown in her bra and underwear
  • Later in the movie, Tony recollects their one-night stand, saying, "It was a great night," even after he claims he has changed his ways
• Killian (Guy Pearce, married) kisses Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow, married) romantically on the cheek
• Tony and Pepper are portrayed as living together as an unmarried couple
  • Pepper seductively embraces Tony, requesting a kiss
  • Pepper says to Tony, "I'm gonna take a shower. And you're gonna join me."
  • They are shown sharing the same bed together
• Pepper is shown in sport bra, running and fighting. Tony says "Why don't you dress like this at home? Hmm? Sport bra, the whole deal."
• Many women are shown in bikinis, showing cleavage. Stan Lee cameos as a judge gazing upon these women and giving them a 10 rating
• Tony, Killian, and other men are shown shirtless
• Tony has a reputation for promiscuity
  • When he says he doesn't remember Killian, his assistant responds, "Of course you don't remember. He's not a blonde with a big rack."
  • In a scene meant to be funny, Tony quips, "I've dated hotter chicks than you" referring to a female attacker who was set on fire
  • He describes his past sexual encounters, including a "chick straddling" him
• Tony repeatedly makes sexual innuendos
  • When Maya asks, "Where are we going?" he responds, "Uh, to town, on each other."
  • Referring to Maya, he says, "She's going to need a cardiologist after I…"
  • Referring again to Maya, he says, "Just gonna try and get my beak wet real quick. You know what I'm talking about?"

Sinful Content in Iron Man 3

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