Yes, profanity is allowed in Letterboxd reviews, but hate speech, slurs, and targeted abuse may be removed under the site policy.
You’re writing a spicy take and wondering if salty language will get you zapped. Here’s the short version: colorful words fly on this movie site, but attacks on protected groups or people don’t. The nuance lives in context, intent, and where the line shifts from opinion to harassment. This guide breaks down the real rules, how moderation works, and smart etiquette so your review says exactly what you want—without vanishing into the void.
Swearing In Letterboxd Review Text — The Actual Rule
The platform allows profanity in reviews, lists, and comments. Staff has said they’re fans of salty phrasing when it fits the tone of film chatter. Where things stop is hate, threats, or harassment. When language targets a protected attribute—or aims personal abuse at another member—it can be hidden or removed under the policy. In short: swearing about a film is fine; swearing at people is where trouble starts.
Context matters. A blunt line like “this edit totally sucks” aims at the work, so it usually stands. A line that aims a slur at a person crosses the rules. Think “punch up” at the movie or industry trend, not “punch down” at an identity. If you’re unsure, swap the target from a person to the craft: acting, script, staging, pacing, or effects.
What Gets Flagged Or Stays: Quick Guide
| Content | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Profanity about a film | Allowed | Fits everyday banter; keep it about the work. |
| General swearing in jokes | Allowed | Fine when not aimed at a person or group. |
| Slurs or coded hate | Removed | Zero tolerance under policy; report when seen. |
| Harassment or threats | Removed | Targeted abuse puts content in the bin. |
| Sexual explicitness in reviews | Case-by-case | Descriptive is okay; graphic targeting people isn’t. |
| Personal attacks at members | Hidden/Removed | Likely limited or deleted by moderators. |
| NSFW titles for lists | Allowed | Tone is fine; avoid hate or doxxing cues. |
How Moderation Works On The Site
Moderation runs on reports and staff review. A flagged line can be hidden from most readers first, then either restored, limited to followers, or removed. Off-platform behavior may also be weighed if it harms the safety of members. That’s why two writers can both use spicy language, yet only one post vanishes—the context and target differ.
You won’t see every action in real time. Mods read the line inside its full thread and history, then choose the least heavy touch that keeps the space safe. When the call is borderline, tone and intent often decide the outcome.
Etiquette That Keeps Your Voice And Your Post
Lean into craft-based notes: camera work, sound, effects, blocking, lighting, and edit rhythm. You can rant with gusto while keeping people out of the blast radius. When you quote a line from the film with a curse, set it off with quotes and keep spoilers behind the site’s spoiler tag. Riff, don’t target.
Short is punchy, but don’t leave only a curse and a star rating. Add a line that explains what you felt and why. That context protects your post by showing it’s about the work. If comments heat up, switch your comment controls or prune replies instead of firing back at a person.
Practical Do’s And Don’ts
Do write with the same voice you use with friends. Do steer clear of slurs in any form. Don’t tag cast or crew just to insult them. Don’t turn a thread into a personal feud. When you’re quoting dialogue with salty words, use quotation marks so it reads as a reference to the film.”
Where The Line Lives Legally And On Platform Rules
Terms of use ban promoting hate, inciting violence, or discriminatory content. Read the site policy and this short FAQ on moderation for official wording.
Terms of use ban promoting hate, inciting violence, or discriminatory content. The site policy makes the stance even plainer: creativity gets room to breathe; hate does not. That leaves lots of space for spicy adjectives about movies while holding a firm wall against slurs and targeted abuse.
If you see a review that crosses the line, use the flag on the post. Include a brief note so mods have context. Reporting speeds up the queue and helps separate a heated opinion from rule-breaking content.
Write A Punchy Review Without Crossing Lines
Start with your take in one line, then back it up. Pick one or two sharp descriptors to carry the tone. Swap direct insults at people for strong verbs about the work: “limps,” “drags,” “wastes a great premise,” or “nails the finale.” Drop in one spicy word if it fits the vibe, then move on to substance.
When anger is the point—say a franchise fumbled again—aim at the choices: weak direction, muddy sound, recycled arcs. That keeps the heat where it belongs. End with who will enjoy the film and who should skip it. Your voice stays intact, and your post stays up.
Comment Controls, Blocking, And Safety
You can limit who replies to you, delete replies under your post, and block bad actors. Those tools curb pile-ons and keep threads readable. If a stranger tags you only to stir trouble, mute and move on. Your time is better spent writing the next review.
If a rule breach targets you or someone else, report it. Moderation can restrict visibility for most readers while they review the case. Repeat issues may lead to stronger action across the account.
Examples That Usually Pass Or Fail
Fail: “Anyone who liked this is [slur].” Fail: “Director X deserves [threat].” Fail: replies that drag someone’s identity into the insult. Those aim at people, not the work, and they breach the policy.
Step-By-Step: Turning A Sweary Draft Into A Safe Post
- Read it once and delete any line aimed at a person’s identity.
- Swap a slur for a craft term: acting choice, script turn, or camera move.
- Quote dialogue with quotation marks; tag spoilers properly.
- Keep one spicy word if it adds tone; remove the rest.
- Add one sentence that explains the why behind your rating.
- Trim any baiting tags or jokes aimed at real people.
- Set your reply controls if a thread is likely to run hot.
Reporting And Appeals In A Nutshell
When a post is flagged, it may be hidden from most readers first. You can still reach it via a direct link or your followers may see it. If the call lands against you and you disagree, write a short, calm message when appealing. Point to context, such as a quote from the film or the lack of a target. Keep it factual and brief.
If moderation errs, posts do come back. The staff’s stated aim is the lightest touch that preserves safety. Clear context speeds that up.
Table Of Handy Tools
| Feature | Where | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Flag content | Under any post | Sends a report with context to moderators. |
| Reply limits | Profile settings & post options | Restricts who can comment on your posts. |
| Delete replies | Under your posts | Removes specific replies without nuking the thread. |
| Block or mute | Profile menu | Ends contact from an account across the site. |
| Spoiler tags | Composer toolbar | Hides spoilers so readers opt in. |
Edge Cases: Quotes, Acronyms, And Censoring
Quoting a line that contains a curse can be fine when the quote serves a point about tone, realism, or character. Put it in quotation marks and give context so it reads as commentary, not endorsement of a slur. When a script uses hate language, reference it without repeating the word. Dashes or asterisks make the point without carrying the harm.
Acronyms like “WTF” read softer than the full word, yet tone still matters when you aim it at a person. Creative spellings won’t dodge a slur filter. If your goal is rhythm, pick a spicy adjective and aim it at the craft. If your goal is a laugh, make the butt of the joke a trope, a plot hole, or your own reaction—not someone’s identity.
A Safe Template For A Punchy Review
Line 1: a blunt verdict. Line 2: what worked or failed, with one vivid detail. Line 3: the wider take—where it sits in a series or genre. Line 4: who will enjoy it and who should skip. If you want one salty word, tie it to the craft: pacing, arc, staging, mix, or CGI. Keep proper names out of the blast zone.
Sample paragraph: “A gripping opener fades into a messy back half. The lead sells the pain, but the edit keeps stepping on the beats, and the finale lands with a thud. Fans of slow-burn thrillers may vibe; everyone else can rewatch the one from 2018 instead.” That tone is firm, readable, and clean under the policy.
Common Situations And Quick Answers
Can you drop an f-bomb in a headline? Yes—if it isn’t a slur and doesn’t target a person, it usually stands. Can you swear at another member? No—that’s harassment. Can you quote a slur from a film for critique? Do it sparingly, with quotes, and never at a person. Can you roast a studio? Go for it; just keep people out of the crosshairs.
Can you curse in list descriptions? Yes, same line: keep slurs out and keep the target on the work. Can you post explicit sexual insults? That’s where takedowns happen, especially when pointed at a person. When a joke needs a target, choose the trope, not the viewer.
Final Pointers Before You Post
Aim heat at choices, flag slurs, and let craft lead clearly today. If a line feels iffy, aim it at the work, not people, and send a report when you see hate. Set reply limits on hot threads and get back to watching movies.